Saturday, April 30, 2016

Volunteer Appreciation Month

The month of April is Volunteer Appreciation Month.  Barkingly, I paw a huge

"THANK YOU!" 

to all the pawsome Volunteers who make this world a better place by volunteering wherever the needs might be.

A barkingly pawsome  number of volunteers help organizations like Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc., Operation Paws for Homes, PetConnect Rescue, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue and so many other rescues and shelters with their day to day operations and helping dogs and cats find new homes!

Pawviously, my favorite volunteers are the Foster Parents who donate their time to helping a dog or cat in need to find their humans and a "Forever Home."  One special lady took the time to help me and I've lived happily ever after!  WOOF!! BARK!!!!

My human loves photographing and writing to support dog and cat rescues.  Since he would love to have another huge dog in the family and isn't able to do it right now, he volunteers time to support the dogs and cats needing homes!

If you are interested in volunteering to help local rescues who have plenty of things for volunteers to do, you can visit please visit the link at from The Dogs Paw: Virginia and Washington DC Area Rescues to find a place to volunteer and serve.

"Everybody can be great.  Because anybody can serve.  
You don't have to have a college degree to serve
You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve.... 
You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve.  You only need a heart full of grace.  A soul generated by love." 
 ~Martin Luther King, Jr.


"Volunteers are love in motion!"  
- Author Unknown


"Nobody can do everything,
but everyone can do something."
  - Author Unknown


"Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy.  
You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, 
you vote every day about the kind of community 
you want to live in."
 - Author Unknown


"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.
- William Shakespeare


THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!

Friday, April 29, 2016

Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.

"Valentina"
(C) Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.
My friend "Lab Lady" brought by this week a most adorable, beautiful, hot-looking babe, er, excuse me please, 7 year-old Yellow Labrador Retriever named "Valentina" for you to meet!!

Valentina is looking for a home in a quiet neighborhood or rural area and one with humans home more than not!  WOOF!!!!
"Valentina"
(C) Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.

Valentina came to Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc. from a hoarding situation where she was used to having human company, or another dog around. She has lived with several dogs. She did fine meeting other dogs in her foster home but was too interested in the cats, so no cats.

A very loving girl, she follows her foster humans from room to room- she would make a great work at home office mate- she might share the chair with you!!! She makes a pawsome companion for someone with a little patience who will give her the love and attention she's looking for! She is at her best when she is besides her human, including in the car.

A smart girl, Valentina is eager to learn new tricks. She knows the basic commands of "Sit" and "Heel" and is working on "Down."

In the afternoon she waits by the window for her foster humans to come home from work and greets them with her trademark helicopter tailspin. WOOF!!!!!

Valentina will sleep in her own bed as she doesn't like to be crated. She loves early morning walks in the open spaces the park nearby.

Valentina has no experience with children so she's approved for kids ages 10 and up.

Interested in meeting Valentina and learning about dog adoption? Please contact Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc. Tell them "Noah" sent you! WOOF!!!!!

"Valentina"
(C) Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.

Friday's Friend! Cat Adoption, PetConnect Rescue

"Mariquita"
(C) PetConnect Rescue

My friend "Cat Lady" who does a pawsome job caring for cats, along with her volunteers, brought by a cool cat named "Mariquita" which is Spanish for Ladybug.  She goes by "Quita" for short. 

Quita is a sweet, snuggly, girl who is looking to be a special humans "Forever Cat!"   She is looking for a kind human who will love her and she can love back!

She loves to give head-buts, get kisses, and play peek-a-boo, and am looking for someone kind. 

She was shy at first, but is improving and becoming very brave! 

Quita is good with other cats and children!

Mariquita comes from Puerto Rico, has all of her vaccinations, and will be a year old in September!

Interested in meet Mariquita?  Please complete the PetConnect Rescue Online Adoption Application.  Once submitted one of their Adoption Coordinators will contact you.

Interested in learning more about cat adoption?  Please visit the PetConnect Rescue Adoption Guide


Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, PetConnect Rescue

My friend "Big Bruno" has fostered and trained dogs with PetConnect Rescue for several years now, pawsibly longer -maybe to the beginning of time.

This week, "Big Bruno" stopped by with his friend "Corona" or affectionately known as "Rona" at Muddy Paws Farm.

Pawleased to introduce "Rona!"

"Corona, aka, Rona"
(C) PetConnect Rescue
A spectacular, super smart loving girl who can't wait to find her human family and a "Forever Home!"

Corona enjoys other dogs, especially puppies, and playing with them.  She seems to have a mother's instinct as she dials back her playfulness based on the their speed!  How cool is that?  WOOF!!!!!

Corona loves to playing in the yard, especially with her pals and would love to find a new fenced in yard to run around and explore!

Corona has excellent potty habits and is learning to walk her foster human on a leash with no issue!  arf?  WOOF!!!!

A beautiful, cuddly, loving girl, she will lean back and stare into your eyes while asking for affection.

At about 9 months old, Corona is the perfect age to acclimate to a new home, meet new canine siblings, and learn the ropes and rules in her new setting. If you are looking for brains, smarts, and affection, Corona is your girl!

Corona is spayed, up-to-date on vaccines and eager to find a family to love!

Interested in meeting Corona?  Please complete the PetConnect Rescue Adoption Application.  Once submitted, please email Tammy at tmathis@petconnectrescue.org.








Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League

"Bella"
(C) Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League
WOOF!! Have you ever seen such a sweet pup-dog face before?  Besides mine, of course!?!  BARK!!!

Meet Bella- she is a pawsitively beautiful 4 year-old female Blue Great Dane.

Bella is one goofy love bug who attaches herself to her humans almost immediately!

A very large girl for a female her age, Bella is looking for a human who will have the time to teach her manners and be the leader she needs them to be. WOOF!!! She will do best in a home as the only dog! Bella will be required to attend a formal obedience training as part of her adoption.

Bella was never socialized properly so she will need some human help in this area of training. She came from a home where there was fighting between the other dogs she lived with on a regular basis.

A quiet, calm environment with a family of humans who will take things slowly so she can adjust to her new surrounding will be the pawfect place for Bella. She seems to love male humans the most but does appreciate all the attention she can pawsibly get from all humans. She has been exposed to mini-humans and does well- pawsingly she is recommended for mini-humans over the age of 8!

Bella is housebroken, crate trained and travels well in a car.

Bella's original owners state she is good with cats and other animals on the family farm but she hasn't been exposed or tested with these animals in her foster home!

Bella would make a pawsome addition to someone’s family.

Bella is spayed, up to date on all vaccines and microchipped.

Interested in meeting this beautiful Blue Great Dane and learning about dog adoption? Please visit the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League.




Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, PetConnect Rescue

HAPPY FRIDAY!! Been a pawsome week, hasn't it?  I have had two special friends visit me this week whom I haven't seen in awhile.  Glad to catch up with "Miss C" of PetConnect Rescue and her puppy, Jullian!

"Jullian"
(C) PetConnect Rescue
Meet Jillian who is about a 10 week old pup and appears to be a Terrier/Lab mixes.  Since  PetConnect Rescue doesn't know their parentage, the breed is truly a best guess.

Jullian is all playful, affectionate, and curious.  Like most pups, he loves everyone and everything! Jillian pawsitively loves to play with other dogs, running, jumping, and tackling!  He loves to play with doggy toys and doggy beds as well.

Jillian was part of a litter that recently came down with parvo. All the pups survived and are recovering nicely. Now, they are looking for their "Forever Homes."

The pups are up-to-date on age appropriate vaccines and preventatives and will need to be spayed/neutered at the age of 6 months.  ​

Interested in meeting Jillian and learning about dog adoption?  Please complete the PetConnect Rescue Online Application.  Once submitted, one of the Adoption Coordinators will contact you!

If you would like to learn more about dog adoption, please visit PetConnect Rescue Adoption Guide.


Thursday, April 28, 2016

Belmont Bay Animal Awareness Expo

A pawsome event where you can get to meet some of the local animals needing "Forever Homes" and humans to love!

The event is this coming Saturday, April 30, 12 noon to 3 p.m..  For more information, please visit The Prince William SPCA!
Used by Permission, Prince William Human Society

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Happy Administrative Assistants Day!

Happy Administrative Assistants to everyone who help their bosses run the office often without any acknowledgement!  You are a very special group of people- I know I could not paw my business at all without my two Admins.!
Used by Permission, GraphicStock

A Barkingly Pawsome Paw Full of Gratitude and Thank You's To:

Dog Mom

  • Files Taxes
  • Handles all business matters
  • Chief Fiscal Officer
  • Senior Accountant
  • Pets me daily
  • Scratches my belly daily
  • Business Manager
  • And, so much more!


Dog Dad

  • Turns Computer "on"
  • Turns Computer "off"
  • Who I walk daily
  • Pets me daily
  • Scratches my belly daily
  • Cleans up after me
  • Takes me to see the Vet (minus points for that one, WOOF!)
  • Does my grooming
  • Other duties as assigned
  • BARK!!
Happy Administrative 
Assistants Day!

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Alexandria's Walk for the Animals!

Used by Permission, Animal Welfare League of Alexandria

Looking for a fun way to support animals while having fun with your own dog?  Check this out:

Give Alexandria's Animals Your Heart and Soles
#WalkwithDoug
Alexandria's Walk for Animals
Sunday, May 1, 2016
9 a.m. to noon
at Alexandria's Old Town Market Square!

Put on your walking shoes, grab your dog's favorite leash, a few necessities and come enjoy Alexandria’s Walk for the Animals!

WOOF!!!  Celebrate animals in our community and help raise funds for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who work to care for animals in need.

The Walk, which begins in Old Town Alexandria's Market Square, will be hosted by Dr. Katy Nelson of The Pet Show with Dr. Katy. We’ll have plenty of fun activities for kids, including a "search for lost animals” along the 1.5 mile-long course (click here for route map). We’ll have goodies for every registrant (human and animal) as well as pet-friendly and kid-friendly vendors to explore.

Interested to learn more? Please visit the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria!


Friday, April 22, 2016

Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Operation Paws for Homes

Are you interested in dog adoption?  Do you have large breed experience? Are you looking for the absolutely pawfect dog who will love you unconditionally and will make your life pawsome just because the dog is there?  Paws, well, I'm not available as I have a human to keep in line, busy and out of trouble, but, how about this pawsome dog, Sinchi, from Operation Paws for Homes?

"Sinchi"
(C) Operation Paws for Homes
Sinchi loves all humans, will listen to and work hard for those he respects!  His human will need to be alright with a hard-headed dog who loves life and will to earn his respect! They can be a great challenge and add a great aspect of life- just ask my human!  WOOF!!

Sinchi is a energy brown/black mix of hound mix!

A few of Sinchi's pawtastic qualities are-

Pawfect age:  4.5 years old so he'll love you a long time AND all your shoes are safe!

Crate and house trained: Will settle in crate while humans work if need be. He has pawcellent house manners! He used to have free reign of the house!

Pawcellent intelligence - Sinchi walks great on leash and knows basic commands like "sit," "down," "shake," "come," and "stay."

Good with all humans family - Mini-humans need to be over the age of 12 and familiar with large dogs!

He loves the outdoors!  Sinchi loves to go for rides in the car and playing outside!

LOVES to LOVE!  Sinchi can always use a hug or a pet, making every day special. Gives great kisses too!  He bonds quickly and just wants to be with near you!

NOT cat friendly! Sinchi loves to chase cats and cannot be broken of this behavior!

Dog tolerant - Sinchi would do prefers to be the only dog or with a very submissive dog the same size as him. He is toy and food aggressive towards other dogs.

Sinchi is ready to join your family!  He is up to date on his vaccinations!

Interested in meeting Sinchi?  Please complete the Operation Paws for Homes Adoption Application.

Interested in learning more about dog adoption, please visit Operation Paws for Homes Adoption Guide.


Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.

Happy Friday! Hope you have had a pawsome week and have great plans for the weekend.  When my human worked in an office, he would look so forward to the weekends when Mom, me and Dad could spend time goofing off together.  Sometimes we'd goof off by taking really long walks, visiting a local park or taking a weekend trip.  Either way, he loved having Mom and I along making a barkingly pawsome way to end a week.

Are you looking into dog adoption?  Looking for a friend to spend free time with?  My friend "Lab Lady" brought by a beautiful young lady who is looking for her "Forever Home!"   Meet Emmie-

"Emmie"
(C) Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc. 
Emmie is a 18 month old Black Labrador Retriever.  She comes from the country with no exposure to big cities so she is looking for a home in single family house in a suburban neighborhood, or rural area.

Emmie is one sweet, happy, cute, adorable and loving puppy who loves attention and has that cool "rockin' head" tilt common with us pawfect Blac Labrador Retrievers.  She loves to curl up in her human's lap so they can poet her better and will give them doggy kisses in return!

Emmie is pawfect on a leash making those long exploring walks or hikes a lot of barkingly pawsome!


Want to go for a ride this spring?  Emma will be right there with you as she does pawcellent in the car!

Emmie likes to retrieve and play with stuffed toys and wants a yard where she can play and explore!
"Emmie"
(C) Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc. 

Emmie knows the "sit" command and is learning others.  She will have a training addendum as she is a young girl and can use some additional training to become the greatest dog she can be!! WOOF!!!

Emmie is recommended for children over the age of 10.  She has no cat history and does well with other dogs.

Emmie is Heartworm positive but Lab Rescue will pay for Heartworm treatment if done at one of their vets.

Up to date on all her vaccinations, Emmie is ready to go home!

Interested in meeting Emmie?  Please visit the Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc..


Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League

Great Dane are awesome dogs- I have so much pawsome fun with these guys since I look up to them and really have to, uh, look up to these gentle giants.  They are bigger than me- which says alot, but so pawsome in their gentleness!

This week, my friend at the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League brought by a most beautiful female 16 month old Great Dane/Labrador Retriever Mix for you to meet. Please meet Bella!

"Bella!"
(C) Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League
Bella lost her home due to housing restrictions for her humans.  They loved her very much, and I can see why!

Being outside, playing with dogs of all sizes and humans of all sizes is one of Bella's barking pawsome favorite things to do!  She is looking for humans who love to play and have a fenced where yard they can have fun together!  WOOF!!!

Bella is crate and house trained.  She can keep herself entertained with chew toys and bones!  She will wait patiently in her crate waiting for the humans to come home.

A very smart girl, learns fast and is eager to please, Bella has learned quite a few things to make her humans happy like walking politely on a leash, what TV with her foster Dad's little girls and just hanging with the humans!  She will have an obedience training will be a requirement of her adoption so she can continue becoming a pawsome dog!

If you are looking for a new best friend with lots of energy, Bella is the dog for you!  Bella would be happiest and do best with an active family, with least 1 other dog, and children over 8 years old.

If you would like to meet this pawsome girl, please visit Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League!





Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Lab Rescue Walk 2016

Used by permission of Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.
WOOF!! My friend "Lab Lady" shared with me details of the 2016 Lab Rescue Dog Walk which is celebrating 25 years of saving Labs on Sunday, May 15, 2016!

I met "Lab Lady" several years ago.  I contacted her after reading about the rescue in a local newspaper.  Barkingly pawsome, we've been friends ever since. She keeps me up to date with all the Lab Rescue's work and introduces me to Labs who need humans and "Forever Homes" so I can share them with you through my column, "Friday's Friend!"
Used by permission of Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.

"Lab Lady" shares with me, "In 1991, a group of Lab lovers recognized the need to rescue Labs that lost their homes. 2016 is the year we celebrate our 25th Anniversary and it's the year that we anticipate reaching a lifetime number of Labs saved of 15,000!"

"To celebrate, this year's 'Walk' is dedicated to those 15,000 lives saved. Join Lab Rescue as they celebrate the Labs and the countless volunteers who have made it possible for us to meet two great milestones in one year!"

Barkingly pawsome! Get out your walking shoes along with your furry best buddy and help raise funds for Lab Rescue.  Here are few things to know and keep in mind-

  • The walk is an easy mile at the Quiet Waters Park.  The trail runs through the wood so staying cool should be easy. 
  •  A wide variety of shopping, eating, and entertainment choices will be available.
  • All dogs are welcome- don't have to be a Labrador Retriever to participate! Nor, does the dog have to be one rescued by Lab Rescue- this is a "Pawty" for ALL dogs!  WOOF!
  • There will be food and water for humans and dogs- a few talented bakers will be setting up a bake sale!!  And, BOTTOMLESS WATER BOWLS!!  WOOF!!!!!!!
  • Be sure to bring bug spray and screen! Though some will be available at the info. desk, best to bring your own.
  • The Dog Walk is held rain or shine!  Keep your eye on the weather and planning appropriately.  WOOF!
  • Registration is easy- visit "Lab Rescue - Walk" and click "Register!" Volunteers need to register too.
  • Interested in volunteering at the walk, email sarah.h@lab-rescue.org.  She will connect you with a volunteer coordinator.
  • Have a question not covered here, just send an email to sarah.h@lab-rescue.org.  She will be happy to get you an answer!
Used by permission of Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.
Our thanks to Lab Rescue and it's volunteers for their countless hours of dedication to finding homes for Labrador Retrievers!  PAWS TO YOU!!!


Friday, April 15, 2016

Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Operation Paws for Homes

WOOF! Bark!! I thought about letting you know- "IT'S FRIDAY!! IT'S FRIDAY!" but I figured, you already know that- what human doesn't know when Friday arrives!

Are you interested in meeting a dog to join you and your family for weekend fun?  I'd like you to meet my friend "Bobot" from Operation Paws for Homes!

"Bobot"
(C) Rescue[d] Dog Photography by Allen Pearson
Bobot is a 58 lbs., handsome 4-year old Treeing Walker Coonhound!

Bobot is sweet, calm guy looking for a "Forever Home" to chill and hang out.  He doesn't need a whole lot of exercise, prefers to hang with his humans! A  "one in a million" dog!

Completely house trained and very attentive to being with his human.

Bobot gets along well with other dogs and enjoys humans.  My human met him at an adoption event and thought he was one cool character- he will make a family a good companion.

Bobot is up to date on vaccines, neutered, and micro-chipped.

Interested in meeting Bobot?  Please compete the Operation Paws for Home Adoption Application.

Interested in learning more about dog adoption?  Visit the Operation Paws for Homes Adoption Guide.


Friday's Friend: Dog Adoption, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League

WOOF!! BARK!!! My friend at the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League has brought her friend "Odin" for me to introduce to you!  WOOF!!

"Foster Dad with Odin"
(C) Allen Pearson
Odin came back to the rescue as one of the dogs in his new "Forever Home" was struggling to accept him and was working through fear and aggression issues.  arf!

Odin is one giant goofy, silly, and fun puppy who LOVES playtime and will turn 2 in May.  My human will be turning, uh, well, lets say it's not 2, it's more like many decades more than that- er, uh, hmmmmph- in May!

Pawsingly, Odin loves to play with squeaky toys, especially those huge pawfect Kong toys and tug of war!  He is very clear when he is ready to play as he brings his toy of choice, places it in your lap with very sad eyes that are barkingly impossible to ignore!  WOOF!!!!!

Odin is working on learning appropriate playtime manners as he is mouthy when it's time to play!

Odin's very large size can be intimidating to other dogs so he is looking for a home that has another very large, easy going, yet playful dog to be his buddy.

Odin is currently living with two cats and hasn't shown any aggression but often chases them trying to get them to play- which the cats do not appreciate very
much! My friend at the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League believe he will do well with a very large canine sibling, but he can be slow to warm up to other dogs, especially if they express nervousness around him.

Odin is house trained with only an occasional accident when he gets too excited or nervous. 

"Odin"
(C) Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League
Odin enjoys staying in a guest room lounging on his own bed and watching Animal Planet on TV while his foster humans go to work! WOOF! arf? Need to ask my humans about that!!

Odin enjoys meeting new people, he greets them with leans and kisses in typical Great Dane fashion!

While looking for his "Forever Home" and humans to love, he will be doing some basic training lessons to help improve his leash walking and work on learning manners. Formal obedience training will be a part of Odin’s adoption contract.

Odin is looking for a "Forever Home" with no mini-humans, probably no cats and another very large easy going and playful dog.

If you would like to meet Odin and learn about dog adoption, please visit Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League.



Friday's Friend: Dog Adoption, Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.

 WOOF!! Happy Friday! The weather has been pawsome these past few days so my human and I have been having fun outside working in the yard and exploring nature trails in the area.

If you like to do things outside, a dog can make it so much fun,  Consider dog adoption from a rescue like Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc. or any of the others we write about each week.

My friend "Lab Lady" has brought a cool dude for you to meet this week - Quincy!

"Quincy"
(C) Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.
 Quincy is a 7 year old male Chocolate Labrador Retriever!  WOOF!!!  We Labs are pawesome!  He came to the Lab Rescue due to a divorce beween his humans,

Quincy is looking for a "Forever Home" where he can be the only dog and be it to the bestest he can be!!  He cannot have a cat in the home as he chases them!  WOOF!!!!
"Quincy"
(C) Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.

Quincy loves to cuddle and do the "Lab Lean" with his humans.  A trait quality that is truly loved and pawsome!  He loves his head, ears, chin, and chest rubbed and his eyes quickly glazed over before he completely closed them with pure pup-dog happy contentment!  WOOF!!!

Quincy loves bananas and apples and has never ever met a cookie he didn't like!  And antlers are pawsome!

Quincy is house and crate trained.  He sleeps through the night but if you get up, he will check on you and go back to sleep.

Short walks, cuddling with his humans, napping, eating and just chillin' are Quincy's favorite things to do!

Quincy is approved for mini-humans over the age of 10 and not for cats- he likes to chase them!  WOOF!!

Quincy has age-re;ated arthritis and a weak back end so he needs to go to a home with limited steps.  He takes glucosamine supplements daily.

Up to date on his vaccinations, Quincy is ready to meet his humans to make their life more fun by having him in it!

Watch Quincy's video here: Quincy- ADOPT ME!

Interested in learning about dog adoption and meeting Quincy?  Please contact Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.