Portraits for a Cause!

This weekend I finished a portrait of Luna that I started a couple weeks ago. I haven't really drawn in at least 2 years, so when I took this project on I was a little afraid about how rusty I am. Drawing is just like playing a sport; if you don't practice a lot, you can lose your skill. You might always know how to play that sport, you just might never reach your prime if you stop working at it. 

I saw a pet portrait on Instagram, and thought it looked amazing and it motivated me to get back into fine art. I am pretty happy with how the portrait of Luna turned out, but I know I have a lot of room for improvement. I posted the drawing on Luna's Instagram account, and it got a lot of positive feedback. This made me think that people might actually like pet portraits. 

With that said, I've decided to sell animal portraits, and to give 10% of proceeds to an animal organization of the purchaser's choice. 

If you are interested in a portrait of your pet, email me at brittmaag@yahoo.com and attach a high resolution image of your fur baby.

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De-Fur Your Belongings

If you have a frequent shedder like I do, you probably have accepted the fact that in your home fur is an accessory just like the paint on your walls, or the picture frames full of candid photos. Fur is just part of your life, you have to accept it. I have even gone out of my way to purchase certain items because I know Luna's fur is more likely to blend in with it. Kind of like buying a tan car over a black car because the dirt and dust is less obvious on a tan colored car. 

I've accepted that I have a shedder, but I do try and clean up her fur every once in a while. Vacuuming becomes a challenge, where every 5 minutes I have to empty the contents because it is FILLED with fur. I swear I could make a whole pack of wolves with the amount of fur that comes off that dog. 

This weekend I decided to de-fur one of my blankets that Luna has now claimed as her own. It usually sits in my car to attempt to protect my back seat from dirt, mud, fur and whatever else Luna tracks in there. So you can imagine this blanket looking pretty gnarly. I shook it out first to try and get all loose fur and dirt off as much as I could.

After a quick Google search, I found a few alternatives to getting fur off of blankets or any other belonging that is furever furry. 

The first thing wiki how said to do was get your hands wet and rub your hands over the area. This weighs down the fur by getting it wet and makes it easier to grab the fur. Let me tell you, that is not happening. It is taking way too long with this blanket.

Another suggestion was to use latex gloves and use the "magnetic attraction" to get the fur off. I guess this would be like using a balloon (which Wiki actually suggested too), rubbing it on your head and attracting fur to it through static. This attempt was again taking way too long and the gloves I was using would just slip off my hands. (This was one of the better options Wiki How came up with though).

One of the last things I tried that Wiki said to use was fabric softener sheets. Dampening it then rubbing on the furry surface. Well that just made a soapy kind of mess and was really not working whatsoever (I think this was the worst option ever).

Finally, I stopped by Target to see if they had some kind of fur removal device I could use. And what do you know, in their cleaning supplies section they have a lint roller specifically for furry situations. It has a rubber little brush on one end and a huge roll of lint rolling sticky tape on the other side. What you were to do was "rake" the fur to one area and then pick it up by using the sticky tape. I found this alternative the best, easiest and fasted way to get the results I wanted. Buy this Evercare product at Walgreens for $6!

After defurring the blanket as much as I could, I threw it in the washer then dryer, and was pretty pleased with the results. (Not perfect, but as good as it's gonna get)

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October is Coming!!!

For those of you who don't know it already... there's less than 3 weeks left until OCTOBER!!! Woohoo! For me, October is the true beginning of Fall. A time where boots, sweaters, and chowder are regular daily occurrences. And that is AWESOME!

Luna's First Fall

But what is also awesome about October is... Walk N Wag! Yes that's right, I'm using this blog post to try to squeeze that cow's utter and see if any milk drops into my bucket of charity fundraising. 

I know it probably sounds desperate, and that I'm trying way way WAY too hard, but please, just join my team! I understand times are difficult and you really can't donate a penny, but you can still JOIN the team for FREE. What does this do? This makes you able to raise money yourself! 

Now you can send your link out to family and friends (probably those who like animals) and ask them to donate. They can donate in YOUR name towards our team! So even if you can't donate your own money, maybe you can fundraise, and have the money donated in your name, and your effort.

So this time I'm not asking you to donate (though you can if you'd like), I'm just asking you to take 5 min out of your day to JOIN my team (for free) and send out a mass email to family and friends to donate to the Humane Society.

It truly is a good cause. 

P.S. I know there's about 6 people who read my posts...So I am expecting to get 6 new team mates out of this...No pressure, I'm watching you... 

Here's the link: 

http://hssv.convio.net/goto/CrazyDogCrazyLady

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New Stuff!!

Did Christmas come early this year? Nope, just spoiling Luna (as per usual). 

Actually, I've been looking for a good bed for Luna for a while now. And I've been super hesitant to buy her one since she chews every thing on the planet. But I found a good deal at Home Goods, for this chopped foam pet bed. It's the perfect size, machine washable cover, and the inside stuffing is also removable/replenishable. I think it was quite a great find. 

The only other thing was hoping that Luna loved it as much as I loved the price. She's never had a "bed" before, so will she even know what to do with it? I brought it home, laid it down at one of her favorite resting spots. The first thing she does is smells it, then after she decides it smells okay, she rolls on her back and starts rolling on it, getting her scent on it. Well, that was successful. Then she basically laid on it the rest of the night.

Drew and I are making sure that she does not get to lay on it or have any contact with it, without our supervision (in case she chews it up like our comforter). So far the pet bed is intact, and in one piece—I hope I don't regret saying this later...

Also this weekend, I bought a coffee mug (dog themed, of course). It has my name written all over it. It has graphic design elements—all about typography—and dog related words on it. It's perfect. 

While at Home Goods, I found this cool little dog toy called a "ball teaser". It's a ball inside a ball, by the brand Jolly. I've purchased other Jolly dog toys, but Luna didn't seem too interested, in fact she hasn't even TOUCHED the other toy. But this one I think she would be a little more interested in. And I was right. I brought it home and she only put it down to beg for the food I was eating for dinner. 

Surprisingly, Luna did not have a "cookie jar," so when I saw one at Home Goods while browsing in the pet section (most dangerous section there for me), I thought it was perfect! So now her treats are in a cute storage, instead of in their boring food packaging. 

(Obviously not a photo of Luna)

The last thing I bought, I will have to return. It was one of the things I was most excited for, but it did not work out as well as I had liked. It was one of those hammocks for your car's back seat. It's waterproof and easily machine washable. And I figured it would be a good fur trap. My car's back seat has SO much fur on it that I refuse to drive more than one person in my car. Someone sat back there one time, and they got out of the car with a sweater on made out of Luna's fur. It was BAD. So I thought this investment would be good. But I put it on, and 1. it was way too small (even though the packaging said that it fits all cars), 2. it was flimsy and not wrapping around the seat cushions how I'd like, and 3. I think Luna was really uncomfortable in it, slipping and sliding because of the cheap material. I'll be returning it, maybe finding a similar thing but a different, better brand.

All in all, a very successful trip to Home Goods, or a dangerous one (as they always are). It seems like I spent a lot of money since I bought a lot of items, but really my total didn't pass $70! Check out Home Goods for great deals on pet home supplies (they also have other amazing human home supplies).

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Volunteering Feels Good!

This weekend was very exhausting, but in a good way. The kind of way where you get back from a really tough work out at the gym, and every muscle in your body is throbbing but you know it was worth it. Well, I don't go to gyms, so I wasn't exhausted in a successful workout kind of way. But it was still a very rewarding outcome.

Friday afternoon, I got an email from the Volunteer Coordinator from Maddie's Fund saying that she needed one extra volunteer to help out at "Dog Dynasty's Charity Dog Wash" on Saturday. I emailed her back saying I would be able to help out, and if I could bring Luna along (since she needed a bath anyways). She said of course!

So saturday, Luna and I went to go help out at the Charity Dog Wash, and try to get people to sign up to volunteer or become foster parents to animals in need. Unfortunately, we didn't have to many people interested. A lot said that they are too busy (if you remember I HATE this excuse), and that maybe when they retire. I'm sorry, do I look a retired woman? Well I hope not! I'm a 23 year old woman who puts in a couple hours here and a couple hours there to give back to my community, and to dogs in need! Volunteering does not involve you spending hours on end with animals. I really don't get how "being busy" is an excuse not to volunteer...but what ever. 

Besides dealing with lazy people—okay maybe I'm being too harsh here—Luna and I had a grand ole time. She got a bath, she played with some dogs, people thought she was "Maddie" (the dog Maddie's Fund was founded upon), people thought she was up for adoption (hell no she's not!), she got to spend time with mommy, and on and on. Luna was so well behaved, the coordinator there said Luna could probably come to more events like this since she is so mellow. This makes me happy because one of the reasons I don't volunteer as much as I can is because I like to spend time with my baby girl. I feel bad leaving her to go spend time with other dogs...I'm cheating on her. And she knows it when I come home smelling like Mocha the Pit Bull, or Heath the Chi Mix. 

As much as I "cheat" on Luna, I know what I am doing is for a good cause and that it is to get other dogs to be in the same loving environment as Luna. So hopefully she understands ;)

Sunday, Luna was not able to come with me when I went to volunteer at Stand Down. This event is amazing. When I first went to my volunteer orientation, I remember them explaining this event, and I knew right away that I wanted to get involved somehow. Stand Down is an event that is held at the Alameda County Fairgrounds every year since 1998 (a man told me today). The community comes together to provide homeless veterans a second chance (or a third, or a fourth). At Stand Down, veterans are able to get medical attention, legal help, showers, haircuts, dental help, drivers license registrations, AA meetings, etc. Anything you can think of. The reason they do this is so the veterans can leave with a better chance of getting on their feet and finding a job and being able to provide for themselves.

Well, since this event is at the Fairgrounds, there are no animals allowed. A lot of these vets have pet dogs, so most are not interested in showing up to this event if their dogs can't join too! (I mean who could blame them! Would you be able to abandon your dog for 4 days to seek personal help?) But that's where Maddie's Fund come in to help. We work with Dog Dynasty to board these vets dogs and give them baths, medical attention, food, dental care, spay and neuter, etc. These dogs are in good hands. 

Stand Down is a 4 day event, Thursday through Sunday. The animals and the owners are apart for FOUR DAYS! Can you believe that? If you were away from your companion who you are with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, would you be able to survive 4 days with out them? It definitely wouldn't be easy. Sunday, the owners and their dogs were reunited. And I was able to experience this. And it was AMAZING! I haven't seen dogs so happy to see their owners, and vice versa. There were grins ear to ear, tails wagging and tongues out all over the place! You could see that even though these dogs may not have houses to stay in, they had homes with their companions who loved them. They were not loved any less by these men and women who served our country. 

This was such a rewarding experience for me. I am still elated (6 hours after the fact) just remembering the happiness and greatness of this event. It makes me really remember why I decided to become a volunteer. THIS is why I became a volunteer.

Here are some photos I took from this event:

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We Remember

Today marks 13 years since the traumatic events that took place in New York City, Philadelphia, and Arlington County. There were so many heroes who put their life on the line to help save lives and find survivors. Some of those heroes were 4 legged and furry. That's right, dogs. 

When you think back to September 11, 2001, you can probably recall what you were doing when you found out about the first plane that flew into the World Trade Center. For us (humans), it was only 13 years ago, just a little over a decade, not that long ago in people years. But for dogs, that's a life time. Literally! Out of the hundreds of dogs that helped out at Ground Zero, only 15 are reportedly still living. 

One photographer, Charlotte Dumas, decided to capture these veteran canine heroes. 

Bretagne

Abigail

Orion

Bailey

Guinness

Merlyn

Moxie

Red

Today Luna wore her American bandana to show her support in the service working dogs who served their country with great honor 13 years ago today.

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Follow Luna on Instagram!

Yes... I am now THAT girl even more. My dog has an Instagram. I'd like to make excuses for myself like, "Oh well, I wanted to differentiate my dog followers with my people followers," or "I want to keep less of Luna on my real profile," etc... But the truth is, I'm just that crazy. Hey! At least I am not in denial ;)

So if you would like to follow Luna and get updates on cute photos, and maybe vote for her in some contests (she's won 1 contest already!) CLICK HERE!  Or just search for her name "lunavino" and follow :)

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Apologies!

Don't fret! Luna and I are alive! I know I've been really bad lately with posting our adventures and fun things. And I'm not going to use the excuse "I've been busy" because it is literally the most pathetic and lazy excuse known to man kind. So instead, I'm going to say that it's been a weird couple of weeks. Overwhelming, you could say. So again, I apologize for falling off the face of the earth!

To catch you up to speed on the last couple weeks that I've basically taken a hiatus. 

Luna and I have adventured around a couple new places that we don't normally go, or haven't been at all! I've been taking her to the dog park that Drew likes to take her to. And there, she found her new BFF. A 4 month old Siberian Husky named Obi. Such a playful couple. And Luna was very good about being submissive and playing on the ground with the much smaller Husky. I'm quite a proud mama.

We also have checked out 2 completely new places (new to us), around the Bay! The first place was in Niles, CA. A little lake area that you can "hike" around and bring your dog to the dog swim area. (I say "hike" because it was more of a paved walk... not really a hike if it's paved if you ask me). She had a lovely time, and the water seemed a lot cleaner and not as stagnet as Borris Lake in Pleasanton that we usually go to. The only downside to this experience was that Luna lost her decoy toy (it had a hole in it and she didn't grab it fast enough and it sunk. Oh well).

The second brand new place Luna and I visited was a dog park in Danville, called Hap Magee Ranch Park. Let me tell you, it was a fabulous park. It had a huge grass area that was open and not gated (so you had to keep dogs on leash there). Also had a playground and picnic benches for kids and BBQ's. And it even had a sand volleyball court! Plus the dog corrals (1 for little dogs, and another for big dogs). 

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The big dog park area was very nice. Grassy, had a lot of shade, and nice benches to sit at. The only thing I didn't necessarily enjoy was the dog owners. Not that I had a particularly BAD experience with one, but they were all kind of... how do I put it... let's just say they weren't as friendly as the owners I've met in Pleasanton and Livermore dog parks. They just seemed to not really talk to new comers, not very outgoing. Not that I am going there to be social, but it's nice when some one greets you and asks what type of dog you have and how old she is. You know, just common dog park etiquette. Well apparently, Danville dog parks you just keep to yourself. 

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Not to mention almost every dog there was a purebred, bred to perfection dog. Seriously though, there were 2 purebred Ridgebacks, still "intact" as the owner pointed out, at least 3 standard poodles there, 3 other Australian Shepherds, an Irish Setter, a Newfoundland, a Great Pyrenees, a Bull Terrier (who was a little shit), and some other dogs. There were a lot of dogs there, which was a good experience for Luna, but almost every single one was a purebred. I don't have anything against purebred dogs. I love dogs all the same. But it definitely seemed like the owners were very proud of their purebred perfect dogs that they shopped around for and paid an arm and a leg for. And if you don't know already, I'm more of an advocate of adopting dogs, not shopping for them. But to each their own, at least these dogs have good homes.

These last couple weeks, I have been volunteering a lot with my local animal shelter. It's really a great experience. It's very laid back and you can decide when you want to volunteer and for how long, which is nice to have a flexible schedule. But really, it makes me feel so happy when I am there with the other dogs that need homes. I wish I could do it more often, and save all the dogs in the world, but really, what crazy dog lady doesn't? So I do my part and try to get dogs to find their forever homes. It's definitely a bittersweet moment when you go into the shelter the next week and one of the dogs that you got attached to is gone because they finally got adopted. You're happy they found a home, but you miss their cute little face.

On Labor Day weekend, Drew and I officially were dog parents for a year! That's right, Luna has officially survived a full year in the care of two crazy people. It was a nice little moment, remembering back to when we first took her home and the first weekend being parents. It was definitely exhausting! Making sure Luna was fitting in well in her new home, and trying to figure out how to communicate with her and read her expressions and vibes. To think that a year ago, my little baby was hiccuping herself to sleep, and struggling to jump up on the couch, and fitting in my arms (barely) when I had to carry her up the stairs because she hadn't quite figured them out. So many memories just in this past year, I know I will have so many more to come. As my mom likes to point out that it was a very very expensive year for us because of Luna, I would never change it for the world. I love my little Luna-Bear. 

Our first family portrait :)

Anyways, sorry again for failing at posting our life lately. It's been overwhelming, but we are still alive and happy! Thank you so much to all of our supporters and readers out there (even if it's just 2 of you). Have a splendid day!

-Luna & Britt

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Pedigree Recall!

 

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PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food has been recalled! Possible metal fragments in the dog food bags. Thankfully, there hasn't been any reported injuries due to this recall, and hopefully there won't be any in the future. Please take a look at your pet food and make sure that you do not have this dog food. If you do, you don't necessarily have a "bad batch." There are specific bags that have been recalled.

The 55-pound bags of PEDIGREE® Adult Complete Nutrition dry dog food sold at Sam’s Club will have the lot code 432E1KKM03 printed on the bag near the UPC and will have a “Best Before” date of 8/7/15. The affected 55 pound bags were sold between 8/14 and 8/30 at Sam’s Club in the following cities: Comstock Park MI, Muskegon MI, Jackson MI, Roseville MI, Saginaw MI, Kokomo IN, Dayton OH, Holland OH, Lima OH. 

Pedigree encourages customers to call 1-800-305-5206 from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. CST if you have questions about the recall.

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Video of the Day: Canine CPR

I was a lifeguard for 5 years, so CPR, AED, and first aid comes naturally to me. Well, for humans that is. I couldn't tell you where to even find a pulse on a dog. This kind of scares me. What if, God forbid, something happens to Luna or another dog while I am out and about? I am NOT the type of person to just stand and watch. I like to take action! 

When I was a lifeguard at the city pool, I saved 4 children in one summer (they were actively drowning, not at the bottom of the pool or anything). My last summer lifeguarding, I had to backboard a child who dove too deep in the shallow end and ended up with a golf ball size lump on her head. A common accessory for pools are bees and nosebleeds, so you can bet I have mastered the technique of flinging out stingers and pinching nose canals. 

Needless to say, I know nothing about Canine first aid.

I found this video, to help guide me about canine CPR. It's very helpful and informative.

Other things to know about animal first aid:

• Seizures: keep animals away from furniture or things that can potentially hurt them. Time the seizure, DO NOT RESTRAIN THE ANIMAL. Call vet after the seizure stops.
• Fracture: Muzzle your pet, keep on flat surface for support and transfer animal to car on flat surface (board or something) or keep injured limb in a sling while bringing pet to vet.
• Bleeding (external): apply pressure for about 3 minutes to clot the blood. Wrap gauze around injury, apply Neosporin. Call vet, or go to the vet (especially if extreme bleeding)
• Bleeding internally: (bloody nose, bloody stool, coughing blood, etc) bring to vet ASAP, keep animal warm and quiet.
• Burns: apply water to burned area quickly. Call vet.
• Heatstroke: Bring to vet immediately. If unavailable, keep pet in shaded, cool area. Apply wet towel around neck and face (not blocking eyes, nose or mouth)—ring towel out and repeat with new cool water. Pour cool water on dog (not ice water), especially between hind legs and abdomen. Go to Vet ASAP!
• In Shock: keep animal restrained, warm and quiet (for people you often wrap a blanket around them). Call/go to vet

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