Lost Family Considers Eating Their Dog To Survive

I can't imagine being in a place where the thought of eating my dog would actually come into my head.  But then again, I have never been lost in the middle of a forest for six days with no food or water.  That is exactly what happened to this Gold Beach, Oregon family.  Dan and Belinda Conne along with their 25-year-old son Michael and dog, Jesse, all went into the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest to do some mushroom picking.  During their adventure they became badly lost.

Over the next six days they were struggling to survive as they could not start a fire and had no food.  It was at the height of their desperation that Dan Conne began to think that Jesse, his four-legged companion could become a source of protein for he and his family. “She’s that good a dog, she’d have done it, too,” said Conne, 47.

Thankfully, before the family had to make such a horrible decision, they were able to get the attention of the rescue helicopter by using suns reflection against a blade of a knife and dead cell phone.  "The wife had the Blackberry and I had the knife," Dan Conne told The Associated Press. "I kept flashing. The wife said, 'You're blinding them.' But I wanted to make sure they seen us. I wasn't taking no chance."

The three humans were air lifted to the nearest hospital and Jesse was walked out by a ground rescue team.  Once Dan Conne was released from the hospital, he picked Jesse up at the animal shelter where she was sent.  Needless to say, she was very happy to see him.

I know it is easy to read this story and think how awful this person must be to think of eating his dog.  But think about the desperate situation he was in.  I don't know what I would do if I were in his shoes.  I am pretty sure there is no way I could do that, I would find another way to survive.  But I think it is hard to know what you would do if you think you are going to die.  What do you think?

For the full story, with many more details, bark on the link:  BARK! 

Love Your Dog Pooch Parade Fun!

Last night was the Love Your Dog Pooch Parade and we had such a great time!  The dogs were great and the people were a blast!  It was a small group, but we had big fun.  There was a threat of rain, but thankfully it did not happen!  We ended up with a clear night and a busy city to challenge our pooches.

A special thank you to Pussy & Pooch for hosting us at the Paw Bar, the dogs loved their treats!

Another thank you to Portofino's for use of your beautiful patio and providing such yummy treats for us humans!

To all the joined in the fun, participants and my team of helpers... thank you too!  It was a great night and I can't wait to do it again.

McDonald's Offending Dog Lovers With Radio Spot

McDonald's seems to always be in the hot spot, if it isn't what their meat is actually made of, it is something else.  Today I read that they had a spot running on the radio that really offended dog lovers, Pit Bull lovers to be specific. 

The spot is an ad for the new chicken McBites.  They are making comparisons of risky behaviors vs. trying the new McBites.  One of the many "risky" behaviors listed is petting a stray Pit Bull.  Listen below:



Once McDonald's felt the heat the put out a statement via twitter that said:  “We didn’t mean to offend anyone and the ad is being pulled.”  However, the promotion is said to have ended on February 5th anyway.

I think when we have a win, we take it.  They apologized and pulled the ad, what more can  we ask for.  The silly part is that they could've said pet a stray dog and ended it there and we probably wouldn't have been so offended.  But adding fuel to a fire that is trying to be put out just shows how uneducated in the way of dog breeds the people creating these ads are.  

For all the details of the story, bark on the link:  BARK!

Here We Go

Well, I got to watch the Puppy Bowl and see our boy Anthony play his heart out!  That is about as in depth as I get with sports.  I did, however, see some of the commercials and the halftime show.  Both Madonna on the Super Bowl and the Kitties on the Puppy Bowl.  Those kitties are hard to beat! 

The commercial that I have to share with all of you today is my favorite for a couple of reasons.  One, it is just fun, but even more important, it spreads a great message to not count out a rescue dog.  I would love to see the day that the term rescue dog means talented, sweet, loving and the best all around.  Instead of the current meaning of scared, abused and broken.  Cheers to the Bud Light marketing team!

I hope this will brighten your Monday... especially for those of you that had more party than Super Bowl.

A Great Reason To Watch The Puppy Bowl!

I would've watched the Puppy Bowl just to watch the cute puppies, that is reason enough for most of us.  I really had no idea until I read this Huffington Post article, where these puppies come from and what a great thing it is that the Animal Planet is doing with the Puppy Bowl.  Below is the article and if this isn't the best reason to watch, I don't know what is!

On Sunday, Feb. 5, the players will enter the stadium, line up, and prepare to ... catch a tiny plastic football. That's right, the 59 fuzzy MVPs of the sporting world's cutest event are gearing up for their shining moment: it's time for the 2012 Puppy Bowl.

The teammates hitting the field aren't just adorable, but they also come from humble beginnings. To find the purr-fect stars for this year's sporting spectacle, Animal Planet worked with website Petfinder.com to locate animals in need from 32 shelters and rescue groups across 20 states. The pups and kittens -- tiny stars of the Puppy Bowl Kitten Halftime Show -- come from a diverse array of states including Mississippi, Vermont, Rhode Island and Kentucky, and all returned home after the event to find families.

Anthony, a pitbull/hound mix from Linden, N.J., found his "forever home" after a roller coaster of a ride through the first few months of his life.

Donna Beach, owner of All Star Pet Rescue, found Anthony's mother in the woods and rescued her as she prepared to give birth to a new litter. A few months later, the shelter went through the process of applying for Puppy Bowl VIII and Anthony was among the three puppies included from the shelter, along with friends Ray and Gracie.

Karen Luberto and her 9-year-old son, Raymond, found their way to a Puppy Bowl preliminary taping on the urging of Karen's sister, Donna.

"We weren't ready for a puppy," said Karen. "But then my son met Anthony. They just bonded immediately. That was it."

Though Karen was resistant, the connection between Raymond and Anthony could not be denied. Raymond swore to take care of the tiny black puppy with the big brown eyes and she gave in.

Even though Raymond and Anthony had met at a previous shelter event, the two made their real connection at Puppy Bowl, and Karen followed through with the adoption process right away. Even though the pup had originated at a family-run facility, she had to complete the same paperwork as any other prospective owner through Petfinder.

Since then, Anthony -- who enjoys his new life under the name Gunther as the result of a family Facebook poll -- has become an integral part of the family, even sleeping with Raymond. And Anthony's 9 litter-mates? They've all found homes, including the mother dog, who enjoys a cozy life with Karen's sister, Donna.

While the rest of the world is choosing their football alliance, Anthony, Karen, Raymond and their close friends will be enjoying the dog's debut in the 2012 Puppy Bowl.

"It's kind of a big deal, we're planning a party!" Karen said. Beyond the cupcakes and banners you'll find one very happy puppy -- once a shelter dog, then a TV star, and now a family man.

No matter if you watch the Super Bowl, the Puppy Bowl or no bowl... have a great weekend and make sure to do something fun with your dog!  Happy Friday!

What's Up Downtown February!

Happy Groundhogs Day!  Happy February as well!  I think most of us think of February as the month of love... but that is not all the month has to offer us.  If you are looking for new restaurants to try, museum exhibits to see, events to experience or concerts to enjoy, Downtown can provide all!  Below are some of my picks to highlight from this What's Up Downtown February!

The Grammy Museum is hosting two events I am very excited about (many more as well), first, in honor of celebrating LOVE, check out The Beatles Love: A Fifth Anniversary Cirque de Soleil Showcase, open until 2/28/2012.  Also, coming on 2/16/2012 An Evening with Michelle Phillips from The Mamas and Papas, what amazing stories she has and sure to give another insight on music of the time!

Looking for something special for Valentines Day?  Well the calendar has two events listed for couples, Valentine's Dinner at Smeraldi's and Sweetheart's Package at Suede Bar & Lounge.  But I know if you put your reservation in, any of your favorites Downtown would be the perfect place for you and your Valentine.  Or maybe this is the perfect time to try one of the new locations Downtown (from this month or month past), this month we welcome Little Bear on Industrial St. for that Belgian pub feel and if you want more casual and healthy, try Planetalis on Figueroa.  But if you want amazing food and an upscale environment, help welcome back for their reopening Water Grill, on Grand.

Now for my personal favorite... what to do with your dog this month!  Yes, it is me shamelessly promoting my own event that amazingly still has a couple of spots left, The LOVE Your Dog Pooch Parade on February 7th!  It is the night to take your doggie on a date as we go through the Historical Core of Downtown.  This is a workshop style of class with a twist of fun!  During the walk we will concentrate on obedience and manners in the city, working with all the distractions the city provides including other dogs and people.  For the dogs we stop in at Pussy & Pooch and for the humans we end the night at Portofino's on their dog-friendly patio for some treats of our own.  There are only two more days to RSVP, so sign up today!  Bark on the link:  BARK!

Whatever you do this month, I hope you do a lot of it Downtown and support this great city!

The Power Of A Dog's Nose

K9 Magazine newsletter had a great warm and fuzzy article this morning.  It is a story of how a family dog lead his owner to a former family house.  The crazy part is that the family had not lived there for 70 years!  I think it is great way to kick off the month of February!

A Massachusetts man recently discovered a forgotten part of his family's past when, during a walk in their new neighborhood, his dog led him to his father's childhood home from 70 years previous – a house that not even his father remembered, as he was only two when he lived there. They've turned this story, along with other dog tales, into a book called Follow the Dog Home: How a Simple Walk Unleashed an Incredible Family Journey. The hardcover release is February 1, 2012. We all know February is the month for love, and who doesn't love dogs? Corny? Yes. But the storyline isn't.

After moving to Wellesley, Massachusetts for an anchor job with a major television sports network, Kevin began taking his German Shepherd, Beverly, for walks in the surrounding neighborhoods. They developed a route that included historic Atwood Street. Beverly kept veering toward one house in particular that had also caught Kevin's eye previously, thinking it looked familiar but not knowing the reason.

After talking to a close family relative who had also once lived in Wellesley, Kevin was shocked to discover that the memorable house had once been a childhood home to his father, Bob Walsh, before WWII. After digging through old family photos that had been tucked away for years, Kevin uncovered a picture of his father as a toddler with his family on the house's front porch, complete with their first family dog, Dee Dee.

Kevin's father had been writing short stories about all of their family dogs through the years, but never knew about the photo. Its discovery was the pivotal moment that offered proof that the Walsh family's journey with dogs had come back to the exact place where it started.

Follow the Dog Home, which Publishers Weekly called "quaint and most charming," was written by Kevin Walsh, his father Bob, and his daughter Samantha. Bob lives in Ledyard, Connecticut, with his wife, Mary McGrattan. He is retired from a forty-year career in the pharmaceutical industry and now spends his days fishing, building fly rods, feeding the homeless, and traveling. Regularly by Bob's side is his ever-faithful dog, Annie the Corgi.

Samantha, who is only ten, loves taking care of her family's German Shepherd, Beverly, and dancing in ballet performances. She hopes to one day become a veterinarian.

Kevin lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with his wife, Jean, and daughters Samantha and Amanda. He is a seasoned sports and news broadcaster with Comcast SportsNet New England and New England Cable News. Kevin's first book, The Marrow in Me, details his courageous journey as a bone marrow donor.

This is a great story that shows the love between owners and their dogs! 

Show the love you have for your dog and sign up for the Love Your Dog Pooch Parade today!
To RSVP, bark on the link:  BARK!