(www.meowbarkblog.com)

Release of special edition Shepard Fairey ADOPT print will mark historic significance of the presidential dog adoption and help continue to raise awareness for pet adoption nationwide

LOS ANGELES – APRIL 10, 2009 – Adopt-a-Pet.com, North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, and Artist Shepard Fairey have hope and faith in the Obamas’ commitment to adopting a dog — so much so, that they have already created a special-edition ADOPT print to be released immediately after the adoption becomes official.

The only thing needed for Fairey to finalize the image is the presidential pooch adoption date, which will go on the dog’s tag, making the print a distinctive piece of pet adoption history.

“The day the Obamas adopt their new family member will no doubt be a historic moment for shelter animals everywhere,” said Adopt-a-Pet.com Spokesperson Dr. Pia Salk, who initiated the collaboration with Fairey. “It is monumental that the leader of our country will be setting an example by saving the life of a dog in need. This will send a strong message to today’s youth about the power that lies in our choices and the importance of giving back to those less fortunate. Their adoption will be a symbol of hope for not only shelter animals but for the country overall.”

In the same way the original Fairey ADOPT image was based on the red, white and blue Hope poster, this new edition is modeled after the Obama inauguration ‘history’ sticker that was released in regal shades of black and gold. The print will enable animal lovers to show their support and give back to the plight of shelter animals.

“Animal lovers of all political affiliations can join together and celebrate the historic date that the Obamas bring home the first adopted dog ever to inhabit the White House,” said Adopt-a-Pet.com Executive Director Abbie Moore. “This is truly a non-partisan issue, and we hope to see all Americans follow the Obamas’ wonderful example. The importance of this action simply cannot be overstated.”

For information on the print and to search for adoptable pets, go to http://www.adoptapet.com.

About Adopt-a-Pet.com

Adopt-a-Pet.com (formerly 1-800-Save-A-Pet.com) is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, helping over 7,000 animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to adopters for free. Adopt-a-Pet.com displays photos and descriptions of adoptable pets to over 1.5 million people seeking to adopt a pet each month, and is funded by the passionate pet lovers at Purina and North Shore Animal League America. Aside from being able to adopt a dog or adopt a cat, Adopt-a-Pet.com visitors may now also adopt a rabbit, horse, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, farm-type animals and other small pets.

(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)

Birds-Animals-Nature photo

Contents Copyright © 2009 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