2008-2009 Blog - What's New at Almost Heaven

by Kat's Pack

DISCLAIMER: All data and information provided here is for informational purposes only. Opinions and comments, if expressed, are those of Kat's Pack and does not mean endorsement by Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc. AHGRR&S is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information supplied by Kat's Pack. While every caution has been taken to provide readers with accurate information, please use your discretion before making any decisions based on the information provided in this weblog. Kat's Pack and AHGRR&S will not compensate you in any way whatsoever if you ever happen to suffer loss, inconvenience, or damage because of or while making use of information contained in this weblog or its archives.

Pollyanna, Autumn, Gretchen, Hank and Sandie have each found new forever families.

Help Almost Heaven by searching the web using GoodSearch.com and each time you do a search, GoodSearch will donate a penny to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc.! GoodSearch keywords to search for Web This Site

Mickey found his new forever family.

Teddy found his new forever family.

Our sweet Snoop went to Rainbow Bridge today. We shall miss him dearly. Snoop is added to Our Rainbow Bridge and Memorials pages. Rest in Peace sweet boy. You will be dearly missed.

We have three new Almost Heaven Goldens seeking a warm and loving forever home:

Gunner

Barney

Sable

Charlie went to Rainbow Bridge today. We wish we could have given him the life he deserved. Charlie is added to Our Rainbow Bridge and Memorials pages. Rest in Peace sweet and gentle boy.

It's a "ruff" economy and some pet owners are cutting costs by skipping pet checkups. Checkups assist in finding health issues that pet owners may be unaware of. "That’s why the Help Your Pet, Get to the Vet Campaign by Advantage® has a mission to help offset pet care costs by distributing more than $250,000 in Veterinary Vouchers to provide financial relief, along with valuable information, to help you take care of your cat or dog" (2009, Bayer HealthCare LLC).

"From February 16- 28, 2009, dog and cat owners have a chance to receive a $20 Veterinary Voucher good toward preventive veterinary care (vaccinations, wellness exams, flea and tick treatment and prevention, heartworm preventative, dental care, etc.). Vouchers available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM ET every hour on the hour, up to 1,000 distributed each day. No purchase necessary to obtain voucher" (Bayer).

We have two new Almost Heaven Goldens seeking a warm and loving forever home:

Pollyanna

Albert

Almost Heaven has "in memorial" or "in honor" cards available to anyone who makes a donation and would like notification sent to someone. These are not fancy, but they are personalized as we print them individually for each person. All we need from the donor is the wording you would like on your card, and the name and address to send it to. In addition to the card, your memorial will also be posted on our donors webpage, and if you wish to sponsor a dog in memorial or in honor of someone, we will post that information along with your name next to the animal you sponsor. Remember - these gifts can be for a birthday, anniversary, graduation - just about anything. And, they would be so appreciated here. The inside of the card can be modified to fit any occasion and individual situations. You can order through PayPal using the "donation" button below or mail request to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue, P.O. Drawer D, Delray, WV 26714

Golden Angel Catherine (Kitty) Sweeney is wrapping her warm and loving angel wings around Chewie. Find out how you can become an Almost Heaven Golden Angel too.

Golden Angel Marguerite Tweed is wrapping her gentle and caring angel wings around Bettie. Find out how you can become an Almost Heaven Golden Angel too.

Sophie is an Almost Heaven Happy Ending! She looks pawsitively Marvelous in the photo her family sent us. Visit Almost Heaven's Happy Endings Page to read the wonderful update her family has shared.

Bear Bear & Gabe are Almost Heaven Golden Wannabees seeking a warm and loving forever home:

Bear Bear

Little Buddy

Brick, Casey and Hunter have each found new forever families.

The Pack fetched up something new for Mom to look into. It seems they want to join the Dog Scouts of America. Huh? It seems Dog Scouts of America (DSA) is an non-protfit organization dedicated to teaching us to become responsible pooch parents. The goal "is to help every dog parent value their canine companion even more, and deepen the bond they have with their dog" with programs available for all ages to participate. The Dog Scouts of America offers: oodles of informational resources, opportunity to earn merit badges, certification programs, camps and a junior scout program for kids. The Pack is onto something here, so I checked for troops in the Washington, DC area. There are two listed in Virginia: DSA Troop 185 in Loudon and Clark County and DSA Troop 148 (no website available) in Sperryville. None listed in Maryland, West Virginia and Washington, DC. Of course, there is an option to Start a troop if one does not exist in your area.

Our darling Dusty went to Rainbow Bridge today. Although brief, we are happy Dusty was able experience a loving forever home with the Clayberger family before he passed on. Dusty is added to Our Rainbow Bridge and Memorials pages. Rest in Peace sweet boy. You will be dearly missed.

Since the melanine pet food recalls began in 2007, many people are feeding their pets homemade pet food. As a word of precaution, your furry friends have specific nurtitional requirements and can become ill from homemade food if nutritional needs are not met. To keep your furry friend healthy, it is wise to seek the advice of a nutritionist certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition or get assistance from web sites like www.balanceit.com or www.petdiets.com.

Luke is a new Almost Heaven arrival seeking a forever home. To learn more about Luke click HERE.

Gretchen found her new forever family.

We have four new Almost Heaven Goldens seeking a warm and loving forever home:

Gretchen

Hunter

Sandie

Chewie

"For example, do you know the difference between meat and meat meal? Some reports indicate that road kill, dead zoo animals, and euthanized cats and dogs are included in meat meal found in pet food. Traces of pentobarbital, a drug used in euthanasia, has been found in dog food." Read Understanding pet food labels by Teri Webster (Pet Examiner, January 22, 2009) to understand why "the ingredients on pet product labels is more important than ever."

Graphic provided by Bordersets by Inge

CNewspubs.com: "NEW YORK—In response to recent reports regarding the growing trend of Internet scammers offering purebred puppies for “free to good homes,” the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) offers potential pet parents some valuable tips to avoid such scams" (January 26, 2009) "An informal online survey conducted by the ASPCA reveals that just as many Americans are now purchasing their dogs over the Internet as buying from pet stores. That said, according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, hundreds of complaints are filed every year from victims who were scammed when buying a dog online." Read Buyers Beware: Debunking Puppy Scams (ASPCA, January 2009) to read about some of the most common scam scenarios predators use on consumers.

Little Buddy, Ruby, Rory, Atticus, Wrigley and Austin have each found new forever families.

Pet Insurance, we have to wonder.... Is it worth getting? Research is the best way to make an informed decision. For various viewpoints check out the following articles:

- Is Pet Health Insurance Worth the Price? We Take Out Policies On 2 Cats and 2 Dogs by Suzanne Barlyn (Wall Street Journal, March 13, 2008)

- Pet health policies: Are they worth it? by Sheila Dichoso (Medill Reports, January 22, 2009)

- Is a Policy on Your Pet the Best Deal? by Jessica Leshnoff (AARP, November 2008)

- Is Pet Health Insurance Worth It? by Shirley F. Polworth, EA, CFPTM (New England Federal Credit Union, January 2009)

- Pet Health Insurance Policy - Don't Make a Costly Mistake. "What to check before you but a Pet Health Insurance Policy" by Jeff Clearstream (EzineArticles.com, January 2009).

Note: We purposely left out articles provided by pet insurance providers, for obvious reasons.

"NEW YORK -– In response to the Food and Drug Administration's recall of peanut butter products after determining a nationwide Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak, PetSmart issued a voluntary recall of seven Grreat Choice dog biscuit products on Tuesday." Read the Pet Pulse Staff Report
"PetSmart Recalls Biscuits after FDA Warning" (January 21, 2009).

A searchable list of all pet food products involved in the recall can be found at FDA.gov.

We have three new Almost Heaven Goldens seeking a warm and loving forever home:

Atticus

Wrigley

Taffie

Golden Angel Deborah Hirst is wrapping her warm and caring angel wings around Brick and Casey. Find out how you can become an Almost Heaven Golden Angel too.

Veza found her loving forever home.

Justice & Little Buddy are Almost Heaven Goldens seeking a warm and loving forever home:

Justice

Little Buddy

It is mighty cold and The Pack wants Mom to start thinking about vacation. Somewhere warm and dog friendly. Never ceasing to amaze me; they find Amy Sowder's article about Dog Beach in Bonita Springs, FL. No Leash, Sand & Beach read more in the article "Dog Beach makes splash with canines" (News-Press.com, Jan. 16, 2008).

They also located a website solely dedicated to finding the perfect canine-friendly vacation spot. "Need help deciding where to bring Fido on vacation this year?" Check out BringFido.com.

Dusty and Nan have each found new forever families.

The Pack is itching to get out and about but Mom says its just too darned cold outside. Never to be outdown they told me they found a workaround....Dogtopia Indoor Dog Park!

On Saturdays from 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM you can take your canine companians to Dogtopia indoor dog park located in North Bethesda, MD. Open to the public, it has 100% climate-controlled rooms with padded rubber flooring, play equipment, and wide open space, your dog can run, play, and wrestle to their heart’s content! $10.00 per dog. Owners must sign a waiver certifying that their dog is up to date on vaccinations and in good health.

Ellie, Edie, Sophie May and Owen have each found new forever families.

We have two new Almost Heaven Goldens seeking a warm and loving forever home:

Ruby

Nan

Nick Lough reports "De-icer is a common product used to clear snow and ice from sidewalks and driveways. But if used improperly, it can be harmful to pets and the ground"...find out more in his article "De-Icer Bad for Pets" (KULR-8 Television, Jan. 7, 2009).

"Utah store has bone to pick with shoplifting dog Grocery manager confronts purloining pooch, who high-tails it"
MURRAY, Utah — A thief remains at large after pulling off a daring heist — in the pet food aisle. Surveillance video at a supermarket in this Salt Lake City suburb caught a dog shoplifting, KSL-TV reported Wednesday. The video showed the dog walking in the front door of Smith's Food & Drug in Murray, and heading straight to Aisle 16, the pet food aisle, where it grabbed a bone worth $2.79. The thief wasn't even perturbed by a face-to-face confrontation with store manager Roger Adamson. "I looked at him. I said, 'Drop it!' " Adamson said. "He looked at me, and I looked at him, and he ran for the door and away he went, right out the front door" (Associated Press, Dec. 25, 2008).

Check out the VIDEO as Amy Robach reports for MSNBC.com.

Golden Angel Richard Phillips is wrapping his strong and protective angel wings around Bettie and Golden Angels Liz & Christopher Shames are wrapping their warm and caring angel wings around Lizzie "in memory of Gabe our most beautiful, beloved, CCI Golden Service Dog." Find out how you can become an Almost Heaven Golden Angel too.

"With gas and groceries taking an ever-bigger bite out of family budgets, we’re all looking for ways to economize. That means saving on pet care, too. You’ll want to buy smart, but most important, focus on prevention. By keeping your animals healthy and avoiding expensive procedures, you can slash what you spend on your pets without short-changing their health." Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori article shares 7 ways you can reduce expenses in their article "Save Money On Pet Care" (ParadeNet, Sept. 14, 2008).

PetDoc.com

For more ways to save also read: Jonathan Baker's article "10 tips to save money on pet care" (PetDoc.com, 2008) Others are invited to share their ideas when Gina Spadafori asks "How do YOU save money on pet care?" (PetConnection.com, August 15, 2008). Dr. Janet Tobiassen Crosby's articles "Ways to Save Money on Pet Care and Vet Bills: Every little bit counts" and "My pet is sick, and I can't afford to go to the vet: Ideas and options for sick pets in financially tough times " (About.com, 2008). Dr. Holly Nash's article "Making a First Aid Kit for Your Dog" (Veterinary Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc., 2008).

We have three new Almost Heaven Goldens seeking a warm and loving forever home:

Edie

Sophie May

Ellie

Golden Angel Niall Roche is wrapping warm and caring angel wings around Brody In Memory of Jeanette A. Byrne. Find out how you can become an Almost Heaven Golden Angel too.

Tipsy found his loving forever home.

We have three Almost Heaven Goldens seeking a sponsorship Angel and, once they've recovered, a loving forever home:

Brody

Bettie (golden wannabee) Golden Retriever, Labrador, Hound mix

Rory

Wishing You Peace, Prosperity & Happiness in the New Year Ahead. Happy 2009!!!

Katie's parents wrote to tell us she passed away a couple of days before Thanksgiving. We were saddened by the news but uplifted by the wonderful letter and photos her parents sent sharing the adventures and wonderful memories they created together. We've are sharing parts of the Parlatore's heartwarming and poignant letter:

"She did indeed rescue us as much as we provided a home for her. Katie has a magnificent last chapter to her life. She instantly fell in love with Laurene and the two were inseparable. Every morning they would go on a two-mile walk around our neighborhood, a big loop where she would see our neighbors who also walk the loop in the morning. Katie spent every minute of every day at Laurene's side, so much so that we think Katie thought of Laurene as the 'Mommy Lama.'

...Last January she joined us as we took our boat south to the Florida Keys from Annapolis. Katie walked everywhere, and we got her several sets of boots for her back legs. The boots kept her from scuffing her paws, as she tended to drag her hind legs after awhile. She would bark at the pelicans that swooped down by the boat, as if she was determined to clear the skies of these creatures. She loved to explore the Keys around Marathon and Islamorada, as well as strutting around South Miami Beach. While she was a country girl from West Virginia, she loved the activity of South Beach. We would walk in the morning and stop at an outside cafe for breakfast, Katie happily curled up unless there was food nearby.

She had a wonderful spring and summer at our home in Annapolis, alternating between working in the garden with Laurene, heading out on Chesapeake Bay on weekend adventures, and she always loved to meet new people and dogs... She became a kind of Katherine Hepburn, a classy, smart, sweet old lady who knew what she wanted and didn't have a problem communicating that."

We are so happy Katie found such a loving forever home with Laurene & Bill Parlatore. Katie is added to Our Rainbow Bridge and Memorials pages.

Photo by Roman Fleysher at PetFlight.com

It seems at least one is! The Pack, fuming, insisted I check out Christy Lynn Wilson's article "Airlines leaning on pet owners" (Journal-Constitution, Wednesday, December 24, 2008). When Christy traveled home for the holidays this year on Delta Airlines she noticed "it now costs more to put my dog in my own foot space than to buy myself a coach seat. And didn’t I already pay for that foot space when I bought my ticket?" Christy makes an excellent observation when she points out: "you need to ask yourself one question: Who will be next? Perhaps those of you who bring a laptop on board will soon be charged a 'technology accommodation'fee. Those of you with a little extra girth should be on the lookout for a 'seatbelt extension fee.'And lefties, can an 'irregular handedness charge'be far behind?" I can understand why The Pack flew off the handle. Why shouldn't they fly in the comfort of their very own seat if it it costs just as much, if not more, to be stuffed under a seat???"

The Pack suggests trying to make their trip as safe as possible by checking out a website like PetFlight.com for information on traveling with your pet. We visited PetFlight's website to get a general idea what the going rates were for flying with your pet and found you should click on the airline links they provide to get the most up-to-date price information. It appears many have "jumped" since they were last posted. We did find PetFlight's Airline Pet Travel Reports providing information incident lists and types to assist in you choosing the safest airline for your pet's travel.

Logan found his loving forever home for the new year.

The FDA cautions consumers of a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products (e.g., chicken tenders, strips or treats). Pet owners that feed their dogs chicken jerky products should watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs which may occur within hours to days of feeding the product: decreased appetite, although some may continue to consume the treats to the exclusion of other foods; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.

The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html in their state (Preliminary Animal Health Notification, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine, December 19, 2008).

Harley, Sammy, and O'Sam each found a loving forever home for the new year.

We have two new Almost Heaven Goldens seeking a warm forever home for the new year:

Harley

Stacey

Both Marlee and Sassee found a loving forever home for the new year.

Golden Angels Liz & Christopher Shames are wrapping their warm and caring angel wings around Lizzie. Golden Angel Mary M. Wightman is wrapping her gentle caring angel wings around Andy. Golden Angel Jeanne Illenye is wrapping her warm and caring angel wings around Dusty. Find out how you can become an Almost Heaven Golden Angel too.

Bubba is an Almost Heaven Happy Ending! He is styling it in his custom shades and denim ball cap ... He's the epitome of "COOL," don't you think? Visit Almost Heaven's Happy Endings Page to read Bubba's holiday update, in his own words.

Marley & Me debuts December 25, 2008. Starring Jennifer Anniston and Owen Wilson and a very cute yellow Labrador retriever as the Grogan family. The heartwarming and unforgettable story of a family that learns important life lessons from their adorable, but naughty and neurotic dog. Visit the official website to to purchase Marley & Me movie tickets, view trailers or download Marley freebies that include wallpapers, screensavers and Marley MOGreets.

AFP/File – Gareth O'Connor holds his friend's dog 'Spanky' as he sits in his pet ambulance in Sydney. …

"In Australia, the 24-hour pet ambulance service is for pet owners unable to get their animals to help when an emergency arises. 'Despite the impact of the credit crunch, the trend towards personal pet care ... still points towards a change in the way Australians view their pets', said veterinarian Dr Katrina Warren. 'They are often substitute children, they are definitely treated as part of the family. And now that they are accepted as part of the family we absolutely spoil and treat them.' Often the ambulance is called by owners who are so upset about their sick pets they are unable to drive it to an animal hospital or even explain what is wrong with it" (Australian pet ambulance finds a growing niche by Glenda Richard Glenda Richard, Sydney-AFP, Dec 17, 2008).

My Pack says this is great news for pooches in Australia, but what about here in the good ol' U.S.A.? (Translation: The pack is concerned and wants Mom to find out if a similar service is available to them should the need arise). Hmmmm.... Sadly, Mom didn't find this type of service in the DC metropolitan area. Pet ambulatory services do exist in the U.S. - - However, the only ones we found are:

So why not the DC area???

All is not hopeless, we did find a pet transportation service VetTAXI that offers pet transportation, not emergency care, to and from most locations in the Washington DC metropolitan area, including specialty clinics located outside the immediate region.

Golden Angel Jeanne Illenye is wrapping her warm and caring angel wings around Dusty. Find out how you can become an Almost Heaven Golden Angel too.

Zeus is an Almost Heaven Happy Ending! He looks very comfortable and at home posing with part of his new family in this photo they sent. Visit Almost Heaven's Happy Endings Page to read the wonderful update his new family has shared.

Golden Angel Juanita Spehnkouch is wrapping her warm and compassionate angel wings around Shiloh. Find out how you can become an Almost Heaven Golden Angel too.

These are some of the new Almost Heaven Goldens seeking a warm forever home for the holiday season:

Brick & Casey (bonded pair)

Logan

Cody

Hank

Almost heaven is always being called upon to help Golden and Golden Mixes that include many Seniors and Special Needs dogs. If you would like to help save a life ... and can afford to assist with boarding expenses ... we (and the furkids) would be most appreciative of your help! Brody and Shiloh are the newest additions in need of assistance. Click HERE to find out more about them and how you can help.

Sadie found a loving forever home for the holidays.

The Pack....again....threw an article my way. They always work on keeping their human 'informed.' I have to admit, although I have suspected it to be true for quite some time, it came out of the blue that they felt they had to rub my nose in it. Had to grin, assuming it had something to do with the upcoming holiday season (maybe a "hint hint when it came to purchasing their gifts?").

In the article "Studies show dogs have sense of fairness" RandolphE. Schmid writes,"No fair! What parent hasn't heard that from a child who thinks another youngster got more of something? Well, it turns out dogs can react the same way. Ask them to do a trick and they'll give it a try. For a reward, sausage say, they'll happily keep at it. But if one dog gets no reward, and then sees another get sausage for doing the same trick, just try to get the first one to do it again. Indeed, he may even turn away and refuse to look at you" (The Associated Press, December 8, 2008).

Golden Angels Brent and Debbie Bush are wrapping their caring and compassionate angel wings around Teddy. Find out how you can become an Almost Heaven Golden Angel too.

It's difficult to think about leaving your canine companion at home while you are off visiting family and friends this holiday season. Make the holidays easier on all concerned by planning ahead ... check out the articles "Traveling with Your Pet: A Quick Checklist for Pet Owners" (PetFriendly.ca), "Pet Friendly Travel 10 Tips for Hassle-Free Travel with Your Pet" (David Buster) and "The Jet Set Pet: Tips on Traveling Anywhere with Your Dog or Cat" (ARA).

JogADog.com

The The Baltimore Sun has a collection of photos entitled "The craziest pet stuff on the Web" that is definitely worth checking out. "Whether you're looking at cat wigs or doggie wedding cakes or a training course for your goldfish, you have plenty of weird ways to spend money on your pet. We're all well aware that people spend lots of money on their pets -- designer clothes, organic foods, spa treatments. But here are a few items that you may not know were even available for pets. Remember, we don't endorse 'em. We just report them." (Deborah Netburn, Times staff writer).

Both Daisee and Zeus each found a loving forever home for the holidays.

Another holiday miscalculation.... Walk in the room to find the tree toppled over and pooches attempting to devour ornaments. Did it look smell, look or taste like food? I still (not so fondly) think of the year I purchased my 1st pre-lit tree. It was a beauty until I came home to find The Pack gnawed basically all the ends of the plugs off the tree. Thank heavens it was not plugged in at the time. Needless to say, the "pre-lit" option was gone. We stopped getting the "real" trees long ago...since some canine companions like to add their scent to nature. Hmmmm... What to do?

We've dealt with this problem by purchasing yet another pre-lit artificial tree and setting it up in the formal living room with a baby gate blocking one entrance and French doors closed at the other.

How do others deal with this dilemma? These are the answers we've been given:

1. Set up a barricade around the tree.

2. Use a table top Christmas tree.

3. Tape the electrical cords of your Christmas tree lights to the wall so your pet won't chew them.

4. Attach the tree securely to a window or wall with something like fish line.

These items should be avoided since they can harmful to pets:

- Tinsel: Your pet can choke on it or it may cause intestinal blockages. Additionally, some of the older tinsel contains lead.

- Bows & Ribbons: Look like toys but your pet can choke on them.

- Electrical cords: Chewing can burn the mouth or cause electrocution

- Mistletoe, poinsettias and holly: They can cause heartbeat and blood pressure to drop.

Tippy and Alfred list other dangers your dog can encounter with a Christmas tree in the article "The Dangers to your Dog from your Christmas Tree." Also check out the more indepth article "Holiday Safety Tips for Dogs" by Marty Smith, DVM (Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.)

Sadie is a new Almost Heaven arrival seeking a forever home. To learn more about Sadie click HERE.

Golden Angel Kristen Carter is wrapping her gentle angel wings around Teddy and Golden Angel Robert Burns is wrapping his protective wings around Sammy . Find out how you can become an Almost Heaven Golden Angel too.

The pack ran across a 'must read' collection of tips for keeping them happy during the holiday season and beyond. "Smiling all the way" presents (no pun intended) a list of 10 tips to keep your pet happy and smiling this holiday season. Dr. Don Palermo states, "The holiday season is here and this is the time that we can do something special for our pets....make the holiday season a special event for our four-legged friends" (projo.com, December 3, 2008).

More Great Almost Heaven Golden Retrievers seeking a warm home for the holiday season:

Winslow

Buddy

Chance

O'Sam

Cody

"A new, monthly 4-color pet and animal wildlife publication (DAISY’S PAW PRINT NEWS) was inspired by the unconditional love of one family's adopted Golden Retriever"...read the Kansas City infoZine article "Family's Adopted Golden Retriever Inspires Home-based Business" by Debby Simon (November 30, 2008).

Looking for a reasonable holiday gift for the pets in your life? Why not a little something made from the heart and hands? Homemade treats! We found a lot a FREE recipes for pet treats online. Just seal the treats in a ziplock baggy and present in decorative tins, gift bags or be creative and decorate your own lunch bag, basket or small box.

Make your own Pet Treat Container from Kaboose.com
Make sure that your pets only have treats when you want them to with this pet treat container craft.

DogPaw Stocking from DisneyFamily.com
"Cut your family's furriest friend in on the action -- this stocking's big enough to hold a bone that will last all day."
(Kat's Pack Commentary: The pack says these definitely should be personalized with the pet's name. They always fear their treats will get mixed up. Suggest embroidery or puffy paints - glitter & glue is cool but messy!)

Dog Food & Treat Recipes from RecipeSource
Oodles of recipes available. RecipeSource is the new home of The Searchable Online Archive of Recipes (SOAR) and your source for recipes on the Internet.

Dog Recipes brought to you by findoutaboutdogs.com
Free - Apple Treats, Super Easy Dog Biscuits, Scrummy Dog Biscuits, and Liver And Honey Treats

Dog Treat Recipes offered by Save Willie the Dog
Recipes include: Classic Baby Food Dog Treats, Peanut Butter Treats, Microwave Doggie Treats, Special Diet: Carrot Dog Biscuits(Low Purine for Kidney Stone Prone Dogs), Special Diet: Molasses Dog Biscuits(Low Purine for Kidney Stone Prone Dogs) and Carrot Cookies.

"Holistic Hounds" Recipes from Holistic-Hounds.com
Favorite recipes for preparing your own homemade dog foods and treats.

Other great crafty homemade pet gift ideas:

Puppy Portait Frame from FamilyFun.com
Display the pooch in this adorable dog-bone frame.

Fleece Rope Dog Toy brought to you by HGTV.com
"Weave a sturdy rope toy that's comfortable for you to tug and perfect for your dog to sink his or her teeth into. This rope is especially soft for dogs with new or sensitive teeth, but can be braided tightly for strong chewers."

Make a Dog Toy Out of Dish Towels from RealSimple.com
"Take dish towels that look as if they've lived in an auto shop for the last decade and make them into chew toys that won't cost you a penny."

Want to try something a bit more challenging? The pack says they can't wait for me to get started on this one...LOL

Personalized Mosaic Pet Place Mat By Emily Lapkin
"Is your pet a messy eater? This tidy tile place mat keeps things neat and looks cool!"

Looking to get a photo of your pooch with Santa this year? These are a few of the places you can go:

PetSmart®'s Digital Photo with Santa Claws

Photo Package includes: A digital photo of you and your pet with Santa. An exclusive holiday frame. $5 of every photo package will be donated to local adoption partners.

Have your pet’s photo taken with Santa for Christmas and help the homeless animals at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter have a happy holiday season at the same time! When: 12/05/2008 - 12/07/2008 Where: Olde Towne School for Dogs - 529 Oronoco St. Alexandria, VA Contact: 703/836-7643 to make your appointment. Professional, Digital Photography! Pets posed by professional trainers! Option #1: $45 per sitting. Package includes one 8x10, two 5x7s and eight wallet size photos; Add photo greeting cards for additional $25 for 25 cards; Add a CD with all shots from the sitting for additional $10. Option #2: $40 per sitting. Package includes one CD with all shots from sitting; Add photo greeting cards for additional $25 for 25 cards. Packages will be ready for pick-up from Olde Towne School for Dogs (529 Oronoco Street) on December 18.

PETCO's Digital Photos with Santa

Bring your festive friend to meet Santa and receive a framed digital photo for only $8.95 plus tax. While supplies last. $5 from each photo purchase benefits homeless pets. All pets are welcome. Additional holiday photo dates available at selected locations (PDF). Times are limited so schedule your pet's appointment today.

Pet Pictures with Santa at Lake Accotink When: Saturday December 20th, 2008 Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Contact: Lake Accotink Park Phone: 703-569-0285 Location: Lake Accotink Park 7500 Accotink Park Road Springfield, VA 22150 Don’t leave your pet out of the holiday picture. Bring your dog, cat or other furry friend to Lake Accotink Park for pictures with “Santa Claws.” Your pet’s special moment will be digitally captured on disk for you to keep. Cost is $5 per pet. Advance payment and registration required. Refunds only if event is cancelled. Pets must be leashed. Don’t forget your pooper scooper and treats for the star!

Sam found a loving forever home for the holidays.

Cesar Millan is a world-renowned dog behavior specialist and host of the popular show "Dog Whisperer" (National Geographic Channel-Friday Nights, 8 PM ET/PT). Known for his uncanny ability to walk large packs of dogs at a time and the amazing ability to rehabilitate of wide variety of canine behavioral problems (aggressive, scared, lazy, compulsive, and jealous dogs). He's Great! Read Cesar's Holiday Tips - 9 tips to keep your pet safe and happy during the holiday season.

Almost Heaven has a couple Golden wanna be Bloodhounds looking to find a warm home for the holiday season:

Austin

Daisee

Golden Angel Eric Roell is wrapping his strong and comforting angel wings around Sammy In Memory of Zeke. Find out how you can become an Almost Heaven Golden Angel too.

The CBS46 news article "You Can Track Pet Abuse" (Nov. 22, 2008) describes the ability to "track pet abusers right down to the neighborhood where the crime happened." Just type in your zip code and area you want to search at Pet-abuse.com and it will allow you to track the crime and the accused abuser down to the neighborhood where it happened. The pack said we had to check out our zip code....Hmmmm.... We were surprised how many were within 10 miles of our zip code.

Golden Angel Kathleen Malone is wrapping her warm and caring angel wings around Sammy In Memory of Jeanette A. Byrne. Find out how you can become an Almost Heaven Golden Angel too.

"With Thanksgiving just around the corner and hundreds of thousands of meals being prepared for the big day, many pet owners don’t realize that something they enjoy so much and assume their pets will too is actually dangerous and could be life-threatening." Read the Thanksgiving Pet Safety by Heather (The Food Bowl, Nov. 17, 2007).

Chandler Brown/ cmbrown@ajc.com

Sometimes events occur that make you think "Wow!." Pepper and her family have a lot to be Thankful for...."Nearly a year and 425 miles later, dog reunited with family" Pepper, a 7-year-old golden retriever, disappeared two days before Christmas last year while his owners were vacationing in Mexico. Believing he was gone for good, the Carter family of Buckhead adopted another rescued retriever and went on with their lives. Almost a year later, they get a call...Read the full story by Chandler Brown at The Atlanta Journal Constitution (Oct. 5, 2008).

Golden Angel Pauline Woodall spread her angel wings wide to wrap them lovingly aroung both Sam and Sammy. Find out how you can become an Almost Heaven Golden Angel too.

It's been a long time since we've blogged at Almost Heaven. Why? It's been crazy busy...so many Goldens, so little time. Excuses aside, we felt it was time to give it another whirl.

So much to catch up on... These are just a few of the Great Almost Heaven Golden Retrievers seeking a warm home for the holiday season:

Sammy

Zeus

Chance

Sam

Buck

Almost Heaven Goldens who found forever homes in November include: Ben, Valentine and Shasta.

2008 Calendars and Holiday Greeting Cards are now available in Almost Heaven's Gift Store. A percentage of each purchase supports a Golden!!!

"Chiropractic care not just for humans - Veterinarian Teresa Burks was so impressed by how chiropractic helped her dog, she learned to use it to help other animals"...read the article by Diane McCartney (The Wichita Eagle, Nov. 22, 2008).

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, Pet Meds, America's Largest Pet Pharmacy, offers free advice on pet diabetes and products related to the management of canine and feline diabetes.

Clinical trials are research studies devoted to discovering new or promising therapies for naturally occurring disease. They can offer cutting edge treatment, often at a reduced cost to the owner. "For years, animals have been used for medical research into human ills, and now it's time that something was done for the animals themselves." –Dr. Mark L. Morris, Sr. Many veterinary colleges conduct clinical trials. Morris Animal Foundation maintains a listing of all the veterinary schools in the United States and Canada. Click HERE to view the current listing.

Good Search: Search the web with GoodSearch.com and each time you do a search, GoodSearch will donate a penny to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc.! GoodSearch keywords to search for Web This Site

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