Happy Doggies Make Happy Humans

Hotel for Dogs--and Kids Too!

What a great time for dog movies! We've already had Bolt and Marley and Me. Now playing, is Hotel for Dogs. It's the best so far.

Anyone who cares about dogs or kids will thoroughly enjoy this delightful movie. I've posted the video trailer here for you to get a gleaming of what awaits you.

You already know I'm partial to spirited small while dogs. So you won't be surprised to hear that I love Friday, who is the dog star of this show. That said, there are zillions of dog breeds in this movie, and many with well drawn personalities. So every dog lover can find a favorite or two.

This is a family movie, and the adults can thoroughly enjoy it as much as the kids. It's got a well developed plot, with great characters. The acting is superb and so is the production. It's creative and inventive, hilarious and sad--all at the same time.

The Hotel for Dogs shows the best of of the human-dog relationship. We dog lovers already know a solid compassionate relationship with a dog can bring out the best in us. We can become better human beings, living life more to our capacity, having more compassion, and taking more action. Dogs can help us become happier, better people.

The plot turns on that admirable dog characteristic: to live in the moment, make the best of whatever is going on, and still play, have fun and spread the love around.

Two of the kids in this movie show us how amazing humans can be when they live their lives in a doggish fashion. These kids are just as admirable and loveable as the dogs.

Please be prepared to enjoy yourself. About half way through, I was wishing I had my dog Krystal with me. I can't wait for the DVD so we can watch it together. Krystal was found as a stray, and I found her on PetFinder.com, so I'm partial to strays being rescued. After the movie, I was very happy to go home and walk her. We talked dog silliness mostly.

There's so much to this movie, it may become a classic. And, and amazingly enjoyable one at that!

Have fun!

Enjoying Bolt, the Dog Movie

 

They're the latest version of the three muscateers. They're not off to save the world, they just want to get Bolt back to his human.

Bolt is a fun, action packed movie for the holidays. We saw it at the Saturday matinee.

I particularly enjoyed the first 10 minutes or so, which featured an action packed chase scene. I loved watching Bolt race around and save the day.

I had fun imaginining my little white dog Krystal doing all those things Bolt did. FYI, Krystal's nickname is "The Rocket." Most of the time she's Little Miss Baby Krystal, a sweet dog who jumps into your lap, loves to be petted by everyone she meets, distributes kisses to one and all, and whose mission in life is to spread happiness and joy.

Several times a day The Rocket makes an appearance. Nothing can contain her joy as she races around the house at full speed. Sometimes she grabs a toy, and off she goes. Her speed and course cover the whole house as she exuberantly races around, expertly leaping over obstacles and rolling around while she takes a break--only to jump up and start again.

I can only laugh out loud, and feel exuberantly priviledged to have The Rocket in my family. There's nothing like my Rocket dog to bring joy to my heart.

Bolt had that racing joy in the beginning of the move. But then, as happens in movies, he was separated from his human. The movie is about this separation, and how this suddenly stray dog Bolt finds new friends who help him travel across the country and search for his human.

This is a well done movie, with great characters and a great story--of love and loyalty (wonderful dog qualities) and adventure and second chances. It's funny, and certainly made me feel happy. All the hallmarks of a wonderful movie during these troubled times.

While there are several parts that are more than scary (I wouldn't take a younger child,) this is enjoyable entertainment you might consider during the holidays.

Finding My Neighbor's Maine Coon Cat

  

We've had a happy weekend here in Raleigh. Mathew Pufftail has returned home to happy hugs and kisses, and the warmth and safety of his adopted home. To say nothing of a steady food supply!

Mathew slipped out the door one evening while his human Sandy was pre-occupied. She didn't notice he was gone until the next morning.

In one of those wacky moments of life imitating art, Sandy called me just about an hour after I had posted my last message on different ways to find a lost dog. Of course her emotions were high, and she was a bit frantic, as I offered my ideas on ways to find Mathew Pufftail.

Sandy asked me to keep an ear out for her cat while I walked my dog Krystal. She thought I might hear the cat calling as I returned to home. Of course, I agreed. All the while I'm quietly wondering to myself about this idea, since my dog Krystal is not overly fond of cats...

For the next 8 days Sandy did all the things she could think of to find her pet. She made and distributed posters, contacted the vet, the local SPCA and other shelters, ran ads in the local newspaper, talked to the post man, seached the neighborhood and local creek, and drove around surrounding neighborhoods stopping to talk with dog walkers and jogging fitness buffs. Everyone was wonderful and supportive. She even met several other Maine Coon cat owners, who had been through similar experiences.

Her stress was multiplied by the fact that Mathew Pufftail was an indoor cat, with no microchip--so he might be found by someone but that persoon might not know how to return him to Sandy.

At church, Sandy's brother Dave ran into Maureen, a true pet person who lived in our neighborhood. He asked her to join in the seach. She came by after Sandy's cat had been missing for 8 days.

That evening, Sandy and Maureen scoured the area with flashlights in hand. At one point Maureen thought she saw Mathew Pufftail. But when both Sandy and I heard the description we thought not. Krystal and I walked Maureen back to her home, and then we continued on our walk.

As we approached our walkway, what should my wondering ears hear? Not the prancing feet of eight reindeer, but the hoarse meow of a cat asking for help!

The cat was still hiding in the bushes. I was concerned for the delicacy of the situation. He could stay and be rescued, or easily get spooked.

I scooped Krystal into my arms, and called out to the cat as I quietly walked to Sandy's front door. It felt like forever before she answered, and I'm not sure if she believed me that we had her beloved Mathew Pufftail within reach.

As he heard her voice, he became more vocal and came out from under the bushes. I saw him first, and verified to her that this indeed was her cat. She didn't recognize him right away, because 8 days in the cold and rain had its affect. But, Mathew Pufftail recognized her and began telling her about his adventure as he slowly made his way up the porch stairs to Sandy.

Sandy was super aware that she needed to let the cat come to her, and once he arrived she scooped him up and gave him a joyful hug.

Finding Your Lost Dog

Thanks to Jodi for telling me about the robo-call she recently received regarding her neighbor's lost dog.

When you're looking for your lost dog, you'll do just about anything. Luckily, there are a host of new technology tools to help us find our beloved. Here are some tools for you to use.

1)  www.FindToto.org is a web-based service that helps you find your lost dog or missing cat. It's an ingenious use of internet and direct call technology.

Service Provided:

• Using the address where your dog went missing, FindToto calls 500-5,000 of your immediate neighbors. You decide the numer of calls.
• The call is professionally delivered, using information you have provided--about your pet, and your contact information. 
• Calls can be made within minutes of receiving your order, but message delivery hours meet industry standards for robo-calls.
• Numerous testimonials are on the right side of the home page.

2) Posters. Never underestimate the power of a missing dog flyer. Pet lovers do look at the pet photo and pets are found that way.

Most posters are home made.

My microchip registry service provides the following services when a dog goes missing.

• Creates a personalized missing pet poster that can be downloaded--with a photo of the dog, dog's name and description, and human/owner contact information. You can then hoof it around your neighborhood and town, placing copies of this poster where everyone can see it.
• Faxes that same personalized missing pet poster to all veterinarians and shelters in the area that the dog went missing from.

Be sure to check with your microchip registry service to see if they provide these services. You can contact the vet that inserted the microchip if you can't remember which service yu are registered with.

3) Contact your veterinarian. They generally have a system set up to notify local vets and shelters about lost companion animals.

4) Contact your local pet stores. They often provide search services for a reasonable fee.

I hope none of you ever have to use this information, but I know many people feel better just knowing help is available should you need it.

Photo by Pheezy