Support the ASPCA

Last year, purchases through the ASPCA Web store helped contribute to the rescue of over 2,000 puppy mill dogs. Continue your support. Visit the store today!

Dog gone this is a great video: Letterman - Stupid Pet Tricks: Playing Dead

This is a wonder example of a brilliant pup!!!

Dogs for Obama

Congratulations to our new President on this historic day in America.
We at Canine Element also want to extend our thanks to all our working canine brothers and sisters who are involved in keeping our President safe. Woof, WooF!

Event: Dog Days of Winter (HSV Botanical Garden Jan 17-Feb 28, 2009)

I love it when an organization finds a way to serve the community in new ways. I think the HSV Botanical Garden continues to do just that! This is the second year the gardens have "gone to the dogs"!

From january 17th to February 28th, bring your pooch for a stroll through the Garden! All you have to do is purchase a one-day Paw Pass for your pup for $1 and wander through the Dogwood Trail and outer loop. What a nice thing to do for dog lovers in the greater Huntsville area.

Read more at http://hsvbg.org/events.htm

Thanks HSV Botanical Gardens for your great events!

Diary of Dog - Dec 31, 2008

Sunrise on St. Georges Island - mom watched the Australian New Year's fireworks show on TV this morning and then hurried us down to the beach. We watched the sun emerge on this last day of 2008. Fresh new smells, new crab holes and sand dunes to explore. Funny how the beach changes overnight. This has been the best vacation ever - we've decided we like running on the beach just as well as hiking in the mountains. The birds are much easier to see and the sand makes for a great chase. Bailey caught a crab but we have not caught any birds. Good thing, mom hates it when we catch things.
Mom, when are we moving?

Diary of Dog - December 18, 2008

8:27 AM we have just returned from our morning stroll on the beach. So much fun to dig in the sand and chase those sea gulls. (Bailey) is getting a bit brave to stand on the edge of the water line. Can I back away in time so the wave doesn't roll over my feet? A very fun game. (Sheba) on the other hand, I'm not about to get my feet in that water. Let's walk further away from the water mom.

Pet Ten Commandments

The following Commandments were sent to us recently and we were so impressed, we wanted to share it with you. We apologize but we do not know the original human author.


Remember that they can't do a lot of things for themselves and that they depend on you to make their life a quality life!
A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me pl ease. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.

~Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs

Diary of Dog - December 15, 2008

8:27 AM Woof..mom has not been posting on this thing in awhile. That is because she has been working so much getting us ready to go on a trip. She says we are going on a beach vacation. We've never been to a beach but she says that sea shell in her bathroom use to live there. Smells like fish but that thing was not too tasty. Mainly hard and crunchy. We love to eat fish! Hope we have a huge feast whenever we get there.

Diary of Dog - December 1, 2008

8:27 AM WOOF, Woooof, woof...mom..MOM..come quick, come quick...there is something falling from the sky..let us out. We've got to catch it! Snow in Alabama - we haven't seen this in awhile. This is so much fun. Let's get those flakes.

Online Deals

Check out Jake's Dog House today -- Free Shipping

Diary of Dog - Nov. 24, 2008

8:27 AM - wow, mom is fixing us chicken livers for breakfast. We haven't had that in awhile. Bummer for the chicken but good for us! We love the fact that mom fixes homemade dishes.

I See the Light

Devil or Enlightened? CUTE!

Diary of Dog - Nov. 18, 2008

8:27 AM - The following came to us from a shelter pup! We think it says it all:

(a dogs point of view)


Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering
apprehensively into the kennels.
I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.
I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.
As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I
had in the back of my cage.
I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today.
Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to
think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my
past.
I only have the future to look forward to and want to make
a difference in someone's life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.
I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort
her.
Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.
A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all
would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly
jumped into her arms.
I would promise to keep her safe.
I would promise to always be by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and
sparkle in her eyes.
I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor.
So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors.
So many more to be saved.
At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Diary of Dog - Nov. 17, 2008

8:27 AM - Our mom is rabbit sitting again for Harve because Grandmom had to go out of town. We really want to see Harve but we are not allowed in his room. We promised not to chomp on him if we could see him, but mom knows we have rabbit stew on our minds.
A very tasty stew. Still wondering what makes some rabbits pets and others dinner.
I'm not sure humans can answer that question.
hey,hey,hey....mom found us a rabbit we can play with from amazon.com - take a look at this toy: We can't put this in stew but we can still give it a good chew!

Diary of Dog - Nov. 15, 2008

8:27 AM - The wind is howling, leaves are blowing and it looks like it might rain again today. Fun, fun, fun...the chill in the air always makes us frisky. Let us out mom so we can go chase the leaves... and let's not forget fence patrol...I think I see someone out there....Hurry, hurry, hurry...open the door! I'll race you Bailey!

Shiba Inu Puppy Cam

Live video chat by Ustream

These puppies are so cute. On the page where I found this there was some good info:

For more information on the Shiba Inu go here - http://www.shibas.org/docs/Shiba_Brochure_color2.pdf

Please do NOT purchase pet store (puppy mill) puppies!
Do your research to locate reputable breeders in your area.

Another option would be to consider adopting a rescue Shiba http://www.shibas.org/rescue.html

Go here for info on AKC breed standards - http://www.akc.org/breeds/shiba_inu/

Go here for info on Nippo breed standards - http://www.shibaweb.com/nihonken.htm

Dog (Hardcover) by Matthew Van Fleet (Author), Brian Stanton (Photographer)

While catching up on some Tivoed episodes of the Martha Stewart show I saw the author of this book. He was on the show demonstrating how to make a pull tabbed card, somewhat like pages in the book. This cute book highlights various critters and their behaviors, making comparisons and contrasts. On one page, a wheaton terrier (Little dog) is posed next to an English mastiff (Big dog) and a nervous-looking Chihuahua (Teeny dog quakes), while opposite, a neatly coiffed schnauzer backs away from a damp mutt in a tub and the verse finishes, Dry dog,/Wet dog–/shake,/shake,/shake! (a pull tab moves the bather's head from side to side). Buy this fun book for a little one in your life.

Looking for a gift for a dog lover?

Coldwater Creek has the greatest pins. They have one they call "Doggone Cute!" and the "Sweater Scotty Dog Pin".
Sweater Scotty Dog Pin	Scottie reindeer pin

Diary of Dog - Nov. 13, 2008

8:27 AM - oooooh! Mom's been delinquent in posting! For one thing, she went out of town and left us with grandmother. We love grandmother. She spoils us with lots of extra treats and roast beef. Yum, yum, yum, yum. But you know we miss our mom when she leaves us. We made her feel extra guilty when she came home. We gave her a quick greeting then we ignored her for awhile...just so she got the point. The point being...take us with you everywhere you go!!! We promise we will be good.
We think it worked! Mom is going to take us to the beach for the whole month of December. We don't really know what a beach is, but we are happy to get to go.
She's been getting our stuff together. She even got some new car seat covers. Can't wait to get a muddy footprint on that thing!

Humane Society of the U.S. Puppy Mill Awareness Week

The Humane Society of the United States’ Puppy Mill Action Week
Encourages “Puppy Friendly” Pet Stores
Take action to stop puppy mills November 16 to 22

(November 6, 2008) -- The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has announced its second annual Puppy Mill Action Week - - November 16 to 22 -- designed to educate the public about puppy mills just before the height of puppy buying season – the holidays.

This year during Puppy Mill Action Week, The HSUS asks that consumers work with local pet stores to encourage them to develop and implement “puppy friendly” policies, like refusing to sell puppies in their store and supporting shelter adoptions instead.

According to Stephanie Shain, puppy mill expert and director of The HSUS’ Stop Puppy Mills campaign, “Thousands of people have already signed our pledge to stop puppy mills, promising not to shop at stores where puppies are sold, and to never purchase a dog from a pet store or over the Internet. This year’s action week asks that consumers work with local pet stores and encourage them to support animal shelters rather than selling puppies. People should never buy a dog from a pet store or over the Internet.”

Puppy Mill Action Week consists of seven easy steps to take starting November 16:

• Visit your local pet store and encourage the store to become a Puppy Friendly Pet Store. Store owners who sign and return the pledge which declares that they will discontinue selling puppies in their store by the end of 2008, or those who “make official” a current policy of not selling puppies, will be listed on The HSUS website. They will also receive materials to display promoting their decision and to educate their customers on adopting a pet or finding a responsible dog breeder.
  
• Sign the “Stop Puppy Mills” pledge at humanesociety.org/puppymills promising not to shop at stores where puppies are sold.
  
• Contact and urge your elected officials to co-sponsor the Puppy Uniform Protection Statute (PUPS), HR 6949, to require broader federal oversight of puppy mills. Call the Capitol (202.224.3121) or visit humanesociety.org/leglookup to find your federal legislators. Urge Congress to support PUPS to help crack down on puppy mills and close a loophole allowing many massive mills to evade oversight.
  
• Purchase new “Stop Puppy Mills” merchandise as holiday gifts and stocking stuffers - new tote bags and other items are available at humanesociety.org/puppymills.
  
• Write to newspaper editors about the pet store/Internet puppy mill connection. Download a letter you can sign and send to your local paper at humanesociety.org/puppymills.
  
• Listen to and share the new version of “How Much is that Doggie in the Window” sung by Patti Page. She recorded the original nearly 60 years ago at a time before pet stores were filled with doggies from mills. Now, over the same familiar melody, new lyrics sing the praise of shelters instead of puppy mills, and the song is destined to become an anthem for homeless pets. Patti’s song may inspire you to visit your local animal shelter to see how you can offer support. Shelters bear the brunt of the homeless pet crisis caused by over-breeding.
  
• Re-visit! On November 22 -- the last day of Puppy Mill Action Week -- make a follow-up visit to the local pet store or even better, visit more stores in the community and ask them to sign on to be a Puppy Friendly Pet Store. Activists will be asked to work with their local stores to help facilitate partnerships with animal shelters that will bring new business into the stores and increase the adoption rates of local shelters.
  The HSUS combats puppy mills in many ways including leading some of the largest and most successful puppy mill rescues in history, supporting legislative changes, conducting groundbreaking investigations and litigation, and promoting public awareness.