Monday, September 30, 2013

Tuffie Squid, still swimming (.....kind of)

Back in March, I reviewed the Tuffie Toys squid that Elka had been playing with (in short, supervised sessions) since Christmas.

Mr. Squid only has 2 tentacles left. I've sewed him up just once, as Elka chews specifically on the area that's a ring of nylon reinforcing the seams at the "bottom" of the critter, where the tentacles were attached. This is also where I can see how valuable the extra layers Tuffie puts into their toys is; Elka hasn't been able to pull out any of the stuffing.

(it looks like it's saying "Help me.")



Thursday, September 26, 2013

Tell them what they don't want to hear

Lots of people buy dogs every year. Lots of people buy puppies every year. They get them from a pet store, or the newspaper, or Craigslist. They get them from a breeder that advertised their litter on the AKC web site. Every day.

So, what's wrong with this?





Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Athena and Boss, in Southwest Ohio Doberman Rescue

Southwest Ohio Doberman Rescue has many Dobermans looking for homes. They are a 501(c)(3) non profit organization, and run on volunteers. They rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome Dobermans in need, and adopt all over the United States and Canada, if they can arrange to have a home visit done. If you adopt outside their immediate radius, you are responsible for arranging the ground transport of your new family member. They are always in need of fosters and volunteers, so if you're in southwest Ohio, and interested, they would appreciate it!

It's hard, when confronted with a list of adoptable dogs, to pick the ones to showcase. This week, though, I picked two dogs who are opposites: Athena, who is a young, all natural female Doberman and Boss, who is a mature cropped and docked male.

Athena is an exuberant little girl who needs some refreshment on her obedience training.

(picture from SWODR site)
She had a home, but she didn't get along with one of the older dogs in the household, so back she came. She needs a family that understands and can accommodate the exuberant, energetic nature that comes with young Dobermans.
(picture from SWODR site)

Exercise and patience! (an exercise in patience? Though that's all puppies!)


Boss was part of a two dog household, but when a divorce happened, only one dog could fit in the car so he was surrendered to a shelter (it's in his bio, I kid you not). They think he's around 5, and though he is cropped and docked, as you can see, his left ear is cropped and flopped. Makes him look kind of rakish!
(picture from SWODR site)

Southwest Ohio Doberman Rescue does not know whether the dog Boss lived with was male or female, but it was a lab. He's been kissyface with dogs he's met over a fence, and kind of mouthy when tested on cats. 

(picture from SWODR site)

Boss has been neutered, and they're still sussing out his personality. He looks like a happy guy in the pictures, though!

If you're interested in adopting Boss or Athena, or any of Southwest Ohio Doberman Rescue's dogs, they list their requirements on this page (including adoption fees) and their adoption application is here. They also have a very nice section with information on the Doberman breed, and an FAQ page that has both info about Doberman rescue and also ten myths about rescuing a Doberman.


Monday, September 23, 2013

Why I Watermark My Pictures

Well now, anyway. I didn't always watermark them. I forget when I started, exactly, but it's just part of the routine now.

But, there are a few reasons. It occurred to me to list/discuss them after this past Wednesday's post, wherein many of you commenters said you did or did not.

1. Copyright. My pictures are mine. I might not be a good photographer, but I own that. And, watermark or not, pictures I produce are mine, and I don't want to just hand 'em out. You can look at them, that's what pictures are for. But use them? Represent them as yours? I'm pretty much not okay with that.


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Wordless Wednesday September 18 2013



This used to be the blog header, and was on my original business cards. I thought I'd re-edit it, see if I could make it look any kind of better. Really, I should've been tweaking and watermarking my photos all along. Ah well. Live and learn, n'est-ce pas?

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Available Dobermans at Doberman Rescue Unlimited

This is Cooper:


He's a red and rust boy with natural ears AND tail! He's two years old, very food motivated, and has been good with cats and dogs when he met them at Doberman Rescue Unlimited. He likes car rides, and chewing on his bed (so he's got a Kuranda).

Isn't he handsome? He looks kind of like a joker, I think.

Here's a link to the DRU adoption procedure. You can find the application there as well (they want you to print it out and mail it), in addition to some information about the Doberman breed to make sure you've got a little introduction and know what you're getting into!

This lovely matriarch is Freda


She is 7 years old, black and rust, with cropped ears and tail. Freda lived with three other dogs for many years, though I guess she didn't get along with one of the females, so that's something to consider if you have a multi dog household. She loves stuffed toys, and will carry them like a baby and gather them up to nest with (which sounds like a nice change from a certain somebody I know.) Freda finds herself at DRU because her owner had a terminal illness, and I do hope this senior lady goes home with somebody soon.