Ever think to yourself, "Why doesn't this dog come with an Owner's Guide?" Usually this thought occurs around the same time you arrive home to find the couch in tatters.....

Well, the Shar Pei does!

Thanks to and courtesy of the Chinese Shar Pei Club of America, you can download a 16 page guide to being owned by a Shar Pei.
The link is http://www.cspca.com/OwnerGuide.pdf
And now for a gratuitous puppy pic....AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

This has been a bummer of a year for adoptions. I'm not sure why but adoptions have been way down compared to last year. To those of you who have adopted a homeless animal this year, an enormous THANKS! If you are considering adopting a homeless animal, let me give you a few more reasons to do so:

(courtesy No Voice Unheard)
1) Be a hero. Adoption saves an animal whose life literally depends on getting a new home.

2) Adopting a homeless animal is a generous act of compassion, and an expression of the inherent value of animals.

3) You will be assured that you are not contributing to the homeless animal tragedy by encouraging the breeding of even more animals into an already-overpopulated world.

4) There's a large selection of animals to choose from (and not just dogs and cats!)

5) Looking for a purebred? If the animal you want is not at your local shelter, there is a rescue group for virtually every type of purebred dog and cat.

6) Adoption counselors have great expertise about animals, know the specific animals in the shelter, and can help you make the perfect match.

7) Many shelter animals are already housebroken and trained, and have some understanding of what living with a family is like and how to fit in. They have a "head-start" on animals from pet stores or breeders.

8) Most shelters screen their animals for good health and temperament.

9) Save money. Adopting from a shelter is usually less expensive than buying from a store or a breeder. Shelter adoption packages build in the cost of spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchip identification into their adoption fees.

10) It's the right and ethical thing to do! You will be helping, one animal at a time, to bring an end to this nation's tragic homeless animal problem.

It is with a heavy heart that I write this update. Today we had to say “good bye” to our sweet boy, Dino. Dino was about five years old and came to us in March of 2004. In September of last year he was diagnosed with cancer in one of his back legs. After much thought and discussion with our vet, we elected not to amputate his leg. Because of his stout build-we lovingly referred to him as the “ottoman”-we didn’t think he would be able to get up or down without the use of all four legs. Dino did really well until May when it was clear that he was becoming uncomfortable. We knew we were getting close to having to let him go, but Dino wasn’t ready to give up yet. In May we had the leg amputated, and Dino responded by getting up the next morning after this extensive surgery and pulling on a leash to go outside. He did so well until a couple of weeks ago when he lost his appetite and became very “tired”. We had xrays, bloodwork, and a sonogram done. It was determined that the cancer had spread, and there was no more we could do but keep Dino comfortable until it became clear to us that it was his “time”, and that time was today.

Dino came to us after his guardians left him with neighbors while they went on vacation. After about a year it became clear that they weren’t coming back for him, and the neighbors called us to take him. It is a decision that we will never regret. For the last two and a half years this rescue was home to Dino. He had a “corner condo” that he was fiercely protective of. Dino loved to tear apart stuffed animals, and his kennel was always full of fluff. He was a comedian and provided us with lots of smiles and laughs. Dino had such a grateful spirit-always accepting the hand life dealt him and making the most of it. Although Dino was never chosen by a family to go to a “forever home”, we were so fortunate to have been his guardians for the balance of his life. The decision today was very difficult, but also very necessary so that Dino would not suffer. No matter how much we gave him, he always gave us more back with no hesitation and unconditional love. His memory lives on in our hearts. His spirit lives on to remind us of why we continue to help the less fortunate of this breed.

Many of you know the story of the Rainbow Bridge, but there is a second part to that story, and it helps us to get through this day. Someday we will be allowed to help Dino one final time.

And so, dear Dino, you fought a brave fight, but in the end this horrible disease was more than your body could handle. You will always be our “big sweet boy”, and you may be gone but will never be forgotten by those lucky enough to have met you. We love you and miss you.

Rich and Anna

The Rainbow Bridge...The Rest of the Story

Unlike most days at the Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray.

All the recent arrivals at the Bridge did not know what to think, as they had never seen such a day. But the animals who had been waiting longer for their beloved people to accompany them across the Bridge knew what was happening, and they began to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge.

Soon an elderly dog came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. He approached slowly, and though he showed no sign of injury or illness, he was in great emotional pain. Unlike the animals gathered along the pathway, he had not been restored to youth and vigor upon arriving at the Bridge. He felt out of place, and wanted only to cross over and find happiness.

But as he approached the Bridge, his way was barred by an angel, who apologized and explained that the tired and broken-spirited old dog could not cross over. Only those animals accompanied by their people were allowed to cross the Bridge. Having nobody, and with nowhere else to turn, the dog trudged into the field in front of the Bridge.

There he found others like himself, elderly or infirm, sad and discouraged. Unlike the other animals waiting to cross the Bridge, these animals were not running or playing. They simply were lying in the grass, staring forlornly at the pathway across the Rainbow Bridge. The old dog took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting, yet not knowing what he was actually waiting for.  One of the newer dogs at the Bridge asked a cat who had been there longer to explain what was happening. The cat replied, "Those poor animals were abandoned, turned away, or left at rescue places, but never found a home on earth.  They all passed on with only the love of a rescuer to comfort them.  Because they had no people to love them, they have nobody to escort them across the Rainbow Bridge."

The dog asked the cat, "So what will happen to those animals?"

Before the cat could answer, the clouds began to part and the cold turned to bright sunshine. The cat replied, "Watch, and you will see."

In the distance was a single person, and as she approached the Bridge the old, infirm and sad animals in the field were bathed in a golden light. They were all at once made young and healthy, and stood to see what their fate would be. The animals who had previously gathered at the pathway bowed their heads as the person approached.

At each bowed head, the person offered a scratch or hug. One by one, the now youthful and healthy animals from the field fell into line behind the person. Together, they walked across the Rainbow Bridge to a future of happiness and unquestioned love. The dog asked the cat, "What just happened?"

The cat responded, "That was a rescuer."

Anna recently had hand surgery, so she would like everyone to know that as soon as she feels better, she will be responding to your emails/applications, etc.

If you would like to help cheer her up, so she heals faster....donations make a great "GET WELL" gift.

Cheers!

As the owner/guardian/loveslave of several Pei, I frequently get a lot of odd comments and questions about the breed. Over time I have learned that these are opportunities for me to educate people about my marvelous wrinkle pups.
I will admit to the occasional frustration with some of the (oh how should I put this?) "less well thought out" stuff that I hear. But, not everyone is enlightened as a Shar Pei owner/guardian/loveslave. :)

One misconception that I have been working on dispelling, is the notion that Shar pei are "hard to train".

Now we all know that Shar Pei tend to have "Selective Hearing" at times. This is a unique condition where they cannot hear you calling them to come inside, but they can hear a morsel of food drop 3 rooms away. This just goes to show you that Shar Pei are highly intelligent and tuned to the important things in life.

OK, kidding.

But seriously, as a professional dog trainer, I can assure you that Shar Pei are just as capable of being trained as any other breed. What is different about them, and many other breeds, is that they were originally bred to be able to think for themselves. They are not what trainers refer to as a "push-button" type of dog. I am continually complimented on how well-behaved and friendly my dogs are. But, a lot of work went into that. These guys are smart, and they will try to game the system, when the opportunity arises.

Shar Pei have demonstrated themselves to be quite capable of competing in obedience trials, agility competitions and other popular dog sports. I encourage Shar Pei owners/guardians/loveslaves to look into these opportunities for your Pei. And don't forget the AKC's Canine Good Citizen program. Even the least athletic wrinkle pup can excel at that! Just don't try dock-jumping. We all know how how these guys feel about water. And its not pretty.....

Now it's time for a nap.....

California Shar Pei Rescue has a volunteer trainer/behaviorist to help you with your adopted Pei. Me!

Every one of our dogs goes home with an adoption packet. If you look inside you will see a card for Mutt-Minders. If you need help with your Pei, call or email.
If you did not adopt from us, but still need help, email me at tjennings@mutt-minders.com. My mission is help you and your Pei live together in harmony. As rescuers our dearest wish is to be put out of business....

Have a fun weekend!

Well now that the new site has been up for a week, there are some questions I need to answer.
Q: What do the highlighted dates on the calendar mean?

A: If you click on the highlighted date, you will be able to read the blog entry for that date. Even though they may no longer appear on the main page, all the entries are lurking in the archives. You can also click on a category and see all the entries for that category. Nifty, huh?

Q: Why does it say "comments" at the end of the blog entries?

A: Good question! And the answer is...so you can add comments about the things we say! We enjoy feedback from the people who visit our site.

Q: Where is the store?

A: It's coming! Hang in there. We are working on a few things and we hope to launch in time for the Christmas season.

And now for a silly story:

I have been fostering Bernie at my house in Modesto, since March of this year. Bernie is a bit of a character, but he is ALWAYS happy. When Bernie first arrived, he needed some crate training. Well, he figured out that the other dogs wouldn't willingly go into his crate, so he would hide his favorite toys and treats under the blankets, in the back of the crate.

Another dog came along after Bernie completed his crate training and while that dog was crate training, Bernie used that dog's crate as a stash for his goodies.

Smart boy, right? Well he also managed to train me. Bernie loves to rub his face on damp towels. After a shower he will wait politely for me to lay the towel on the floor and he goes to town rolling and rubbing away.

It gets better. Bernie figured out that all the stuff coming out of the washing machine is damp. Woohoo! So with some very polite encouragement, Bernie now has trained me to always toss a small towel in each load, so that he gets a fresh damp towel everytime I wash.

I'm a sucker for a wrinkly face.

Cheers!

Hi folks,

I just wanted to clarify how you can help us during your United Way campaigns.

The official name for us is "Homeward Bound CSP, Inc."

You won't need a United Way number. They will send us the appropriate paperwork.

To everyone who has asked, thank you for your generosity! Two paws up!

Every nine seconds an animal is euthanized in an American animal shelter.

Take the Pledge for Life!
_______________________________________________
Pledge for Life
From the authors of One at a Time: A Week in an American Animal Shelter

I care about animals.
I want to help bring about an end to the homeless animal tragedy.
I believe that the euthanasia of millions of animals in shelters every year
is an unacceptable solution to this tragedy .
And I understand that my actions have a direct effect,
and that my actions can create change.

I pledge to never cause an animal to be in an animal shelter.

I pledge...
...to understand the commitment of living with a companion animal.
...to be ready and willing to accept that commitment
before I bring an animal into my home and my family.
...to educate myself so that I can make a good match when choosing an animal,
and then to save a life by adopting a homeless animal
from a shelter, rescue group, or from the street.

...to protect my companions from becoming lost
by keeping them safely confined and wearing current
identification at all times.

...to not contribute to overpopulation,
by spaying and neutering my companion animals.

...to provide my companion animals with the basics of food and shelter and medical care,
and to provide them with the love and companionship they need to be happy.

...to include my companion animals as part of my family,
to socialize them so that they are comfortable in human society,
to train them so that they will be safe and be good citizens.

...to work through problems with my companions,
and to include them in my own life changes.

...to always demonstrate respectful, loving and responsible companion animal care
so that others may learn from my example and want to do the same.

I make this pledge to the animals, between them and me,
to the animals I know, and the ones I may never see,
to the animals in my home, and the ones in our shelters and on our streets,
to the animals here, and the ones yet to come.

I make this pledge to honor their love and companionship,
to acknowledge their intrinsic value,
to respect them as living beings
who carry the same precious spark of life that I myself do.

I understand that the solutions are in my hands.
I pledge to use those solutions, and in doing so,
to begin to create a community and a society that shows
compassion, love, and respect for those who cannot speak for themselves.

I make this pledge in love and hope.

Happy Friday everyone from all of us at Shar Pei Rescue!

I just want to share some hot weather tips with everyone before you head off for the weekend.
Remember to have plenty of fresh cold water available at all times, for yourself and your pets.
If the pavement is too hot for your feet, then it's too hot for your dog's.
The sun is hottest between 10am and 4pm. Take a cue from from your dogs and have a nap!
Stay in the shade! If you can't find any, have a friend make some, like our boy Snoopy below.


Bonne weekend!