A little while ago I asked you to vote for the Ottawa Dog Blog Parkfinder in the Apps4Ottawa Contest. Thank you to all who voted! Last night was the awards ceremony and Thomas‘ Dog Parkfinder won Bronze in his category!!

I am so very happy and even more proud and thankful to him for doing this for the Ottawa Dog Blog and its readers. It is a great app and I think that this win will bring dog parks into the forefront of the City of Ottawa’s minds, which is great for all of us. (Now if only they could get on adding one in Kanata!)

Here is a photo of Thomas accepting his award last night!

I’m not much of a reader, and most books I’ve been reading lately have been about dogs (not surprisingly). For Christmas this year, a co-worker gave me a book called Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love. I connected with it immediately and knew that I wanted to read it.

The book was such an inspirational story about a dog who has been through the worst events imaginable and managed to come through it and still be so sweet and loving. While parts of it are tough to read just because of the horrendous circumstances that surround the world of dog fighting, but it is totally worth the read to learn about this amazing dog.

Promo Video:

Oogy on Oprah:

You can find the book in bookstores and online.

One of Ottawa’s own local rescues, Westies in Need, had one of their success stories recently documented by The Pet Network. The video is beautiful, watch here:

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.

Written by Janine Allen CPDT, Rescue Me Dog’s professional dog trainer. Janine’s passion is working with people and their dogs. She provides demonstrations for those who have adopted shelter dogs, lends email support to adopted dog owners that need information beyond our Training Support Pages, and aids shelter staff and volunteers in understanding dog behavior to increase their adoptability. Copyright 2010 Rescue Me Dog; rescuemedog.org

There is always a wiggly-bum-waggy-tail waiting for me – well in my case two wiggly-bum-waggy-tails!
Even after a terrible day, coming home to my little guys is pure heaven.

This couple documented their return home and this is what they filmed. It’s beautiful and makes me smile.

Home Again from Kendrick Brinson on Vimeo.

(Ottawa Dog of the Week for June 21st/10)

“Nugget is a 10-year old Collie-German Shepherd mix. When I picked him up from a farm in Pembroke 10 years ago, he was the only one in the litter I could catch. His slowness that day was deceiving, however. These days, Nugget’s athletic nature allows him to keep up with speedy snowmobiles without a problem for long distances, always ready for more. On walks, he regularly pulls his brother, Tacoma along by the collar on their “double dog leash”, and he’s been known to scale 6-foot tall chain-link fences & climb ladders as necessary. In addition to his athletic nature, he’s as smart as a whip and sometimes I’m convinced he understands English as well as most people. On walks, he ellicits “ooooohhhs” and “aaahhhs” from passers-by and the occasional “he’s beyoooooootiful Mommy!” from children. He’s modest, but I’m sure he loves the attention. I sure am glad I caught him on a slow day so many years ago… I really lucked out!” – Nugget’s human, Reid.

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