accomplishment ACE Adopt the Internet Day advocate AKC ALIVE Andrea Arden APDT attention aversives Be the Change for Animals beagle beds Bianca bibliophile birthday blessings blog hop BlogPaws board and train Boston Terrier bullied by the blog C-WAGS C.L.A.S.S. call to action CCPDT CDSP certification Certified Pet Dog Trainer change chapter 1 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Christmas Cincinnati click and treat clicker expo clicker training coming when called commitment common sense communication competion coupon cpdt CPDT-KA craft crisis response Dads Daisy decisions dog shows dog training dominance Easter economy emotions empathy equine Face of Crisis facebook family focus food Fortunate Fido Frames of Mind fraud Gardner giving goals group class harness holy week house guest humanity Husker Ian Dunbar individuals instinct integral internet Jade Jean Donaldson joy K9 Chaplains K9 Comfort Dogs Karen Pryor Ken McCort Lake Township Lana Mitchell learning learning theory leash aggression life experience lifestyle training living positively mama beagle Meagan Melissa Alexander minature horse Morgan Specter Mr. Chewy mule Nevada Humane Society Never Shock a Puppy normal Northern Illinois University Open House openminded opportunity pack theory Parents of Murdered Children party Patricia McConnell peace personality pet blogger challenge Pet Blogger Hop Pets without Parents Philadelphia polite greetings POMC positive reinforcement positive reinforcement clicker training precious priorities product review puppies puppy class Rainbow Bridge Rally Obedience relationships relaxing research review rewards routine safe versus dangerous service dogs SPA sports stress success Sue Ailsby Sweet Spots Doggy Ice Cream TDInc. teacher technology The Clicked Retriever therapy dogs thinking time tools tornado toys training plan training tip travel tricks twitter unconditional love video work in progress

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Tuesday, December 8, 2009

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

...everywhere I go! This is the time of year when calm gives way to frenzy, when normal gives way to crazed, and when we really should be thinking about others instead of all the things we are thinking about.

In this economy, there are many people with no jobs, no place to call home, and no relief in sight. Their pets have also suffered. Some have been let out to go potty and never let back in, others have been driven out to the country and dropped off, and others have been dropped off at shelters and pounds. I heard a story about a dog wandering in a city with Rosary Beads around his neck; someone loved that dog and prayed that it would be safe and find a new home.

I have a suggestion for you this especially trying holiday season -- instead of buying a bunch of new toys, treats, and a new dog bed for your own dog (when truth be told, they really prefer sticks to new toys, our lovingly made, more nutritious homemade treats, and our bed to any dog bed!), buy some things for a shelter or pound you hold near and dear. They can always use beds, food, treats, toys, and countless other items! Wouldn't it feel good to help out animals in need this year? Wouldn't it help to remind us all that it's not just about us? Wouldn't it feel good to know you helped an animal who is not curled up on a nice soft couch in a warm house this winter?

There are lots of great groups out there who need your help. Ask around, Google it, do whatever you need to do, but find a group and give them something -- nothing is too small or insignificant to help. The rewards will be boundless.

"For unto us a child is born."