Archive | July, 2011

P2V

26 Jul

Dogs mean so many different things to so many different humans. Some dogs are coworkers, others are fellow travelers, friends, children, and even sometimes saviors. According to last night’s CBS Evening News, no one knows this better than Dave Sharpe, a human who served with the US Air Force in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, and his pit bull Cheyenne. 

(photo source)

After his deployment in 2001, Sharpe was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder due to events he experienced during his service. He experienced severe emotional upheaval and often lashed out at those around him. It was at this time that he found and adopted Cheyenne, then a puppy, through a pit bull rescue group. Unfortunately, Sharpe still experienced tremendous depression which, one night, led to his decision to commit suicide. Right before he was about to take his own life, Cheyenne licked his ear and gave him a look that Sharpe said looked as though she was saying “‘Listen, if you take care of me, I’ll take care of you.’” Sharpe then confided in Cheyenne everything he was feeling. All the emotional weight was lifted and he became a completely different person with reduced outbursts and less depressive symptoms. Inspired by Cheyenne, Sharpe decided then that he would help others who found themselves in a similar situation.

In October of 2009, Sharpe and Cheyenne started Pets2Vets, or P2V, a non-profit organization dedicated to matching veterans with their own furry saviors. One of the unique things about P2V is that the humans aren’t the only ones being rescued. All the pets, as both cats and dogs can be adopted through the program, are adopted from partnering shelters (the current shelters are The Washington Animal Rescue League, 4Paws Rescue Team, and Animal Care and Control of NYC) so they, as well, are saved. As the P2V site states: “There are 18 veterans in the United States that commit suicide everyday and one (1) shelter animal is put down every eight seconds.”

P2V currently operates in Washington, DC and NYC and provides two programs options. The first is the adoption program, or P2V Matches, where a qualified veteran is matched with a suitable shelter pet for free and provides low-cost pet health care as well as support and training. The other program, P2V Connections, provided visitation and socialization between wounded veterans and the pets in the participating shelters.

HN Pittman and Coconut

 (photo source)

Since P2V was founded, over 36 humans have found their saviors, and over 36 pets have found their forever homes. If you would like more information, or if you would like to donate, please check out the P2V website.

Happy tail wags!

Source: CBS Evening News, P2V

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Celtic Celebration

22 Jul

Last weekend, I was very fortunate to attend (along with Leo, Angelica, and my mom) the Maine Celtic Celebration in Belfast, Maine. It’s very rare that I get to go to any sort of outdoor festival, mostly due to the crowds and heat. This time around, the celebration was hosting a whole afternoon of dog activities, not to mention happened to be hosted in the same town as a pawesome dog park and the new Loyal Biscuit location, so my mom felt a little more than obligated to bring me along.

One of the day’s events was a parade and show of Celtic breed dogs. While we were a little late for the parade, many of the attendees were still wandering around enjoying the free agility course and just having a ball canoodling with the other four-legged festival goers.

Some were even dressed for the occasion

 Thankfully the revelry wasn’t specified only for those of Celtic origin, so there were dogs of every breed (and mix of breed) enjoying the sun and attention.

Like Bagel!

 The biggest draw of the afternoon was watching a flyball demonstration by a Maine-based flyball team known as the Flyball Maineiacs.

One of the flyballers in action

Flyball is a form of racing that matches two teams of four dogs who race relay style over a 51 foot course that features jumps and a pressure-released ball box. Each dog races down the jumps, hits a box which releases a ball, grabs the ball, and returns back through the jumps. Once the first dog returns, the second dog is released to run the course. Because the event was so thrilling to watch, I made sure my mom grabbed a video!

All in all it was a very fun and incredibly exhausting day. I was very appreciative that my mom came prepared with plenty of water and let me rest (or in one case take a snooze on a stranger’s lap) when I became a little too hot and tired. Even Leo, who is usually nervous and scared in crowds and unfamiliar places, seemed to enjoy himself.

Happy tail wags!

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Joss & Main

16 Jul

I would like to see a paw raised for all of you that don’t like to save money. I have a feeling there would be very few, if any. Even I, a dog who has her own walking wallet that I kindly refer to as “mom,” like to save if it means being able to get more stuff (I just love stuff! Especially if it’s edible). On my romps around the internet searching for pawesome stuff to share about here, I’ve noticed there are a lot of those “exclusive” websites that are invite only. These invitees are able to receive massive discounts on designer items. Sadly, I haven’t seen to many of these exclusive sites that cater to the four-legged and furry crowd; until Joss & Main that is

Joss & Main is the place to find unique items for the home for upwards of 70% off the regular price. Of course, it’s not 100% pet stuff, but they often host sales of pet items like beds, cat towers, collars, and more. In fact, tomorrow is the start of the Bowser pet products sale. Bowser is a company that sells quality pet furniture, collars, and even raised feeders.

The Bowser Eco+ Orbit Bed

Bowser Collar

 And for those of you looking for the kittier side of things, July 31st is the start of the Kittypod(makers of some adorable kitty furniture) sale.

Kittypod Geodome

 (photo source)

So how do you get in on these pawesome deals? I have an exclusive invite just for my readers! All you have to do is click here. Now, for full disclosure, for every human who clicks that link, signs up, and then makes their initial purchase, my mom (remember, she’s my walking wallet), will receive a $15 credit. You too can receive credit if you invite your friends with your own personal link (see the Joss & Main site for more details).

If any of you make good on any of these deals, I would love to see photos on my facebook of your dogs or kitties enjoying their new steals and deals.

Happy tail wags!

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Belated Blogiversary

14 Jul

Well this just goes to show how up-to-date my human and I are when it comes to my blog. As of July 7th (7 days ago?! I am ashamed of myself), I have been an official dog blogger for two whole years. So, in dog years, Of Cows’ Tails and Chew Toys is in its teens. I would say that it seems like only yesterday since my blog got started, but that would be lying (and I never lie), this year especially. There were actually a few times when I almost hung up my typing paws. Mom’s new school schedule was taking a toll not only on our daily activities, but also on the motivation to keep OCTCT afloat. Really it was not wanting to let down all my friends and readers that kept everything going. And I’m so glad! Especially with this wonderful adventure of going to college spread before me. Who better to share the triumphs and failures of a dog’s dorm life than all of you wonderful humans and animals that I have come to know and adore so very much. So thank you, thank you for making not only this past year, but these last two years such a joy and so very worth it.

And now I have a favor to ask, after I’ve buttered you up with complements (and maybe a hang-dog glance or two). I would love to know, in the comments, what your favorite posts from this past year have been (since the last blogiversary) and what you would like to see more of, or even less of, as I blog more. More product reviews, more real news stories, less about the beach; whatever you’re feeling, please let it out!

Happy tail wags!

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Beach Romp

12 Jul

My love for the beach is a vast and powerful love. When we are within a mile of any salty and sandy location, my tail starts drumming faster than my excited puppy heart. Why do I love the beach so? It’s because the beach is one of the only locations that I am allowed to run without any tether. No leash, no fences, just boundless freedom (until the humans calls me back, that is). It’s even better when I can share the joys of this freedom with other pooches. Recently I had that exact opportunity during a beach visit that resulted in a gathering of the furry minds. A Havanese named Cosmo and a Labrador-mix visiting from Connecticut were all ready enjoying the salty spray. Luckily my mom had her camera in tow and she captured our fun on video:

Happy tail wags!

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Jaxs’ Allergies

11 Jul

I often extoll the virtues of a doggy wardrobe. Not only are dog clothes incredibly stylish, but they often can protect against sun, rain, cold, and yes, even allergies!

(photo source)

Meet Jaxs, a eight year-old Jack Russell Terrier who suffers from a painful allergy to grass (among other things including milk protein, and oats) If Jax comes in contact with even a single blade of the green stuff, sores start to form on his paws and his fur falls out in clumps. His very concerned human didn’t know what to do with Jaxs’ condition or any idea what has causing it. It wasn’t until Jaxs’ veterinarian ran a few tests confirming that he was, in fact, allergic to grass.

Armed with this information, and a set of canvas and velcro booties, Jaxs began his new life of romping through lawns without the painful side effects that would make him chew his paws. In fact, Jaxs has become so enamored with his booties that he will protect them from other dogs (especially when they try to pull them off) and he even cuddles with them when he sleeps. When his human grabs his leash in preparation for a walk, Jax will even go fetch his boots.

Obviously there are some less than understanding humans who believe the Jaxs’ human is cruel by making him wear his boots. The way I see it, though, it would be cruel if Jax had to be kept confined to his home due to a reaction with a very simple cure. Plus, I’m sure Jax doesn’t mind having a posh set of paw covers just as long as he gets to run in the fresh air without pain.

Happy tail wags!

Source: Small World News Service

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Opening Celebration

7 Jul

One of my favorite places to spend time (and the humans’ money) is The Loyal Biscuit in Rockland, Maine. My obsession with this pet supply store is very evident in many of my blog posts as well as my facebook page. I just can’t stop talking about the store, Heidi and Joel the human owners, as well as Chuck and Fenway the shop dogs! It’s really the place to be if your a dog on the town in Rockland.

Well, now the Biscuit wealth is being spread across the state. Last week, Heidi and Joel opened The Loyal Biscuit’s second location in Belfast, a hopping town that’s roughly 27 miles away from Rockland.They had been steadily working on the new place for quite awhile, and all of their updates and facebook posts were quite teasing for a beast as curious as me, so it made me very happy when my mom’s friend Marie suggested we take a road trip for the grand opening. The Loyal Biscuit – Belfast is very much in line with the original Rockland location. The main focal color is the vibrant green, the floor is still white and black checked (though in a different pattern), there is a self-serve dog wash (which I skipped inspecting in case my mom thought I was past due for a bath), and all the toys, treats, and food are of the highest quality that one has come to expect from this lovely store. Along with a new location comes a new human member of the staff. April, whom is the lovely human on the left in the photo above (the other human is Heidi), seems to have fit in perfectly.

What’s great about the location of the Belfast Biscuit is that there is a dog park (which I’ve written about before) not too far away that will draw many a four-legged shopper to their door. Plus, it will be a reason for me to convince my mom to take more road trips to Belfast!

Happy tail wags!

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