(www.meowbarkblog.com) — It’s been a rough couple of weeks with the animals lately simply because we’re both very tired and busy right now. As the one who works exclusively from home, I’ve had the pleasure of bearing the brunt of the animal frustration these days.  

To get through it without selling anyone to the circus, I’ve managed to find humor in situations that would other wise probably make me cry in my current cranky condition.

You Know the Dogs Have Taken Over When…

… you find yourself vacuuming the comforter because you’re so sick of schlepping to the laundromat since it won’t fit in your own washer — and you wonder why you didn’t think of this sooner.

… instead of getting annoyed that the dogs knocked over the trash can when you went out to get the mail, you’re just relieved they didn’t eat the remote control you forgot to put on top of the piano for safekeeping.

… it begins to seem normal to squeeze yourself into 4 square inches of couch space because you can’t get a sleeping mastiff to move to the floor.

… the moment you see a dog on TV, you immediately lunge for the mute button while saying loudly “It’s TV, it’s TV” to reassure your animals that their inevitable frantic barking at the television dog’s first sound is completely unnecessary.

… you’ve stopped fighting against letting them in through the back door even though there’s a perfectly good dog door if they would just walk the extra 50 feet to get to it.

How can you tell the dogs have taken over at your house?

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

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(www.meowbarkblog.com) — I received the message below from friend and colleague Beth J. Bates, who’s raising money to help families keep their pets in their homes. (Read more about how the recession is affecting pets in my post about 46 homeless cats and animal food banks.)

It’s that time of year again! Time to have some fun and help homeless dogs! GoodDogz.org is hosting the 2009 “Tails on Trails” dog walk as part of the Reston Pet Fiesta on May 2, 2009. This dog walk is our primary fundraiser of the year and this year we need your help more than ever. With pet surrenders at an all-time high and giving at an all-time low, GoodDogz.org is doing what we can to help bridge the gap by working with families to help keep dogs in homes and finding placement when it’s just not possible.

Our fundraising goal for this year is $10,000. This money will help us:

- Develop new resources for dog adopters
- Support the efforts of rescue groups through online resources and individual assistance
- Create online educational programs for kids
- Continue to help rescues find homes for dogs in need

Every donation, no matter how small, helps us do what we do.

Please help me reach my goal by making a secure donation at https://www.firstgiving.com/bethbates.

My personal goal is $1,500 – pretty aggressive but I think I can do it with your help! Here are all the ways you can support us:

- Make a donation to my campaign at https://www.firstgiving.com/bethbates
- Set-up your own pledge page and start collecting donations from folks who want to help at http://www.firstgiving.com/GoodDogz
- Participate in the dog walk – http://tinyurl.com/dzct2x
- Be a dog walk sponsor – http://www.petfiesta.org/dogwalk.html

Here is the event information:
Reston Pet Fiesta “Tails on Trails” Dog Walk
May 2nd, 2009 | 10AM
Reston Town Center, Reston, VA
Click here to register for the dog walk!
Click here to get a page and start collecting pledges!

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — I’m either a glutton for punishment or just slow on the uptake, because I thought I could run out to the post office for a few minutes the other day without worrying about the dogs making some kind of mess. We don’t let them loose in the house when we leave anymore because they’re so darn creative and brilliant at getting to things the shouldn’t have, and I figured there was nothing that would appeal to them in the mudroom or garage in the 15 minutes I was gone.

I was wrong.

I managed to pick up most of the dog food before I thought to take a picture, and about half of the paper towels were somewhat salvageable, however slobbery. None of them can go on a paper towel holder, though because the dogs ripped through so many layers that the individual sheets are no longer connected in most cases.

Sigh. When will I ever learn?

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — This story is so unbelievably sweet it made my teeth ache and my eyes fill with tears. Evidently four puppies were orphaned in Amman when their mother was killed in an accident. Momma cat Smaigel, owned by Mohammad Al-Hamoury, has adopted the puppies as her own. The pictures are amazing.

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — You know we’re getting a trampoline after watching these hilarious animals!

And one more with embedding disabled: Cat vs. Dog on Trampoline

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — My English mastiff Murphy and this dog must have been separated at birth, because they both are total water babies.

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — My dear friend Alicia over at Celebrity Psychings penned a great article about PETA’s recent demands to the NFL regarding dog-fighting Atlanta Falcon Michael Vick.

In addition to a petition the organization is urging us all to sign, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) recently faxed a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell urging him to require fallen NFL star Michael Vick to undergo psychiatric evaluations and brain scans to determine whether or not Vick has antisocial personality disorder and/or irregularly sized brain parts and, based on the results, for Goodell himself to determine whether or not Vick fits the role model persona NFL players should.

Read More >>>

What do you think? Should Vick be prohibited from playing football again after being sentenced on dogfighting charges in late 2007?

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — President Elect Barack Obama’s daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, are probably more excited about the upcoming addition to their family than their new digs after Dad’s January 20 inauguration next week. Obama promised his girls a dog to keep them company in the White House, and the family is reportedly deciding between the designer Labradoodle and the long-famed Portuguese water dog.

My pick? The Labradoodle.

I’m not generally one for designer dogs, but the Labradoodle just warms the cockles of my heart. Maybe because the apricot color of this breed reminds me of Barkley from classic Sesame Street. Labradoodles are a cross between labrador retrievers and poodles. While their physical characteristics may vary with any combination of traits, they are consistently smart, energetic, friendly, and loyal. In short, Labradoodles are great family dogs, and for two girls the ages of Malia and Sasha, the Labradoodle strikes me as a perfect match.

A poodle or poodle mix is also a great choice because 10-year-old Malia has allergies, and poodles are a non-shedding breed.

What dog would you pick for the Obamas?

(image; used under Creative Commons license)

Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — If there’s one thing Ty loves, it’s stuffed animals. And he’s going to get them, no matter what it takes! See what I mean?

We call him Mr. Barky Buns Big Head. I’m sure you can figure out why.

Contents Copyright © 2008 Kristen King

(www.meowbarkblog.com) — Marijke from Help My Hurt pointed me toward this touching video of two doggies greeting their owner as he returns from a 14-month deployment to Iraq. I made it about 15 seconds in without crying. It is so sweet.

Contents © Copyright 2008 Kristen King
Tags: dogs greeting soldier, video, dog, pet, military, deploy, iraq, remember, greet, meowbarkblog, pet blog, kristen king