Jan. 2004 Blog Archive - Almost Heaven

I was deeply affected by this story written by Cherine Bissinger. It is entitled "For the love of Judith...and all others like her". Cherine was inspired by data documented on the Animal Advocates Society of BC website.

      "Brownie was given away a year ago. His second guardian gave him away again. The third
      guardian lost the 35-pound dog of mixed origins at a truck stop. But Brownie's microchip
      was his ticket home"...[Animal News Center, Inc.]
Proof that microchip's can help your lost dog find his/her way home. Read "Microchip Tracks Down Dog's Original Guardian"

Dogs Deserve Better is a nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing the chained dog, and bringing our 'best friend' into the home and family. They are currently working on their second annual "Have a Heart for Chained Dogs Week" - February 7-14th. Their goal this year is to have 2000 Valentines sent to chained & penned dogs. They are looking volunteers to deliver Valentines to chained dogs. Or maybe you would be interested in sending a chained dog(s) in your area a Valentine?

A loving human/canine relationship message from Max, a Lab with a lot of insight. Read our new article My Name is Max

Snow, snow & more snow. If you have to go out on the road The Weather Channel has a Must Read article, "Driving in Snow and Ice." This article offers advice on how to handle driving on icy roads, dealing with front & back wheel skidding and what to do if your vehicle gets stick.

Yes, we have new products in the Almost Heaven's Cafe Press Gift Store:

Almost Heaven's Golden Angel Journal
Almost Heaven's Golden Angel Tote Bag
Golden Angel Tile Coaster
Golden Angel Tile Box
Golden Angel Wall Clock
Almost Heaven's Golden Angel Teddy Bear
Golden Angel Jr. Baby Doll T-Shirt
Golden Angel BBQ Apron

Added Bonus Coupon for Almost Heaven Cafe Press Gift Store Only: Save $5 when you spend over $45 by using coupon code "CPLUVSU". Coupon expires February 4, 2004 In addition, all orders for large mugs and travel mugs through February 4th include a free bag of gourmet coffee.

Almost Heaven kicks off the Golden Retriever Pin of the Month. February 2004 is available for order.

Almost Heaven gets a New Logo courtesy of Darline Grubbs of darsartworks.com. Visit to see wonderful Animal Angels in almost every breed. The Cosmic Canines are available in prints, greeting & notecards. She also does custom work. We LOVE our new Angel!!!

Jackson, Killian, Jasmine, & Logan have been adopted.

Logan has been added to our Happy Endings Page. Includes, pictures with his new family & a wonderful welcome home sign made especially for him.

* * * CANCELLATION * * *

Due to inclement weather the Adoption Day scheduled today at :
Winchester Aquarium & Pet Center
Sat, Jan 24, 2004 - noon 'til 3 p.m.
Has been CANCELLED

Clinging snowballs on your pets paws? Advice on how to take care your pet's paws in the snow. New Informational Article posted: Removing Snow from Paws by Kat Lea

Brrrr... it has been cold. Hoping the snow stops soon. Can't risk the safety of the Goldens traveling to the Adoption Day. It doesn't look good so far.

Owners can try and I.D. missing dogs  - If you suspect you dog may be one of the 124 seized at a Northern Kentucky farm, you can try contacting the Grant County Animal Shelter, the phone number is (859) 824-9403.

"Sheriffs in Grant, Harrison and Pendleton counties are continuing to investigate. The animals were confiscated from Tonya Moukaddem's farm in Berry after sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant and turned up evidence of what they say was rampant animal abuse and neglect." [The Cincinnati Post]

Willow Miranda has written "Baby Bubba" - a story of love, learning & caution about her Golden Retriever. It has been added to Pet Stories & Informative Articles.

Noah and Goldie have been added to Adoptable Golden Retrievers Looking for Forever Homes.
Noah, pictured here, is only about a year old, and has so much "puppy" left in him. Goldie is about 6 years old and loves to play.

Chester, a Senior Golden Mix came to us with a few physical problems and is currently listed under Permanent Residents. He is being treated and will be available for adoption as soon as he is physically fit!

Abby & Brooke have been added to our Happy Endings Page. Abby was formerly known to us as Daisy Mae. She certainly looks loved. :)

Adoption Day coming up at :

Monty has been adopted.

Sadly our Miss Sophie passed on to Rainbow Bridge. Sophie arrived at Almost Heaven about a week ago and had some significant health problems. She was found wandering down the middle of a road. She was unable to overcome her health issues, however we are more comforted knowing that her final days were spent without hunger in a warm and loving environment.

We have added a new article, "Ten Tips: Caring for a Senior Dog" by Missy Clifft.

We love to be able to add more Happy Ending pictures. Today we added pictures of:

1. Casey with her new Family, The Quinns
2. Jake with his Wonderful New Family members
3. Sarah & Her New Family

We have several new additions in our Permanent Residents program. Sophie came to us after being found wandering down the middle of a road.
Moose (Black Lab) & Sunny (Golden Retriever) came to us as a pair. Their family had to move and couldn't take them along, but they have found "retirement paradise" with their foster Mom and Dad.

Ralphie is adopted.

Calendar/Picture Contest
We are holding a picture contest for our very first calendar!!! There will be prizes for first, second, and third place, and any color picture featuring your Rescued Golden Retriever (doesn't have to be an Almost Heaven Rescue), or Almost Heaven Rescue Dog are welcome. We are going to run the picture contest through June 30, 2004, so you have plenty of time to get those entries in. You may email them, or snail mail them. We will make every effort to return originals mailed to us, but we will not guarantee it. The prizes will be displayed in a later news bulletin. Don't miss your chance to be included in the First Almost Heaven Calendar.

Yankee Candle Fundraiser
We are looking for people interested in selling Yankee Candles for us. The duration of this sale will only be 2 weeks long, and will be held sometime in the month of February. We will supply you with catalogs and the paperwork necessary to track your sales. These candles (and accessories) are high quality.

All you need to do is take a catalog to work and let your coworkers, neighbors, friends, relatives, and acquaintances make their selections. These candles will sell themselves.

If you are interested in helping us with this fundraiser, please contact Carol so that we can order the materials you will need.

Sadie is adopted.

Logan has been added to Adoptable Goldens Looking for Forever Homes. Logan is only about a year old and loves other pets and people, too.

New merchandise is added to the Gift Store:

Dog Treats: Talk To Me Treats- Fresh Breath & Dental Care, SalmonYummy Chummies Alaskan Salmon treats, Buddy Biscuits Mix, Gourmet Spray,Sniffers Moist Treat

People Toys: The Dog Puzzle, Monopoly - The Dog

Dog Toys: Kevlar Frisbee Toy, Air Kong Stick Dog Toy, Yankers Big Dog Toys, Chicken Gumabone Bone, Nylabone Plaque Attacker

Pet food ingredients under scrutiny in wake of mad cow 

"Cow brains and spinal cords -- tissues that can spread the infection -- are a routine part of the rendering mix from which pet food is formulated and show up in trace amounts in some U.S. pet foods, most often in dry supermarket varieties. The risk to pets appears small, but pet food manufacturers and federal regulators are scrambling this week to answer consumer questions about the diet of the average American pet..." [Oregonian]