Lovely Luna and CANDi

I have been thinking a lot about this post over the last week.  I wanted to do it justice and include all that should be included.  There were so many things I wanted to say and so many different emotions I was having.  PLEASE take the time to read it all the way through.  It's a very uplifting and inspiring story. I promise it will bring you to "happy" tears.

It was last Monday, March 18 that I first learned about Lovely Luna.  I was intrigued when a local pet store posted on Facebook that a dog named Luna was to arrive in Saratoga Springs, NY that night to settle in with her new family.  Where was she coming from?  What was her story?  I had to find out.  There was a link, and with this one click, I was swept up into Luna's journey, life today and the wonderful work of an organization called CANDi (Cats and Dogs International).

Luna
Tracey Buyce is a very talented professional photographer in Saratoga Springs. While she and her husband were vacationing in Mexico in 2011, Tracey witnessed, first hand, the countless animals that roam the streets in need of nutrition, medical care and love.  She had to help, and returned a few months later to volunteer at one of CANDi's (explained below)  spay/ neuter clinics.  Soon after, she signed on to become their official photographer.  This is how she found Luna.  In January of this year, Luna was starving, emaciated and roaming the streets in Mexico.  She was in desperate need of a veterinarian and someone to care for her.  Tracey convinced Luna's owners to surrender her, and Tracey found her the care she so deserved with a local veterinarian and CANDi.

CANDi
I had never heard of CANDi until last week, and since then I have been brought to tears with the generous, caring and much needed work this organization does.  I have traveled myself to these destinations and seen the loads of dogs and cats that wander around, seemingly homeless and hungry.  It broke my heart.  I never knew a group was organized and doing something to help.  CANDi does just that.  They are on a mission to save the animals of Mexico and the Caribbean through controlling animal population, adoption and education.  They hold spay and neuter clinics.  They find loving and caring homes for animals in need, and the help educate people of this growing problem. CANDi is able to do this life saving work with donations from the public.  As little as $25.00 can save a dog's life, but any amount helps.  If donating money can't be done, spreading the word about CANDi's work would be much appreciated as well.  If you're like me, you may not have ever heard about them.  Let's change that!

Lovely Luna
Luna arrived at Albany International Airport  Monday, March 18 around 5:30.  Her foster dad from Mexico accompanied her on her trip to her new, excited family.  Along with her new family was Tracey Buyce, media and "Luna Lovers" that gathered to welcome Luna home. People had apparently known about Luna and fallen in love with her long before I was aware.  I followed Facebook closely that night.  I wanted to be up to speed with all of Luna's happenings.  It was a beautiful reunion between Tracey and Luna (Video clip HERE).  Tracey was the first to greet her.  Her new family was next and now consisted of a new mom and dad, 3 human siblings and a canine brother.  Luna had a lot to adjust to!  Well, I have followed her daily over the past week.  She has her own Facebook page so it makes my "Luna stalking" easier ;)!  If you're hooked, please follow along too!  This is where she has been dubbed "Lovely Luna".  I have to say, she is loved beyond belief!  Tracey is her Godmommy and dotes on her every chance she gets.  She took Luna for ice cream the other day!  Luna's mom updated her blog a few days ago and detailed just how Luna had been adjusting to the snow, the kids and her new life. ( Here is her post from January when she decided Luna was meant to be her next furbaby). Luna is doing exceptionally well.  To think where this little beauty was just 2 months ago.  It just proves what can be done when good, caring people join together with a common purpose.

Luna's foster dad saying goodbye in Albany (Courtesy of Lovely Luna's Facebook Page)

Luna's new mom, Tracey and Luna's foster dad in Albany (Courtesy of Lovely Luna's Facebook Page)

Luna today

Wet Noses

I am not doing a paid review, just honestly recommending a brand that is fairly new to me.  In last month's BarkBox we received treats by the company "Wet Noses". ** (You don't need the BarkBox to order a sample of these treats.)**  We got a box flavored "agave and pear" and another box flavored "cheddar".  My boys love them both!  They love most treats but there is and extra excitement that is very obvious over these snacks.  I love them because they are natural and wheat free (many are also dairy and egg free).  They are made right here in the US and certified organic.  I really like feeding foods and treats with antioxidants and the agave and pear are perfect for that!  Pears are a full of antioxidants.  If you visit their site you will see you can order all varieties of sizes, from sample tasting sizes, to bulk!  They even have an adorable array of bakery items for your special doggie occasions :)  Please check them out here!  I am their newest fan!

Ape

Not too far from where I live, tragedy struck Wednesday morning. Six people were shot while out doing everyday errands at a car wash and barbershop, by a man who went on a shooting spree in Herkimer, NY.  Four were pronounced dead.  As Wednesday evening settled in, the shooter had hidden himself inside a vacant building and the FBI had him surrounded.  Early on Thursday morning, news came that the shooter (I prefer not to call him by name) had been killed, but not before something else tragic happened.  Ape, the K9 there on duty that morning, serving his people and doing exactly what he had been trained to do, was fatally shot and killed by the shooter when he was sent inside the building.  Ape had only been on active duty since the end of February and was two years old.  Of course I have questions...Was he wearing a vest?  Why couldn't gas have been thrown in instead of this precious dog?  Right now I am trying to keep the "what ifs" at bay, and just focus on how grateful I am for dogs like Ape.  RIP, Ape.  You make us proud.

Look Into My Eyes

I could not be more thrilled with this painting.  Sheila Wedegis is the very talented artist who painted Murray's eyes.  She is dedicating all of March to painting dogs' eyes, or as she puts it, "the soul of the dog".  She is so right!  I can completely see "my" Murray in this painting and am so happy that I will have him like this forever !  Thank YOU, Sheila!  I can't wait to hang this beauty on my wall :)

Presents!

I am going to make this a quick post so we can get back to all our fun birthday activities today.  I couldn't wait to give Mom her presents.  We have a tradition of giving them the night before a birthday in our house.  That way you have your gifts to actually enjoy ON your birthday.  It's so much fun!  Now that she's opened them I can let you all in on what I got her.  I gave her a Pet Smart gift card so we can go shopping together of course.  I also gave her a doggie t-shirt from a great site with adorable pet items for both pets and people.  It's called The Animal Rescue Site.  Purchased items help feed homeless pets, so it's a win win!  Last but not least, I gave Mom the book "A Dog's Purpose".  I'm hoping she'll read it aloud to me, even though I already know my purpose is to be the best furry kid Mom and Dad could wish for :)  Hope you're all doing well out there in the blog world.  I'm off to PARTAY :) 

Dog Rally

I never knew such a thing called dog rally existed until this past year.  Our dog trainer did a short introduction into what it was at the end of our last class, and had us do a simplified run through, and it's been in the back of my mind ever since.  The point of this post is to share with you what I know about rally (which is in the beginning stages) and possibly spark some interest in you, and also to encourage you to share any experience you have with rally yourself.  I am very interested in participating in a rally event with my boys, possibly this summer (or whenever they might be ready).  I think it looks like a lot of fun and could be very beneficial to both my dogs and myself in a few different ways.  If you're unfamiliar as I was, in a nutshell it is a trail you walk with your dog and it has a series of "stops" you make along the way.  At each stop there is a command you have to complete with your dog.  One might be "sit, down, sit" for example.  You would have to learn the commands and how work with your dog to successfully carry them out and each post.  One of the biggest reasons it sparked my attention was that unlike agility (which also interests me s great deal) age and size isn't as big a factor in rally as it is in agility.  Piper is 9 and Murray is 5 and they both are close to 100 lbs.  This could appropriate for both of them to participate in.  It's also always good to keep yourself (and your dog) fresh and up to date with your dog obedience training.  Rally seems like a great way to do this.  In order to participate you would need to keep yourself and your dog practiced in the rally commands.  Regular practice and participation seems like great reinforcement.  On a side note...I'm a firm believer in positive reinforcement training, as well.  I'm lucky Murray thrives on positive attention.  He loves a reward treat, but he is also just as happy if he knows I am happy.... Rally also looks like a great way to incorporate some bonding activities with your dog.  It would automatically create a mutual working relationship between owner and dog.  Investing your time and energy in this way can't help but develop strong ties.  I like that it's not just about the human or just about the dog, but the focus is on the team effort.  What kind of team would you and your dog make?  There are lots of  great resources online.  The American Kennel Club, in particular, has some great, free information on rally.   

Please feel free to comment and share any thoughts or experiences you have with rally.  I would like to learn all I can!  Thank You!

 

        
  

Snow Fun!

Piper can't catch me!

Can I go inside now?