Montgomery County Humane Society's "Holiday with the Shelter Dogs"

"Big Bruno and Baxter"

My friend "Big Bruno" sent me  information about a special Christmas event happening at the Montgomery County Humane Society in Maryland.  It's a really cool event, so I had to share with you what it's about.

While waiting for their loving "Forever Homes", shelter pets welcome extra attention, toys, and treats this time of year. Here's how a group of volunteers, and you, are helping:

A group of Montgomery County Humane Society (MCHS) volunteer dog walkers are hosting a special Holiday with the Shelter Dogs on Thursday, December 20. Want to support the event?  Bark! Pet Supply Stores in Rockville, Gaithersburg/Kentlands, and Olney are accepting donations no later than December 19, to include blankets, bones (not rawhide), toys and other items on the MCHS Wish List located on our website.

You drop off your your donations to the Holiday with the Shelter Dogs box at the shelter lobby. Volunteers will distribute the gifts to the dogs on December 20, as well as give them some extra time and attention.

For our friends who prefer to shop online, the MCHS Wish Lists is on
Amazon.com, and features an array of needed items for Cats and Kittens, Dogs and Puppies, and Other Animals, as well as General Care and Supplies.

Happy shopping! Thank you to our contributors and volunteers for making life a little more comfortable for shelter pets awaiting adoption during the holidays.

Christmas Gifts Festival- DeeJayStar

"Shiz"

Miniature Watercolors is a new one on me- of course, if my human hasn't shown it to me, most arts and crafts are new to me and this one is new!! That's been the fun of this "Christmas Gifts Festival", getting to meet new people and seeing new forms of art.

I would for you to meet another human.

I am a human and pet painter, who is always a sucker for a charity but specialize in 5x7" miniature watercolors around the holidays. From your own photo, these are truly personal memorials for a friend no longer with us or a great celebration of a great friend.

Contact me at deejaystar@yahoo.com for more info and pricing estimate. Never charged until the price is set!

"Box Pup"

"Mia"

"Schultz"

"Shibu"

Christmas Gifts Festival - Allen Pearson's Photos

"Wanna Play?"

I can’t host a Christmas Gifts Festival on my blog without including my human’s photography.  Especially since I like it so much and he is so great at it. Is that enough Dad?  Do I get my treat now?  Oops.  Sorry.

 

"Grape Hyacinth"

My human began photographing nature in 2002.  He began photographing when he was applying to get his Wildlife Garden certified and they required pictures with the documentation.  Loving nature, he loved photographing it.  His philosophy was to photograph the “unique” beauty found in nature.  He spent several years showing his work at art festivals and exhibits.

"Watching the Children Play"

Though he enjoyed photographing nature, he always wanted to photograph dogs.  In August 2010, an opportunity came up for him to photograph for PetConnect Rescue, Potomac, MD, which gave him the chance to try his skills with dogs.   From that point on, he has loved every chance he’s gotten to photograph dogs for rescue organizations.

He photographs for clients who would like photographs of their dogs or cats.  He emphasizes the importance of capturing the dogs or cats fun and unique personality for the client’s enjoyment.  He offers prints, framed prints, canvas wraps, and an assortment of fun products like mugs, mouse pads and the list could go on but I’d run out of room…..

"The Dog's Profile"

 Currently, my human, Allen Pearson, is available to photograph for clients and rescue organizations in the Northern Virginia area.   His website is Allen Pearson's Photos.  Also, we share a few pages at Facebook-AllenPearsonsPhotos and www.twitter.com/AllensPhotos. He has his own blog, when he’s not messing with mine, er, uh, about photography and gardening at Lenses in Bloom!.  

(do I get my treat now....??)

"Caladium"

Friday's Friends

I've invited a buddy of mine and one my human has photographed and enjoyed meeting quite a bit as well as a new cat friend to join me today.

Meet Pacino. An adult American Staffordshire Terrier / Mixed (short coat) with a medium build.

My human met Pacino at a photo shoot in Falls Church and then, again, at an event in Reston.  He was surprised at the sweet loving nature of the dog.  Don't get me wrong, nothing to do with his breed or against him but most dogs don't come running at human, jump up and lick him the face!  Of course, my human was kneeling down to photograph when it happened.  And no!  I was not happy when he came home with a face smelling like another dog- until he told me the story.

"Pacino"

He was rescued by Ambassador Pit Bulls in Gainesville, Virginia.  Though he has scares on his face and body, and was left at a shelter in the middle of the night, all of which indicate he's had a rough time, Pacino wants nothing more than to be your constant companion.  

Meet gentle, sweet, loving Pacino. We don't know what happened to him before he was left in a crate at the shelter in the middle of the night, but he has scars on his face and body that say he's had a rough time. Despite that he is an absolutely wonderful dog, calm, attentive, and wanting nothing more than to be your constant companion. 

If you have room for another dog in your heart and home, please consider giving this great boy a forever home. Currently, he's living with a senior female pit bull and a 25lb. corgi (his BFF). Pacino has so much personality and would make a snuggly, hilarious addition to any home.

For adoption information, Ambassador Pit Bulls.

My Cat Lady friend from PetConnect Rescue stopped by this week.  She's such a kind lady... she brought me a cat friend to introduce to you.  And, how cool is this?  My human met this kitty a few weeks ago and photographed this!

Please meet Minnie.  

Minnie is the perfect name for this beauty because she is mini! She is a petite little girl who will always look like a kitten.(oh..... wouldn't it be great to look young forever!)  Minnie's Mom is Siamese and Minnie inherited her sophisticated look, just not her fur color. Minnie has super sleek, shiny fur and a long tail that she elegantly wraps around like a porcelain figurine. 

Minnie is vocal.  When she wants attention, she purrs loudly to let you know her appreciation when you pet her. She gets along with other cats, dogs and kids. 

She prefers her own dish at feeding time and likes to dine alone, but when she isn't eating she will be your constant companion and you will just love having her around! 

Minnie is healthy, spayed and current on her vaccinations. 

If you would like to meet Minnie, please complete the online application and we will contact you,  PetConnect Rescue Online Application.

Thank you to Ambassador Pit Bulls, PetConnect Rescue and Allen Pearson's Photos for supplying information for today's "Friday's Friend."

Adopt a Dog or Cat Event Calendar

Several of my buddies are going to be at local events this weekend for adoption.  And, please keep in mind, if you are thinking about giving a dog or cat for Christmas, be sure the receiving party is ready for the responsibility that follows. Dogs and cats shouldn't be returned after the Christmas present novelty wears off.   They have feelings just like you do.

Also, I've added a few feature this week.  I've included the links to the Facebook pages for each rescue featured.  You can "Like" them and keep up with their events.

If you are looking for a dog or cat, check these events out:

www.ambassadorpitbulls.org

Facebook

Sunday, December 9, 2012

10:00 am to 1:00 pm

7005 Manchester Blvd. 

Franconia, VA 22310

www.ophrescue.org

Facebook

Sunday, December 9, 2012

12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Olde Towne School For Dogs

529 Oronoco Street

Alexandria, VA

P: (703) 836-7643

www.petconnectrescue.org

Facebook

Saturday, December 08, 2012 

11:00 am to1:00 pm

Dog Adoption Event at Frederick PetSmart

5401 Urbana Pike 

Frederick, MD 21704

Have a great weekend!

Christmas Gifts Festival- "Pugs and Pics

"Don't Be Shy"

"Child of God"

This Christmas Gifts Festival has been fun- I've met several different artists over these past few weeks- I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have and can find your human a great gift or if you are a human, you can find something for the dog or cat lover in your life.

Allow me to introduce to you, Kim J. Gifford. She is a writer, photographer, artist and pug lover specializing in digital photo collages. Most of her collages feature dogs and particularly pugs. She creates the collages in Adobe Photoshop using “recycled images” that maybe weren’t picture-perfect as standalone shots, but work together to create a new vision of the inner world of animals and children.

Kim creates digital sketches on an I-pad using a program called brushes and produce a line of pug greeting cards. The cards are blank inside with a short saying about the photo on the back. The collages are sold matted in a clear plastic sleeve. The greeting cards come with an envelope also in a clear plastic sleeve.

For size and pricing information, you can visit my web site at www.pugsandpics.com or contact me via my facebook page at www.facebook.com/kjgiffordphotography

"Gone to the Dogs"

"Reflective Stroll"

Christmas Gifts Festival - AJ's Studio

"Dog"

It seems that I have taken a journey all over the country, which is great, introducing you to many artists who create great gifts for the Dog and/or Cat Lover in your life.  We were just in Illinois, and now we're visiting Arksansas! 

Please meet Audra Jones who paints pet portraits. She began painting watercolors of animals 12 years ago when her mother asked her to paint a friend's dog that had passed away.

Since then, she has completed many portraits of pets- dogs, cats, and reptiles. Each makes a wonderful gift and keepsake! A 8x10 framed portrait starts at $135. My studio, AJs Art Studio, may be found on Facebook, Etsy, and at www.AJsArtStudio.com.

I look forward to meeting your furry, or not so furry, friend! Audra

"Hampton"

"Lily"

"Raccoon"