Grandbury and Winni met so many new friends as we strolled through Black Mountain today. Grandbury loves his new stroller. Contact us for ordering information, you’ll soon be able to order them through 24Paws.com! This is the large stroller cart that accommodates a dog up to 110 lbs.  At 50 lbs, Grandbury fits just fine and has plenty of head room to turn around and sit comfortably.

Our 17 year old boy deserves his seat of style. Winni takes it easy too.

We made a stop at the Black Mountain Tailgate Market. Travelin’ with your pets? Don’t be shy, grab a leash (or your carriers or strollers) and stop in. Handmade locals items range from coffee and chocolate to plants and jewelry.

There are so many great stores to visit when you trek downtown Black Mountain, North Carolina. Grandbury sampled some tasty treats at Bone-A-Fide Bakery & Pet Boutique. Nothin’ better than a little treat and rub for the pooch. Winni sat by wondering where her little nibble was.

One pooped pooch and kitty. We all certainly had a great time meeting everyone today. Black Mountain, North Carolina is a pet friendly community that awaits your visit.

Links to Chew On:

• Fido Factor Helps You Know Where You and Your Dog Are Welcome
• 24Paws Pack Goes to NC

Did you have a safe and fun Halloween? Our Halloween was filled with sweets and treats from Grandbury and Winni.

Grandbury wore his “Personalized Angel Wings” tee. The dog t-shirts from Zazzle do have quite a bit of stretch in them, but we recommend you go one size larger than you think you’ll need. We ordered an XL for Grandbury, and at 49 pounds, he fits within the 46-70 lb. window suggested for the product. Like we said, the tee does stretch, and it is by no means too tight on him, but we found it a little difficult to get off of him when it came time to extract his front legs from the “arm holes.” This is in part because he is 16 and not quite as limber as he once was, but the holes don’t really have a stretch to them either. But, as for the main belly and back portion of the tee, they have a nice stretch and didn’t put any pressure on his tumor. The shirts are 100% cotton, so watch your washing methods! The t-shirts are really soft.

We think he looks handsome.

Grandbury sports the lilac shirt.

Winni wore her own t-shirt – she went as a Pumpkin.

A very silly pumpkin as you can see from the video. No, she wasn’t blissed out on catnip, she was just ready to pounce and play the night away. She did have a hard time choosing which “Ugly Kitty Eco-Tosser” was worthy of her attention. Leave us a comment if you enjoy the video!

Grandbury felt so comfy in his new t-shirt he just dozed right off, waking every now and then to watch what new silliness Winni found herself in.

Warm body, silly kitty nearby...sleep beckons.

Links to Chew On:

• Halloween 2009 – A Potato, A Fairy, and A Pirate

Winni has something to say about “Adopt a Shelter Cat Month.” Take it away Winni…

Put your newspaper away. Recycle it. Use it to line a smaller creature’s cage. Compost it. But don’t use it to look for a cat to purchase.

The month of June is about much more than prime bird and bunny watching. Yes, those are great diversions to keep a cat busy, but June is also about drawing attention to the millions of cats who are waiting to be discovered in shelters across the country.

Even if you aren’t able to adopt a cat, why not stop by your local shelter and lend a lap to a kitty in need of some TLC? Why not drop off some much needed cat supplies like litter, toys, hammocks, nail clippers, food, and cat scratchers. Check with the shelter to see what they need.

Why, you could even dip your toe into the world of feline companionship by volunteering to foster a cat. Most shelters cover any medical expenses, and sometimes food, in exchange for you providing a loving home to help the animal prepare for their forever family.

I know, you’ve got stuff to do and vacations to plan… but somewhere in the middle of all that, could you find some time to help a shelter cat in need?

Okay, I’m stepping off my soapbox… or paper pile… and waiting to hear how you’ve helped a shelter cat.

Seriously? Why are you still here? Go...Do...Bring me back a treat.

Links to Chew On:

• Purebred Cat Breed Rescue

Birthdays are a big deal here at 24Paws. How can we not feel blessed when we look at the faces of our beloveds as they celebrate their 16th and 15th birthdays? We are so happy to see their smiling little faces as they continue to expand our lives and hearts with their love and lessons.

Our birthday brag book:

A woman  recently stopped to ask how old our dogs are. She had a hard time believing our guys were so elderly. Their glossy coats and alertness threw her for a loop. She went on to say that all of her dogs have died when they reached 10 or eleven.

She asked us, “What do you do to keep them living so long?”

Stunned, we were not sure how to respond, we’d never been asked that before.

We went on to explain that we’ve had the boys on reduced vaccination schedules, have always fed them food fortified with the healthy stuff they need, have done everything in our power to eliminate needless injuries, have provided them room to run and play, have given them a quiet place to heal and sleep when they need it, and have loved them.

Disappointed that we didn’t offer a magical salve or potion, the woman went on her way, leaving us in remembrance over how blessed we are.

We hope you celebrate the milestones your companion animals reach, and we’d love to hear about them!

Winni only had one thing to say, "It's a Dog's Life!"

Grandbury and Winni curl up together for a much needed nap.

Grandbury is an equal opportunity snuggler

Our beautiful boys, exhausted and sweet

Balloon photo credit: Ale_Paiva

Links to Chew On:

• Send an Evite for your pet’s birthday bash
• Pet Party Ideas
• Check out the 2009 Birthday celebration

Puppy Palooza informational flier courtesy of University Of Louisville Brandeis School of Law Student Animal Legal Defense Fund

Your dog is tired of winter and ready to hop in the car for a ride and some fun in the sun. If the free admission doesn’t get you out the door, what about the fenced-in area reserved for some off-leash play? Okay, maybe you need a few door prizes and giveaways thrown in?

Well, if that doesn’t get you and your pup off to a great day of fun at the park, we hope you’ll at least go to lend support to the University of Louisville Brandeis Student Animal Legal Defense Fund. These students and future lawyers are on a mission to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system.

Mark your calendar for April 11th from 1:00 – 5:00 pm to attend Puppy Palooza @ Patterson Park in Louisville, Kentucky.

In support of the event, 24Paws has happily donated some of our Ugly Kitty Eco-Tossers and Cozy to Go! cup wraps! These items can be viewed online @ 24Paws.com

Don’t forget water for your pup (and you), a leash, collar (with all the proper tags), some pooper scooper bags, and a few treats to help keep you both happy.

For more information:

Facebook members: U of L Brandeis School of Law

For more information on the  Animal Legal Defense Fund

Student Animal Legal Defense Fund

Disclaimer: 24Paws supports the efforts of organizations and individuals who work to end animal cruelty, ignorance, and abuse through education, legislation, and rescue. We support those groups and individuals whose mission and actions pass our selective criteria. Always be aware of where and how your support and donations are used.

Links to Chew On:

• Get Social with the ALDF
• Animal Bill of Rights

The boys of 24Paws - Adoption is the Only Option

As someone who has been both an adopter of an animal at a shelter, and someone who has worked behind the front lines of animal rescue and adoption, I can write volumes about the benefits of pet adoption. When you adopt an animal from a shelter, you not only give that animal a chance at love and companionship, but you allow another animal to be saved from abuse, abandonment, neglect, and ignorance. Every day that you are privileged enough to spend with him, the animal you adopt will thank you with his loyalty, love, and spirit. The spot that opens up as a result of his adoption will undoubtedly be filled with another animal who is in great need of care and love. The impact of your action to adopt one animal cascades into many other lives.

When you find room in your life and your heart to adopt an animal, you truly do a selfless act that resounds with an impact you cannot see or imagine. The thankful animal that welcomes you home and  that relishes your attention is only one manifestation of the good you’ve done. That is why their love is so powerful. The joy in your companion’s tail wag, nose rub, and meow is felt so strongly because of the connection that you’ve created among the other animals in need.

The Ad Council, The Humane Society of the United States, and Maddie’s Fund have launched the first national PSA campaign to encourage pet adoption from shelters. The Shelter Pet Project is the first national campaign that combines the efforts of some of the largest animal welfare organizations and shelters throughout the country t0 bring awareness to and encourage pet adoption.

24Paws encourages you to check out the web site, especially the creative PSA’s donated by Draftfcb Chicago, and look into the “Pet Personals” section where you answer some questions and are then shown some potential animal matches available for adoption within the Petfinder.com network of shelters. Don’t forget to send an “Adopt-a-gram” to your online friends.

We @ 24Paws want you to make adoption your first choice when searching for a companion animal. Familiarize yourself with your local shelters and rescues.  Encourage everyone you know to make pet adoption the only option. We always provide a link to Petfinder.com on the left sidebar of our site…check out who is waiting for you!

Facts to Chew On provided by The Shelter Pet Project sponsors :

• 8 million pets enter animal shelters each year, and of those animals, 3 -4 million healthy and treatable pets are euthanized
• 4 million pets are adopted each year
• It is estimated that 17 million people plan on acquiring a pet within the next year.
• In its 60 year history, this is the first non-human focused issue that the Ad Council has worked on.

Links to Chew On:

• Find Your New Companion Animal
• The Shelter Pet Project

Want to know what will be “trending” on blogs on October 15, 2009? Climate Change.

Climate change is the topic for Blog Action Day 2009. To participate, all that you need to do is write a blog post on October 15th on the topic of climate change. Head over to Blog Action Day and register your site.

Climate change affects all of us. Choosing to set aside a day to contribute to the exchange of ideas and opinions on such an important matter is a beautiful thing.

Will you be participating?

Links to Chew On:

• Blog Action Day Blog

Last “Second Saturday” of the year!

Stop by our booth during downtown Urbana’s “Second Saturday Sale” on September 12th and present the following coupon to receive 10% off your total order! We are bringing some great products to feature, including some new items that will be only available at 24Paws.com.

Print off the coupon and look for us @ the sale! We will be accepting cash and credit cards.

Sale located at: Downtown Urbana, Lincoln Square Village, Main Street, Broadway & Race Streets.

Links to Chew On:

• City Safari Listing
• Urbana Business Association

Stop by our booth during downtown Urbana’s “Second Saturday Sale” on August 8th and present the following coupon to receive 10% off your total order! We are bringing some great products to feature, including some new items that will be only available at 24Paws.com.

Print off the coupon and look for us @ the sale! We will be accepting cash and credit cards.

Sale located at: Downtown Urbana, Lincoln Square Village, Main Street, Broadway & Race Streets.

Links to Chew On:

• City Safari Listing
• Urbana Business Association

Happy Birthday, Grandbury & Tristan!

We recently celebrated Granbury’s 15th birthday and Tristan’s 14th! These amazing milestones are well worth celebrating and making a fuss over. We made these birthday “pup cakes” for our guys and they devoured them in no time.

The years have flown by, and having the opportunity to celebrate their extended years fills us with a bittersweet joy.

15 never looked better! Age is just a number!

Geriatric? That better be a cute nickname. I'm 14, not ancient!

How do you celebrate birthdays for companion animals?

Links to Chew On:

• Recipes 4 Your Pooch Party
• Cooking the Three Dog Bakery Way