OK, Go supports Animal Rescue

It's Post Time

So my Papa was watching this very interesting video from OK Go.  There were lots of smart dogs in the video and Papa said that the group also supports animal rescue efforts.

So since the video was really cool, I thought I would post it for you.  Its from You Tube and you've probably already seen it.  Papa says it's very popular. But if you haven't you should watch.  These are the really fun things that humans do with dogs.  I like to focus on those, not the bad thigs humans do to dogs.

Here's the Video from OK Go, called White Knuckles



Here is a link to their site about animal rescue
http://www.okgo.net/dogs/

Here is a very cute parody of the above video with stuffed animals. It kis called Fuzzy Knuckles.  This is adorable.  Almost as adorable as me, but not quite.



And this last video is some mistakes that they made when trying to make the White Knuckles video.

Hope you have some fun with these.  

Keep your tail up and wagging!

-Katie

February 5 on the 5th

It's Post Time

Things that make me go, "HMMMMMMMMMMMMM!"

This month's 5 on the 5th was a general Reflection of things that are important to us.  I thought I would share with you some news stories that made me happy and sad, and talk a little bit about the relationships between animals and humans.  I have a great life and a happy home, but not all dogs do.  There are a lot of bad people who don't think of us as being living creatures with feelings or intelligence.  It makes me sad to think that there are people in the world who don't respect or appreciate all that dogs can do.  My Papa says that those people are stupid and selfish and I should feel sorry for them because they don't know any better.  They have to torture something else to make themselves feel better.  But I don't want to feel sorry for them.  If you ask me, I think that these people should not be allowed to interact or be in contact with animals.  Papa says they don't allow people who abuse children to be near children, and it makes sense to me that if people abuse animals, they should not be allowed to be near animals.

But anyway, it is not all bad.  So here are 5 stories that Papa read to me this week from the news that made me stop and think about how humans and animals are connected.  I will select my pictures from the web because they will show how I feel about the articles.

ONE

Unilever Ends Animal Testing On Lipton Tea Products After PETA Threatens Major Campaign

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/03/unilever-ends-animal-test_n_818225.html

This was a good thing.  For many years this company that makes Tea was looking for some reason to promote the healthiness of drinking tea.  So they made pigs and rabbits sick , made them drink tea to see if they got better.

What a terrible thing to do.  With all the problems in the world and people and animals suffering for no reason, to do it on purpose is horrible.

I chose this picture because it really shows how I feel about all this animal testing stuff.  You should test on yourself and leave innocent animals alone.   It would be a better world if the CEOs of companies had to do the testing on themselves.  They might actually earn all the money they make, instead of making decisions that affect the lives of animals they don't even know anything about.

I am glad they stopped.  I only hope they realize what terrible people they are.


TWO

100 Sled Dogs Killed In British Columbia Due To Slump In Tourism

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/100-sled-dogs-slaughtered_n_816462.html

 I wanted to use a picture of beautiful dogs, but this one really got my attention.  Sled dogs are hard working dogs and many suffer and die to protect their humans.  But a corporation, like the last one, felt that they didn't want to keep the dogs alive with no one to buy sledding trips.  All of a sudden the lives of those hard working dogs were worthless in their eyes.  And what is worse, is they told the employees to shoot them.  They wouldn't even spend the money on a humane way to try to get the dogs adopted or even put them to sleep humanely.  They were shot, in cold blood.
More terrible corporations.

THREE

Pet Owners: Can Sleeping With Your Pet Make You Sick?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sophia-yin/pet-owners-sleeping-with-your-pet-can-make-_b_816138.html

 For a long time people thought that sleeping with your companion animals can make you sick.  But this new research study shows it isn't true!

My brother sleeps with my humans all the time..  I get to sometimes.  Papa says it is because I am so big and take up so much room.  I chose this picture because I think that we can work out an arrangement that would make everyone happy.  The dog in this picture is obviously a bigger dog, like myself.  Oh, I am not fat, I am just big boned.  But still, even though I have long legs, I think that we all can fit in the bed safely and maintain our health.  As long as no one has a cold.  I mean, if you are sick or have fleas, it isn't good to sleep with humans or dogs, because some things just can transmit.

FOUR

Michael Vick's Dogs: Pit Bulls Make Slow And Painful Recovery

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/michael-vick-dogs-pit-bulls_n_816246.html#s232910

Using dogs for sports is never a good idea.  You all know that I was a racer and didn't really like it.  And racing dogs are not treated badly, when they are racing.  But afterward, it really depends on how bad the owner is.  Once again, it is easy for some corporation to just dispose of the dogs.  Dog fighting is very different.  It takes a really bad person to train dogs to be violent and make them fight other dogs.  No dog ever wins in that situation.

I didn't want to bring in a bad picture, but I chose this one because even though it's horrible, you can see how loving the dog is, just by looking into his eyes.  He didn't want to hurt another dog, and really doesn't want to be hurt himself.  It's just that bad people make slaves of animals for their own pleasure.  It's disgusting.

FIVE

Cancer-Sniffing Dog Trained By Scientists

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/01/cancer-sniffing-dog_n_816961.html
  

I wanted to end on a happy note.  We can be useful to humans in more ways than just unwillingly helping them make money.  We do have talents that can be used to help improve the human condition. 
Dogs have really great senses of smell.  We can smell many things.  It's how we communicate with each other and understand our surroundings.  We can smell all kinds of things, including the presence of cancer cells in your breath or urine!  You see, it is not that we don't want to be working dogs, or that we don't want to help you.  We do.  Many dogs are not happy unless they have something to do. Personally, I am not one of those dogs.  I want a nice place to lay down and I want to be able to see my humans and know what's going on.  But I don't want to work.  But there are dogs that do.  And we can be helpful to humans, if you let us.  It's just that you shouldn't have to torture, hurt, or kill us to make us useful.  I chose this picture because this is a proud dog who should get the recognition he or she deserves.


And that's what I have been thinking about this month for 5 of the 5th!

Keep your tail up and wagging!

-Katie

There's More to Me than Speed...and Beauty....

It's Post Time

I just got back from a very nice walk with Daddy, Pappa, and my brother.  It was such a great time.  It ws snowing, and I really like walking around the town in the snow.  It was a little chilly, but I had my warm coat on and didn't feel the cold at all.

I saw this video on "A Bit of Loki", Proof Greyhounds are Smart,  and really liked it.  It shows you just how smart we greyhounds are.  And one of the doggies in the pound looks just like me!  That was cool. Besides, I can do the same thing as the puppy in the video.  There are a lot of gates around my house that are supposed to keep my brother and I away from our other brother, George.  For some strange reason, Nicky doesn't like George, but I can't figure out why.  I can open the gate myself sometimes, but often don't bother because Nicky will just chase George and get everyone into trouble.  I feel that it is best if Nick doesn't know I can open the gates, and just leave well enough alone.

Watch Intelligent Dog on You Tube.

And the best thing ever is that the puppy got adopted.  I hope he got a great set of humans like I did.  I really lucked out with mine and would not give them up for anything.

Here's another video of the Top 10 Smartest Dogs.  I wonder why my breed isn't on the list? Oh well, I know there are other kinds of puppies that are smarter than my kind.  But that's OK.  It's fine to be average.  I'm OK with that.



Oh well, I I am getting tired and should go lay down for a bit now.  The couch is calling me and Nicky isn't on it, so I can get comfortable before he knows I am there.  All this typing has made me sleepy.  Until next time...

Keep your tail up and wagging!

-Katie

Want a Puppy for Christmas? Katie says adopt!

It's Post Time

Hi everyone. I want to share some good news with you and also, take the time to ask you to do me a favor this holiday season.

First the good news.

My Papa made me a very warm coat.  I just love it.  My other coat that papa made from one of his sweatshirts is very cool, and I love it,.  But as it got colder outside, I really was starting to get cold in that coat.  I wanted something warmer so I could enjoy our family walks.  So Papa made me a nice warm coat.  I love the diamond pattern and it has two layers of fuzzy material that is very warm.  And it makes me look very pretty.  I'll model it for you. 

What do you think?

And now for something a little more serious...

I know that holidays are a popular time for getting pets for your kids. believe me, I understand how important it is for dogs to have people and for people to have dogs. I get that. But I am going to ask that you adopt a shelter dog, rather than buy one from a puppy mill or a pet store. Please. It is so important. There are millions of unwanted and wonderful dogs out there who just want a home and someone to love. I know. I am one of those dogs. I was bred in a puppy mill for racing dogs, and when showed that I had too much independence and would not run fast just to beat other dogs in a race, I was discarded. I was lucky because I was allowed to go to a shelter. But that shelter was overcrowded, and I was moved to another shelter. I finally met my new parents in a lucky turn of events that doesn't happen to every dog. Most dogs get overlooked, or missed, or ignored. As shelters get over crowded, they kill those dogs who take too long to get adopted so they can make room for others who might. It's an awful experience.

On the other hand, I understand the need for some people to get a puppy who they could raise and train from a a young age. That's all well and good, but all dogs can be trained, at any age. And baby puppies don't know how to go potty outside like already trained, shelter dogs do. So you can eliminate the need for potty training and work exclusively on the obedience training. Now just between you and me, some dogs take to training more than others. I know that I can sometimes be a handful for my daddy and he gets impatient because I don't listen. But it isn't because I am stupid or don't understand. It's that I am stubborn sometimes and forget that I should listen and be good. I want to listen, but sometimes I just don't. But that's just as try for puppies, even more because they don't have the experiences that shelter dogs do. And shelter dogs are so much more grateful.

So please, if you plan on giving a companion animal as a gift this year, please adopt, not buy. It would make a formerly unwanted dog like me, very happy. and you can make them a pretty new coat and they will love you for it forever.

Here's an ad from Peta that makes my point a little sharper!

Well, what did you think? Pretty interesting ad, but the dogs in bags makes me very sad.

Here are a few stories you might want to read about adopting dogs from shelters.

Reasons to Adopt a Dog and Myths About Shelter Adoptions

The Pope, Peta, and Overpopulation - Ingrid Newkirk

Peta's Everyday Dogs Ad to Promote Adopotion

5 Myths About Adopting Shelter Dogs

Puppy Mills from the Humane Society

I hope you read over these stories on the internet and get a better understanding of just how wonderful shelter dogs are.  All we want is a chance to love someone. And sometimes we may need a little extra effort, but you should excuse us for that.  It's not our fault.  We were all abandoned by those we loved unconditionally at one time or another.  That's kind of hard to bear for a little puppy.  So if you're going to get a puppy or a dog from either a shelter or a store, make sure you want it for real.

Well, have a nice holiday season.  I hope you can enjoy the new year with a new companion animal from your local shelter.  It'll be your best holiday ever.  I promise.  And I don't lie.

Keep your tail up and wagging!

-Katie

A Dog Teaches Kids About Fires

It's Post Time

Sparkles, the Wonder dog!  My daddy showed me this story about a rescued dog that is a fireman!  The dog looks a little like my brother, Nicky.  But the point I want to make is that dogs can be valuable and contributing members of our society, if we give them a chance.  All we want is a home and people who love us.  Watch this little movie about Sparkles.  He's my new hero.

To find out more about Sparkles, read the story, Rescued Dog "Sparkles" Teaches Children About Fire Safety on the Huffington Post.

I hope that when you are thinking about getting a companion animal, you'll think about adopting or rescuing a dog.  There are plenty of dogs out there who need good homes and people to love and who will love them.  We're very loyal and we will listen when you tell us what to do.

Keep your tail up and wagging!

-Katie

December 5 on the 5th

It's Post Time

Wow!  It's been two whole months since I wrote something.  My family has been very busy with all kinds of things, so Papa hasn't had a lot of time to help me write any stories for you.  Plus, I have been so busy moving from comfy places on my couches and beds, that I just can't seem to find the time to do anything, let alone write.

from Stephen's Blog: State of the Nation: UK

But I do like to take pictures, so I try to have something on the fifth for pictures.  papa was able to help me reach the higher places, but I was able to choose the pictures I wanted to show you.  This month's theme is faces, I remember.  And Daddy put up some of the holiday trees with all the shiny ornaments.  I decided to share some of the holiday ornaments that had faces on them.  Sometimes I did not understand what I was looking at, but Papa helped me out and told me what they were. 

So here are my 5 pictures of faces on the 5th of December.  Hope you like them.

Here is #1.   I like this ornament the best because it was a little doggy like me.  Papa told me his name is Snoopy.  Papa used to hang Snoopy in his car when he was in school. Snoopy and Papa have been together for a very long time.  Now, he hangs on one of the trees each year for the holidays.

This is #2.  I liked this little man.  He has glasses like Papa and se sort of reminded me of my Papa.  Papa says he's been around for a very long time, too.  He never was hanging in the car, but he has been on the holiday trees for many seasons.

This is #3.  This is a strange little man that Daddy says is called Santa Claus.  Santa brings toys to good girls and boys during the holidays.  If I am a good girl, then Santa will bring me a good present that I can enjoy.  I hope it's a chewy bone, or a new squeaky toy.  I bit all my squeak toys too hard and Papa says that's why they don't make noise anymore.  So I hope I get squeaky toy for Christmas.

This one is #4.  He's a soldier man.  Papa says he's a representation of a nutcracker.  Papa says people can't just bite their nuts open like I can.  They have to use tools to get them open.  I don't know why they don't just bite down really hard.  I can break lots of things if I do that, even nuts.  But Papa says that nuts are too hard for humans.  He says these nutcracker machines are used around the holidays because people serve nuts to guests as a special treat.  I guess nuts were not always as easy to get as they seem to be now.  Daddy even can get them without any shells at all.  So this nutcracker ornament sort of confuses me...just a bit.

For #5, my last picture, I took another picture of Santa.  I chose this one because it's completely different from the other Santa picture I took.  That was strange.  Both Santa's have white fur on their head and face, and that's where the similarities end.  One Santa is very thin, the other is fatter.  This Santa is wearing green, while the other is wearing red.  I don't know how you can tell they are both Santa.  I guess maybe Santa doesn't wear a uniform of some kind.  I used to have to wear a uniform when I raced.  But they weren't always the same colors or numbers on them.  So I guess I understand that you just have to know who Santa is.  You can't tell by his uniform.

Well, that's all the pictures I have for faces.  Maybe I will share one picture of me, so you can see me.  This is one of my favorite places.  I am on my couch in the living room. 

Hope you all have a nice holiday season and get plenty of squeaky toys to play with.

Keep your tail up and wagging!

-Katie

My Five on the Fifth

It's Post Time

Papa asked me to take pictures of round things.  I found 5 round things around the house that I love.  Here they are for you.

First, I love my food dish.  This is a picture of the dish when it doesn't look so good.  It looks way better when it is full with food.

The next thing I love is my Moo Moo Cow ball.  It is soft and fuzzy and I love to carry it around with me.

My next picture is also of a favorite toy.  I love my orange squeaky ball.  It has funny ears and feet, too. And it makes great noises when I bite it.

The next round thing I love is Papa's coffee.  Papa doesn't like it when I love his coffee, but it's yummy!

Finally, I love this cool looking thing on the counter.  It makes pretty music and I see it when I counter surf.  I can't quite reach it, but I owuld very much like to take it to my bed and keep it there.  I guess the whole thing isn't really round, but I like the round part of it the best.

Hope you enjoyed looking at the five round things I love.

Keep your tail up and wagging!

-Katie