Category Archives: contest

In a dog eats cats world 

 

A headline reads: a celebrity sums up politician in epic three words on twitter, or somebody says something outrageous, ugly or otherwise.

you click on the headline because you have just got to hear, watch, read what they said. and you need a laugh and it is guaranteed to be uproariously funny, right. but when you watch the video or read the tweet, it is dumb. you’ve just been had again and again by headlines designed to get you to click on them.

and sometimes it is bait and switch. the headline says one thing and then you click and it discusses, explains, opines about something else.

we know that too many politicians and others rely upon lies aka 1984’s war is peace, freedom is slavery, etc. and Goebbel’s propaganda strategy (that worked) that you keep on telling the lie over and over ad infinitum ad nauseum and eventually people will believe the lie no matter all of the facts, debunking of the myths, and countering intelligence that others do.

lies and fear mongering have worked for many years. It usually always is about politics and votes. Like the great bathroom debacle in North Carolina.

North Carolina’s transgender bathroom battle: what sparked it, and what’s next http://gu.com/p/4j7gg/stw

Transgender Dog Unsure Which Tree To Pee On

 

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https://www.ncscooper.com/transgender-dog-unsure-which-tree-to-pee-on/

and some people continue to tell BIG LIES knowing that they are false in order to sell products, services, ideologies and candidates.

truth vs lies.

facts vs myths, stereotypes and propaganda

BIAS against pit bull type dogs based on myths

http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/is-it-time-do-away-breed-names-shelters

http://barkpost.com/shelter-removes-breed-labels-study/

pitbull-logo-watermark

 

There are myths and stereotypes told about everyone. And especially those who are not white and male and rich are punished for not being white, male, pretending to be Christian while not following Jesus’ edicts and rich. And there are myths and stereotypes told about various dog breeds, Muslims, Mexicans, gay people, transgender people, Jewish people, women, African Americans, homeless people, poor people, and the list goes on.

Did you know that being aka existing without a home in the US is a crime? That is, if you are eating, sleeping, sitting, lying down in public, camping, parking overnight, you can be arrested, and have all of your meager belongings taken away from you, next thing will be breathing in public…. aka taking up space on the planet, our tax dollars at work.

Many people think that people without homes are lazy bums who refuse to work or want to be homeless, are drug addicts, alcoholics, or mentally ill. And being homeless aka a criminal for being alive, will never happen to me!

Except that it does and has happened and the homeless population is primarily made up of formerly middle class people including single moms with children, women leaving domestic violence and/or abusive situations, seniors, half who cannot afford housing and more than half in CA, veterans, working poor, people who have lost their homes due to foreclosure, illness and other reasons. Traumatized people who have been banned and evicted from society. Your former neighbors trying to survive without sleep, no bed, unable to go to the bathroom, take a shower, or even to sit down or lie down or JUST BE ALIVE.

 

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“Since the year 2000, more than 80 percent of metropolitan areas saw their household incomes decline, pointing to a shrinking middle class that’s fueling economic insecurity.”

http://www.salon.com/2016/05/14/the_middle_class_is_dying_partner/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-homeless-doj-20150907-story.html

But people can discern the Truth in their heart of hearts. Some people want to believe the lies for their own personal reasons, agendas, and motives. If you are a builder, developer, or landlord who wants to make maximum amounts of money, you can tell yourself that seniors, poor people,disabled people, single moms with children, and others can find some place else to live. Except they cannot and you know it.

And if you are a church or a nonprofit agency who is supposed to be helping house or feed or find jobs or whatever for other people and all you are really doing is you are making a very good salary, work in a luxury building, and/or spending the donation and grant money you garner on everything but what your stated mission is, that your charity spends a very small percentage, if any, on their stated goals, then you know in your heart that you are cheating, stealing and NOT DOING YOUR JOB. Why does a nonprofit in Monterey, for instance, need hundreds of thousands of dollars, feeding homeless women, when ALL of the food is donated and their staff is all volunteers? Where is that money going? Hint, it is NOT being spent on Housing women without homes. Not even for a single night.

Why are millions of dollars raised every day/week/month/year to HOUSE PETS but so little raised to HOUSE HUMAN BEINGS  ???? What if there were charities who housed BOTH HUMANS AND THEIR PETS AND/OR HOUSED HUMANS SO THAT THEY COULD FOSTER OR ADOPT A PET???

Think of all of the humans languishing and dying on the streets, in cars and all of the pit bull type dogs being euthanized and / or dying in shelters.

There are some folks coming up with creative solutions to house people and pets.  How about you???  What are you doing to house people and pets???  What can you do? What are you able / willing to do?

What people do not realize is that when people without homes have pets or even if they do not have pets, that pets ARE affected, too.

Thanks !!!

A fun contest from the good folks at Advances Shelter systems, Inc., creator of SHIFT PODS that serve as temporary and / or emergency housing for all kinds of folks around the world, for festivals, events and camping options for those who like to travel and the great outdoors.

Stark white and ready for some street art! Good with a spray can? Send shift pods your art! If they like it they may send you a SHIFTPOD to paint for their charity auction for Ecuador. These ARTPODS will be auctioned off to raise money to help people who lost everything in the huge earthquake. #‎emergencyresponse #‎shiftpod #‎shelterpod #‎artpod #‎burningman #‎festival #‎ecuador #‎earthquake

 

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VALENTINE’S DAY has gone to the dogs

Valentine’s Day has gone to the dogs…literally!

 

From coast to coast, which state loves dogs the most?

 

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A special Valentine’s Day survey of U.S. dog parents showed the following:

 

INFOGRAPHIC: https://www.bigheartpetvalentines.com/doggy-love-index.html

 

Post a perfect Valentine’s Day with your pet, or comment on the findings of the infographic and you might just win some doggie treats for your pooch. yummy treats !

by the way, Cici loves these treats, she cannot get enough !!!

****

 

How do your dogs help enhance your daily life?

How do your dogs help you become better people?

This year, let’s celebrate our wonderful animal companions by making February 13th Valentine’s Day For Dogs (#valentinesfordogs).

On this day, we make sure we’re also giving our pups the attention they deserve. How? I might take Cici out for a special walk, buy her a fluffy and comfy pet bed, or give her Milo’s Kitchen dog treats.

How will YOU connect with your dog this Valentine’s Day for Dogs?

The good folks at Milk-Bone, Pup-Peroni, Milo’s Kitchen, and Canine Carry Outs have made it easy for you this year with a doggie Valentine’s Day card. Get yours today at https://www.bigheartpetvalentines.com/

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Filed under contest, dog treats, dogs, four paws up, gifts for your dog, K9 approved, product review, Uncategorized, Valentine's Day

Happy 8th birthday Cici

My goodness time has flown by. I’ve never had a pet for this long. And it has been amazing. Cici is such a good girl.

A very cute message from Dogbook for Cici today…

 

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Am also very thankful to Gillian for giving Cici this wonderful gift for her birthday this year. (More about Gillian below the portrait of Cici she painted).  What do you think ???

 

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If YOU would like to WIN a FREE/complimentary portrait of YOUR pet from Gillian, we are having a CONTEST… This rafflecopter will go live after Tuesday, August 5, all you have to do is click the link and enter the contest !!!

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ce2345c73/

 

My interview with Gillian:

 

 

how long does it usually/generally take you to do a pet portrait?

A portrait takes about a week but turn around is about 3 weeks usually due to other business.  I can do a rush if necessary.

your favorite dog?  do you still have the bullldog or have any other cats or dogs of your own?  if so, names, ages

My favorite dog is HENRY!!!  He is still around and the best ever!  I had a cat Zebedee who is sadly no longer with us.  Henry is 7 now and super healthy and happy.  Henry and Zebedee were not friends!   Henry used to chase her but she was much faster and could gain the higher ground.

what do you like about painting pets?

I absolutely love animals and how they change our world.  I really think they are the best and they make us so happy!  Painting them is always a challenge because you want to capture their essence and their personality.  Anyway – I always start off thinking it is impossible – so when I am able to get it it’s exciting.  Also I get SUCH positive feedback from the owners that it is very rewarding.  People often get very emotional when they see their pet in a painting.

how do you access the personality of the pet in order to paint it?

A lot of time it is the eyes that are the most important aspect.  They do say eyes are the window to the soul and I have found this to be very true.  One thing I’ve learned is that a really good photograph is important to my result.  I also ask for additional photos to get a sense of the pet’s personality.

is it easier to paint cats or dogs or same difference?

 I think cats are often a little trickier to photograph.  They can be more elusive.

do you prefer cats or dogs as pets? (there are benefits for each, I love both)

I too love both!  I have never had a dog before Henry – and I am completely smitten with him.  I have had cats my whole life and they are wonderful.  But as you say – there are benefits to both and personally I think no home is complete without pets.  Dogs hang on your every move whereas cats tend to be more independent.  I love them all though!!!

what do you like most about cats? dogs?

Cats are so beautiful and graceful.  I love just to watch them.  And you always feel favored when they give you their attention!  My cat Zebedee used to sleep on my head.  It was slightly annoying but funny too.  Dogs are awesome!  I love their different personalities and how they find out how to communicate their desires with you.  My dog Henry hates it when my husband and I are in different rooms so he always tries to herd us into the same room!  It’s really funny.

any funny or heartwarming stories about painting dogs or cats?

Well probably the funniest was trying to paint Henry.  I hadn’t painted an animal before but I always paint from life.  He often sits in the same position but dogs aren’t really models!  You can’t get them to sit still for several hours!  I eventually realized I needed a photograph to achieve success.

what is the most unusual portraIts you have done of pets and painted any famous dogs or cats?

As to unusual or celebrity she has painted Stephen King’s (the writer) girlfriend’s hairless cats.

what is the type of paint you use?

work with oils.

do people usually have their pets painted before or after they’ve passed on or both?

I have mostly done pets that are still around but a few in memoriam.  People sometimes give them as gifts when a pet is getting older.  I actually did a painting for my father who has two Siamese who would always sleep hugging each other.  Sadly the older one passed away recently but I know he treasures the painting and the memories of always seeing them in the same chair hugging each other.

anything else?

I guess I just feel lucky to be doing this.  Pets enhance our lives in so many ways and really when you can have a relationship with an animal it is something so special.  I’m glad to be able to add to a pet owners pleasure in that experience.

 

 

About Gillian

Gillian Wainwright was born in London and lived in Italy and Belgium before moving to the United States.  She became interested in painting in her teen-age years and went on to go to undergraduate school at the California College of Arts and Crafts.  Later Gillian got her Masters degree in painting at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, and since then has exhibited in numerous shows in New York City. Having had cats all her life Gillian got  her first dog, Henry, a French Bulldog with adorable green eyes (very rare),with her husband David.  As a Christmas present to David she painted a portrait of Henry for him, which he treasures. The portrait holds a prominent place in their living room. This became the very first NYC PetPortrait!  Since then, Gillian has created many more pet portraits to the delight of pet owners around the world. Gillian has a unique ability to capture the most beautiful moments for pet owners everywhere. To view a few other examples of Gillian’s paintings go to www.nycpetportraits.com.

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Doggies wanted 4 Free Treats

UPDATE: We have a winner… Cici picked Susan Christy and her dogs Foxy and Lucy. Thank you ALL for participating in the contest.

YUMMY!

Your dog is invited to try free samples of Milo’s Kitchen® treats so you can figure out which varieties will have your four-legged friend begging for more.

AND one lucky winner will receive a gift pack. The gift pack will include three varieties of Milo’s Kitchen® dog treats, and a $25 VISA gift card . All you have to do is write a comment (below) telling us how much your pooch LOVES treats and what is their favorite taste sensation (peanut butter, chicken, beef, turkey, lamb etc).

·         There’s no such thing as too many pictures of dogs. Receive family portrait photos straight from the Milo’s Kitchen photo booth or take your own selfies. Don’t forget to show off your dog’s look on Facebook, or via Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #MKTreatTruck.

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Milo’s Kitchen Treat Truck:

·         The Milo’s Kitchen Treat Truck will be coming to your area so plan a special date with your dog :

o   July 3rd – Los Angeles, CA, Airport Dog Park

o   July 5th – Los Angeles, CA, Redondo Beach Dog Park

o   July 6th – Los Angeles, CA, Huntington Beach Dog Park

o   July 10th – San Diego, CA, Balboa Dog Park

o   July 11th– San Diego, CA, Ocean Beach Dog Park

o   July 12th – San Diego, CA, 6th Annual Doggie Street Festival, Liberty Station / NTC Park

*Dog parks are subject to change due to weather and foot traffic

Milo’s Kitchen® Treats:

·         are made in the U.S.A. with real chicken or beef as the #1 ingredient, and no artificial flavors and colors.

·         Milo’s Kitchen® Home-style Dog Treats believes dogs deserve treats made with the same quality of ingredients and care that you want for your food.

·         Each recipe is carefully prepared to bring out all the flavors your dog loves. Milo’s Kitchen makes a unique line of mouthwatering varieties for your dog including: Chicken Meatballs, Beef Sausage Slices with Rice, Steak Grillers Recipe, Chicken Grillers Recipe, Grilled Burger Bites, and Chicken Jerky Recipe.

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For more info:

 

·         Milo’s Kitchen website: http://bit.ly/1wW01FG

·         Milo’s Kitchen Treat Truck: http://bit.ly/1jN7Of0

·         Milo’s Kitchen Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1nIvxoF

The Milo’s Kitchen® dog treats, gift cards, and information have been provided by Milo’s Kitchen®.

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Filed under Adventure, all you need is a dog, big dogs welcome, California, contest, dog friendly, dog parks, dog travel, dog treats, dogs, free giveaway, gifts for your dog, keep pets safe, Made in USA, pet travel, Uncategorized

Win a FREE Bag

You love your dog and your dog loves you. Fido shows you their affection with doggie kisses. You get a whiff of your dog’s breath and whew, stinky, smelly BAD doggie breath bowls you over. We’ve all had that experience, right.

Well, our friends at Pet Naturals of Vermont have a wonderful all natural solution. Breath Bars. And you and your pooch can enjoy a FREE BAG. Your dog will think it is a treat and will scarf it up like candy. At least Cici did. She loved them. The taste is made for canines and the ingredients are really good for them.

Pumice, is a natural abrasive that reduces plaque and bacteria in your dog’s mouth. Polishes the teeth naturally.

Parsley, a leafy herb known for its fresh, strong flavor, offers a deodorizing effect plus it has lots of chlorophyll which has antibacterial properties

Spirulina, blue-green algae which is also rich in chlorophyll

Champex, a brand of Champagnon mushroom which suppresses odor causing chemicals in the intestines

Directions for Use: Give 1 chewable bar daily.
Give 2 chewable bars daily for dogs over 50 lbs.
For best results use daily and give between meals.

Product Facts:
Active Ingredients Per Bar:
Spirulina                                                     100 mg      
  yielding Chlorophyll                                          2 mg
Parsley                                                        70 mg
Champignon Mushroom Extract (Champex™ brand)                   30 mg
Yucca Schidigera Extract                                       10 mg
Cinnamon Powder                                                10 mg <fontface=arial>
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In order to get your FREE BAG of Breath Bars, all you have to do is go to this link. The first 100 will get a FREE bag and valuable coupon.

http://petnaturals.com/breathbars.offer/

Do so before THIS FRIDAY April 4, 2014 and you will make Fido happy plus you will not have to smell that doggie bad breath much longer.

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Winners of Contest

funny/strange Halloween night… we had a few trick/treaters, last year we had none, the last group was of two ladies, their two little doggies and a kid. Cici welcomed everyone with kisses and wagging tail.

The winners are of Halloween pet photo contest are: (announced on Facebook but will do it here too)…  Congratulations and thank you ALL for participating !!!

please email me your address, thank you…

1.  Bonnie and Beth Abelew
Dogs Names: Phoenix and Gryphon

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2. Karma (In her hand made Black Widow Costume!)

Rat Terrier

7 years old

Mallory Huff

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3. angel and devil dog

Odie, 8 years old, Chihuahua

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Filed under canine cuteness, contest, dogs, four paws up, halloween for dogs

Halloween Dog photos

here they are the 13 contestants for our halloween pet photo contest… winners (3) will be announced later today… which ones would you choose??? cast your vote in the comments please, thanks.  and thank you to all who submitted their photos !!!   HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!! 

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Creative, handmade, innovative, unique and S P O O K Y T A C U L A R !!!!

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Filed under animals, contest, dogs, four paws up, halloween for dogs, pet care

Howling Pet Obsessions

People are dressing up their pets for Halloween next week and it is getting crazy out there… and here…

You have just a few more days to send me your pet photos for our Howloween contest… You might just win a cool scary prize BOO…

Now, here is the skinny on how much pet parents are spending on Halloween costumes for their pets. It could make you HOWL…

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http://millionairecorner.com/Content_Blog/Heather-Couture-Corner-Halloween-Costumes-You-and-Your-Pet.aspx

“Trends for 2013 show that the most popular pet costumes are the following: a pumpkin, a hot dog as a close second, cat, and devil.

“….According to a National Retail Federation Spending Survey, Halloween is second only to Christmas in spending and since 2005 spending on Halloween has increased 54.7 percent with total spending estimated to reach $6.9 billion in 2013.

“A good portion of the spending for Halloween comes in buying human costumes, but of the people surveyed, an additional 13.8 percent of pet parents plan on dressing up their four-legged companions as well.

“An estimated $330 million will be spent on finding just the right costume for Fido or Fluffy. This number has jumped an astonishing 65% since 2010.

“…Pet parents could once count on their favorite retailer only carrying a few selections of pet Halloween costumes, but today, there are literally hundreds of choices. This is especially true when you add online retailers into the equation”.

http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/americans-spend-330-million-halloween-pet-costumes-235900559.html

15 signs that you are obsessed with your dog

of course…

10. You take your dog on vacation with you.

(and I would add and you write a whole blog about it, ha ha ha)…

http://www.buzzfeed.com/cvlee12/15-signs-that-you-are-obsessed-with-your-dog-fs6g

 


Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with DogsTwo Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop  link 

 

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Filed under adoption, Adventure, all you need is a dog, animals, blogging, canine cuteness, cats, contest, dog crazy, dog friendly, dog travel, dog wear, dogs, halloween for dogs, laughter is the best medicine, pet blog hop, puppy love, spoil your dog rotten, travel with dog, women with dogs

The Furriest Halloween Contest

We’re so excited to announce the 1st annual Halloween Costume Photo Contest!   We’d love for you and your pets to join us!

The rules are simple. Check it out:

  1. Take a photo of your pet all decked out in its Halloween best and email it to me at prmatchmaker at yahoo.com from October 3rd to the day before Halloween, October 30. Use the words “Contest Photo” in your email subject line.
  2. Include your pet’s name, age, breed, and your first and last name.
  3. We’ll add your pet’s photo to the official Costume Photo Album on our NEW Facebook page, Cici the Polka Dot Princess.

It’s your chance to show off your pet in her Halloween best!  We’ve got great prizes for the 3 pets that win!

Prizes include your very own copy of The Sound and the Furry by Spencer Quinn. And to honor the book, please dress your pooch up as an ALLIGATOR…can be a homemade costume, store bought or whatever, use your imagination !  Creativity will be rewarded.

alligator_dog

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Spring Naturals dog food and other treats will also be given to the winners.

http://celiasue.com/2013/09/20/senior-pets-rock/

Halloween Safety Tips For Pets

Pet costumes are cute. And Halloween can be spooky for dogs. Be sure that your dog is safe in the neighborhood when you head out with her on Halloween. Pets do not always enjoy the sights and sounds of Halloween. Here are a few precautions to take to keep them safe:

1. Make sure your pet is wearing a collar with an ID tag with your current contact information and that the microchip has up to date info, too.

2. Keep your pet on a leash. There may or may not be a lot of kids or teens where you live outside going trick or treating door to door. But be safe and control your pet with a leash. You never know when your dog might see a cat or decide s/he wants to chase or run off and scavenge or explore.

3. Make special Halloween treats for your pets. Give your dog a new bone, some doggie biscuits, dog jerky or dog cookies. But do not give candy to dogs or cats. Chocolate, nuts, raisins and candy with ingredients like xilothil and other “sugar-free” chemicals can be life threatening and even fatal for dogs.  

4. When you are at home entertaining trick or treaters or having your own party, keep your pets in a safe place behind a closed door or gate. Otherwise, your pets might quickly get outside without a leash and get spooked, stolen or get into trouble.

5. Pets should stay indoors on Halloween night, especially black cats and even dogs that are outside. There is a high incidence of pets being stolen during the month of October, and you do not want your pets to become a statistic.

6. Have your own Halloween party for your pets and invite the neighborhood pawpals. Give out baskets of pet treats, play games and give our prizes for the best costumes !

BOO ! Share your plans for Halloween, the spookiest night of the year in the comments below and on our Facebook page, and be sure to send us your pet’s photo.

 

 


Blog Hop time…thanks to Life with DogsTwo Little Cavaliers and Confessions of the Plume…  grab the blog hop  link 

 

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Filed under all you need is a dog, animal stars, animals, canine cuteness, cats, contest, dog friendly, dog treats, dogs, family friendly, four paws up, free dog food contest, halloween for dogs, holiday tips, K9 approved, keep pets safe, pet care, pet food, Petco, PetSmart, Uncategorized

Winners of the Giveaway

Congratulations and Happy Fourth of July !!!!

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Cici and i have randomly chosen the winners of the Frosty Paws Giveaway…

The FOUR winners are:

Theresa

Kelli

Amy

Julia

Thank you ALL for participating !!!!

CeliaSue and Cici

YAAAAAY! Beau and Smead are soooo excited.

And I couldn’t not send a Pic of my Friend Clarissa’s dog Ivan. He’s a polkadot prince. He’ll be enjoying some of the frosty paws I’ll buy with the coupon.
 
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Have a great holiday, and thank you so much for the swag bag. They will love.
 
Kelli
 
 
Yay!! My pups will enjoy their new bag and of course the frosty paws, they LOVE them. It is one of the few non-homemade treats I give to them because they like them so much.
 
Amy
 

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Filed under contest, dog treats, dogs, free giveaway, pet travel, Uncategorized