A Great Christmas Present Idea

For many elderly people, their pet is their lifeline. A companion animal is just that - a companion and for many of our elderly friends and family members, their pets help stave off loneliness, reduce stress and prolong life. So that's why I wanted to pass along a unique idea for the elderly pet lover on your Christmas list.

I read today about a woman who gave her elderly grandmother a tremendous and useful gift for Christmas - she offered to take care of her veterinary bills for the coming year. Now her grandmother's dog is healthy, but still even healthy dogs need immunizations and a vet visit for small problems every now and again.

Her reason for giving her grandmother this unusual but caring gift - her grandmother had all the things she needed. So instead of getting her one more nightgown or knick knack she didn't really want or need, she gave her something that really mattered. Pets can be expensive - from food to grooming to vet care. So if you've got a pet lover on your list, a gift certificate for the pet store or his/her vet would make a great gift this holiday season.

Second Chance Shelter - DeLand

On July 25, 2009, the City of DeLand’s Second Chance animal shelter opened to high expectations.  One year later, 53 dogs were rescued and 29 were reunited with their owners thanks to Second Chance. Cats fared even better with 139 cats rescued.

Managed by the DeLand Police Department, Second Chance is designed to house abandoned or lost domestic animals in a safe and secure holding area for a three day period. The holding period allows pet owners an opportunity to reclaim their pets by contacting the police department’s Animal Control Officer.

Here are some of the great dogs looking for a "Second Chance" in DeLand. Please pass along to any of your animal-loving friends!

This male tan and white shepherd mix is still just a puppy. Who can resist those cute floppy ears?

This female is a brindle and white female pit bull. 

The volunteers at Second Chance say they've never heard this sweet black chow bark. The dog was left behind by its owners after an eviction. 

This German Shepherd is an older dog, we estimate about 5 years old or better. It's obvious this dog has had some training. 

Since Second Chance is not designed for on-site adoptions those who wish to adopt an animal schould contact one of the rescue groups listed on the City’s web site at www.deland.org 

Unusual Volunteer Effort Helps Heartworm Positive Dogs Get Adopted

It happens nearly every day. A family comes to the Halifax Humane Society to find a friend. They find a dog they like, spend time with him, and make the decision that this dog is the one for them. Then they realize the dog has been diagnosed with heart worms. They move on.

The volunteers at Halifax Humane Society knew that treating a dog for heart worms could be a little time consuming and had a cost associated with it. This kept a lot of people from adopting dogs, so dozens of dogs large and small with great pet potential were left behind because of heart worms. After careful consideration and much discussion with the staff at HHS, a group of volunteers decided to raise money to treat dogs for heart worms to give them a chance to find a home.

Since the fund was established, dozens of dogs have been treated and adopted. Currently there are a few dogs that have completed heart worm treatment but are still looking for a home.

Dogs like Nugget, below.

And Lola

And Bear

Heart worms are both preventable and treatable. If you'd like to support the heart worm fund at HHS, call Kevin at 386-274-4703 ext. 320. 

Medium Size Dog Big on Heart

Plain Brown Dog had a chance to spend some time recently with a boy who is really big on heart. Shane is a medium sized Sharpei mix. He may look like a big dog in his pictures, but in person you'll see Shane is very slight in build. PBD accompanied Shane to a recent Petsmart adoption event. It was the first time Shane had been to one of these events, and he was a little shy.

Shane is a quiet, friendly dog. He's very playful but gentle in his play. He can sit on command and comes when called. When spending time one-on-one with a volunteer, Shane is outgoing, happy and sweet. But Shane needs some help to come out of his shell around others. Shane can be timid in new situations.

Once you win his trust, Shane will have you smiling and laughing because he's such a funny and friendly dog. Once you're his friend, you'll be on the receiving end of a lot of sweet Shane kisses!

The Sasha Report

There's a special dog at HHS looking for a home. While all the dogs are special, I guess you could say this one has a special advocate. Sasha is a sweet girl who has really benefited from some extra love and support from one of the shelter's most active volunteers.

In the last few weeks with the volunteer's help, Sasha has become calmer, more engaging, and her behavior is now on par with a dog who's been in a loving home with lots of hands-on attention. She's been a regular at the Petsmart Saturday on-site adoption events which has gotten her a lot more exposure to potential families. She's now more than ready for a forever home.

Sasha is a little on the skinny side. But the staff and volunteers at HHS have been doing all they can to fatten her up a little. What would really help is having a secure, safe, stable home to spur her appetite.

Please help all of us here at PBD spread the word that sweet Sasha is ready to be a full time pet.

Hey Ladies!

This is a message for all you ladies out there.

Would you like to have a partner who listens to you no matter what you're talking about or how long you talk?

Would you like to have a partner who is always happy to see you?

Would you like to have a partner who gives you unconditional love? Who doesn't care what you weigh or whether or not you have make-up on?

How about a friend who's content to watch whatever you want to watch on TV each night and lets you have total control of the remote?

Then adopt a dog. When you adopt a dog you'll get a best friend for life.

Visit the HHS website today or stop by a shelter and make a real love connection!

Donor Steps Forward For Heartworm Help

A very generous donor has come forward to pay for the treatment of Golden Boy's heartworm. While he is in treatment, the Halifax Humane Society is looking for a kind soul who would be willing to foster this loving dog. Many dogs and cats at shelters need a foster home while they are going through treatment or are healing from injury or illness. The good thing about a foster home is that it gives the animal time to recover, but it also re-familiarizes the dog or cat with a home environment. This makes the transition to a permanent home easier for both the pet and the future pet owner.

If you'd be interested in fostering our great pal Golden Boy while he is treated for heartworms, contact the Halifax Humane Society. HHS would also be happy to talk to anyone about its foster program who might be interested in volunteering their home for a temporary time to help an animal in need.

Mark your calendar

All us Plain Brown Dogs will be at Petsmart in Daytona Beach on Saturday, April 24, checking out the people to see if there are any we might want to adopt. If you'd like to be adopted by a Plain Brown Dog, come on out to Petsmart beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday so we can meet you.

Also, check out the new redesign of the Halifax Humane Society's website.

Share your stories

Plain Brown Dog blog is looking for stories with happy endings to share with everyone. If you've adopted a shelter dog and subsequently fell in love with this new best friend, we'd love to hear about it.

To share your story, send an e-mail to me at flnativemom@gmail.com with your tale (pun intended) and a photo if at all possible and we'll post them here on our site.

Thanks for sharing!

Looking for a Labrador?

Look no further! Golden Boy is a golden lab but he's even more special because he's got a few other fantastic dog breeds mixed in. That makes him a Golden Labrador Retriever Plus!!

Seriously, all of us here at the Plain Brown Dog blog need your help to spread the word that this gentle, playful, loving dog needs a home. He's been a guest of the Halifax Humane Society for months, which is confounding because he has so much pet potential. He's gonna make someone a fantastic forever dog. But he needs our help.

Here at Plain Brown Dog, we hear a lot from people looking for a "Lab." It is a popular breed. That's why we tell Lab-seeking individuals to give the shelter dogs a try. Most of them have Lab in them somewhere. And unlike purebred Labs, the Lab mix is usually healthier while still having all the same great Lab traits. Besides, once you give a shelter dog a try, and realize what grateful, loving dogs they are, you'll never go back to purchasing a fancy breed dog again.

Spread the word PBD fans. Let's get Golden Boy a home by Easter!!! He'd look really cute in bunny ears.

Penny Finds A Home!

Guess who found a forever home - Me! This week I adopted these cute boys and their family. Meet my new best friends JJ and Brogan. Aren't they cute. I knew when I saw their faces that I would adopt them. I mean could you pass up this kind of cuteness?

JJ even lets me sleep in his room at night. And he doesn't seem to mind too much when I snore.

Turns out his family is lucky twice over. They were lucky 14 years ago when they got adopted by a former Halifax Humane Society shelter dog named Bubba. I like Bubba. He's very wise and shows me how to have good doggy manners. And this week, my new family, Barb, Josh, JJ and Brogan got lucky again because I adopted them. I think I'm really the lucky one.

I just want to say thank you to my foster family and all of you Plain Brown Dog fans out there who visited the blog, passed along my wish for a family and helped me find such a great home. Keep up the work because there's a whole lot of great Plain Brown Dogs like me out there!

Cold Nights are Perfect for Cuddling

The night time temperatures have been very cold lately. I'm lucky because I have this soft warm coat. But my foster mom gets chilly. So I came up with a solution - Plain Brown Dog blanket!

Is this what she meant when she said I was a lap dog? If you're looking for a warm snuggle, I can help with that. 

Gotta Treat?

Hey, gotta treat for this Plain Brown Dog?

Forget the Milkbone. I'd rather have a forever home!

Penny & Kids - a match made in heaven!

I wuv kids!

And kids wuv me!

Day 4

It's been 4 days since I landed at my foster home. I've become quite fond of this brown couch and my foster mom says it's OK for me to sleep here during the day. But sometimes I like to sleep under her desk when she works.

I  met a family this past weekend with two kids who were a lot of fun. I'm a fairly young dog and love to play, so kids in a family would be great for me. I'm great at fetch and tug-of-war. Enthusiastic but gentle.

Comforts of Home

Turns out the rumor was true! I have a foster family! I arrived this afternoon and boy have I had a great day. So much excitement, so much attention, I'm gonna sleep great tonight.

My foster family has a couple of dogs, which is just fine because I get along with dogs. Any dog. I'm very easy going and don't have that "alpha dog" attitude, so I'm flexible. My foster mom says I'm like a big lap dog. I don't know what that means but I think it is a good thing.

Tonight I got my own bowl of kibble and a few dog treats after my walk. I proudly showed off my "skills." Sit. Stay. Lie Down. Shake. I can do it all and I was rewarded with the most delicious little chicken treat.

Ahhh. I could get used to this!

Rumor has it!

Hey, everyone, Penny here. I've been hearing a rumor that I might get a foster home this week. That would be lovely! I've been here at the shelter (which is a very kind and friendly place I have to admit) for nearly 8 months now and I'd really appreciate a change of scenery. Especially the chance to be welcomed into a home with a family, even if it is only temporary!

Please check back in with this plain brown dog next week to see me in my foster home. In that environment, everyone will really be able to see my amazing pet potential!

And if you know anyone who may be open to welcoming a furry friend in their life, please let them know about me and my friends at the Halifax Humane Society!

Thanks everyone!

P.S. To all the HHS volunteers out there. Did you know that you can foster a dog or cat who has been waiting for a forever home for months? By fostering a dog or cat like me who has been waiting a while, you help us become more "adoptable" by training and preparing us for life at home, away from the kennel. Fostering isn't just for medically needy animals and puppies. Adult dogs and cats like us can benefit from foster homes, too! Like my good friend and amazing potential pet Golden Boy (below).

Join me at Heart for Paws this Saturday

Join me at the Heart for Paws event this Saturday! This event helps out Plain Brown Dogs like me at the Halifax Humane Society. Here are all the details.

Where: Faith Lutheran Church 2010 West Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach, FL Intersection of Timbercreek & Granada just west of I-95 386-672-2048 or go to faithlutheranormond.com Events Schedule: 11am & 1pm - Blessing of the Pets 12pm – Pet Costume Contest, Pie Eating Contest, Obstacle Course, Rescue Groups, Face Painting, Prizes, Raffles to enter, Food & Drinks, You & Your Pet Photos

$5 per family suggested donation. Bring a Pet Food donation to be entered in a special drawing.

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

This week is the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the Olympics of the pure breed dog world.

No, I'm not entered. Plain Brown Dogs like me don't get a chance to compete on this world stage, but I bet if you'd let me compete for your affection, I'd be a gold medal dog!

While all you dog-lovers out there are watching the Westminster Dog Show, don't forget about this lovable mutt who's still looking for a home. Even if for some reason you're not in a position to adopt, maybe you know someone who is. Send them my way. Show them my blog here at Plain Brown Dog and tell them to come visit me at the Halifax Humane Society!

Best Friend Accessories

Hey there friends! Just thought I'd show you how well I accessorize. A very important and advanced skill for a dog I think.

There's no greater accessory for a plain brown dog like me than a best friend and forever family! So I'd love it if you would come on down to the Halifax Humane Society and try me on for size. I go with practically everything.

Speaking of accessories, my friend Golden Boy is a great accessory for the friend looking for a great dog, sleek and beautiful with lots of pet potential. You can visit him, too at HHS. We're both great at walking on a leash (see how walking puts a big smile on Golden Boy's face!). Come on over and we'll show you!

Mardi Claws Update

I had a great time at Mardi Claws this weekend. The HHS volunteers took nearly all of the dogs from the shelter to the event. I got to walk in a parade! I've never been in a parade before. There were many adoring fans and lots of dog-friendly people to meet.

 Here I am with a new friend!

 And below is a picture of me in the parade - look at that smile on my face!

Guess who I ran into at the event? Mutzy, the dog who started it all here at the Plain Brown Dog Blog. She was with her forever family and was sporting a really lovely costume.

What a great weekend! Come down to the Halifax Humane Society and I'll show you all my fantastic dog parade moves!

Join me at Mardi Claws!

Hello, Penny the Plain Brown Dog guest blogger here. I had to let all of you know how excited I am about tomorrow's Mardi Claws event in Ponce Inlet. I got a bath today in preparation and I'll be there with some of my human friends to walk in the parade and show off my pet potential. Who knows, maybe my perfect match will find me there. Here's the scoop on Mardi Claws - come out and join us for some free, fuzzy fun!

WHAT: Ponce Inlet's third annual Mardi Claws Dog Parade.

WHEN: 1-3 p.m. Saturday.

WHERE: Links Clubhouse, Harbour Village Drive, Ponce Inlet.

WHY: To have fun and raise funds for Halifax Humane Society.

Penny's Wish List Top 10

I'm looking for a forever home and have a few things on my wish list. I thought I'd share that wish list with you so that you can see if we'd be a good match. These are in no particular order

1. A home with one adult, multiple adults, older kids, or any combination.
2. A friend.
3. Someone who will be as happy to see me when they come home as I will be to see them.
4. Someone who will feed me.
5. Someone who will give me a treat now and then.
6. A friend to walk with.
7. A friend to play with.
8. A comfortable place to sleep.
9. A home with other dogs or one in which I'm the only dog. Either way is fine.

and

10. Someone to love who will love me back.

Advice from Penny

Having a family is good for a dog. A forever family gives a dog like me a sense of security, joy, stability, and creates better health through regular grooming, feeding and caring. But did you know that having a pet like me can actually be good for your health?

Studies show that owning a pet can lower your blood pressure and stress level (Bet you didn't know I was so well educated on such things!). Believe me, it's hard to stay stressed out if you're stroking my soft fur and gazing into my grateful big, brown eyes.

Also, walking a dog like me (did I mention I'm great on the leash?) encourages exercise. We all know how good exercise is for people and dogs alike.

Another thing I'm good at is staving off loneliness. The love, companionship and snuggles I offer can really improve your quality of life. Plus, I'm a great listener - notice the big fuzzy ears?!?

Come by and see me when you get a chance at the Halifax Humane Society. Perhaps we'll be a perfect and healthy match!

Got some time this weekend?

Hi folks, Penny here. If you've got some time free this weekend, I'd be happy to take you for a walk! Really, anytime, it would be no trouble, no trouble at all. I'd even be happy to play a game of fetch, you know since it is the weekend and all and  it's time to relax.

You can also visit with my friend Golden Boy, that's his picture down below. He's a Labrador Retriever mix and loves to walk. Like me, he gets really bored hanging out in the kennel all day.

Golden Boy asked me to tell you that he may seem a little excited and energetic at first, but after about 15 minutes of walking, he's smooth as silk.

Some dogs are like that.

Good Girl!

"Good girl Penny!" I just love hearing that!  That's what most plain brown dogs like me love the most - a little attention. Sure we love mealtime, rawhide chews, a great roll in the grass, but more than anything, we love to be petted, scratched and talked to. One little "Good Girl" from a human and it makes my whole day!

Penny from Heaven!

Hi, I'm Penny! It's great to be a guest blogger here at Plain Brown Dog. I'm looking for a home and I've heard the readers of this blog just love dogs and are great at helping plain dogs like me find a family.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I'm an adult shepherd mix who just loves people! I've been hanging out at the Halifax Humane Society since October where I've become quite popular with all the volunteers. They say it's because I'm so gentle and a great dog to walk on a leash. 

Shucks! Leash walking is a piece of cake! I've mastered much more difficult tricks like "sit," "stay," and "come." 

Please help me spread the word that a brown dog named Penny, who's quite affectionate and gentle, is looking for a family - either adults or a family with older kids preferably. I'll be letting you know even more about what I'm up to this week, so check back in or better yet, come out and meet me at Halifax Humane Society!

Do you like to shop?

If you like to shop, and you love a bargain, visit the new location of the Halifax Humane Society's Thrift Shop. Open noon to 5 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, the new shop is located next to The Coffee Cup restaurant in Holly Hill at 1027 Nova Road, in the Holly Hill Station Plaza. Donations are always accepted. Monies raised support Halifax Humane Society and all our furry friends.

If you like to shop online, plans are in the works to create an e-Bay store for the HHS Thrift Store where you can shop and support HHS from the convenience of home. More details on that to come.

Free Food With Adoption!

Our friends at Pedigree have a special offer for people who adopt a shelter dog - free dog food! Pedigree Food for Dogs campaign offers a free month's supply of Pedigree dog food to those who have adopted a shelter dog through Feb. 2010. Visit the link below to get the form to mail in with proof of adoption. You can keep the free food for your new family member or donate it to a shelter of your choice.

http://www.pedigree.com/03Adoption/Adopt-A-Dog/Adopt-Free-Food/default.aspx

Thanks to Mutzy's family for passing along this delicious tidbit!