Toys4Tails Dog Blog

Resources & Links

+ Adoption/Shelters

+ Adoption/Shelters by State

+ Calendar

+ Cool Stuff

Bark & Ride
A new and fun way to i.d. your dog. The Pet Driver’s License® attaches to the pet’s collar so their address and telephone number is easy to find if they stray from home.
Bella Bean Couture
Fashion Forward – check out the great collection of collars and leashes at Bella Bean Couture.
Chilly-buddy Rain Coat
PT Bofabs Chilly-buddy rain coat is rugged and durable for the harsh weather your pup might endure. Available in super petite to XXL, it is designed for easy on and off and has a collar structure that helps to prevent leakage around your dog’s neck. Check
Handi-Drink
Cool off this summer with Handi-Drink, a portable water bottle that snaps into a uniquely designed tray that is quickly filled with water in just one squeeze. It is great for long walks, hikes and the local dog park.
Kool Collar
Fill the Kool Collar with either a gel pack or ice to keep your dog from overheating during the hot summer days.
Packabowl
This anti-bacterial, recyclable and dishwasher safe bowl from Polka Dog Bakery is great for travel and comes in several fun colors.
Pouf! to Remove Unwanted Fur.
Mrs. Grossman’s Pouf! is a package of 20 playing card-size adhesive sheets that remove pet hair and fuzz from clothes, upholstery and car seats. Six fun designs are available. A portion of the proceeds are donated to Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Squishy Dog Bowls
A fun, lightweight, rugged and portable bowl for feeding or providing water to your pup. THe bowls come in three colors and range in size from 24 oz to 48 oz.
Zuka Dog Travel Bowls
There bright and colorful dog travel bowls are perfect for pups on the go.

+ Doggy Daycare/Camps

+ Experts

Bark Busters
Bark Busters is a home-based training program that leverages the same communications methods - body language and voice control - that dogs follow as part of their instinctual pack mentality. The SPCA International named Bark Busters the “Best of the Best”
Pet Place
Dr. Jon – he and his team of over 80 veterinary contributors have developed a library of over 10,000 articles. Visit www.petplace.com and subscribe to his newsletter.
PetzMD
PetzMD launched September 2008 and provides access to pet health informational resources as well as objective healthcare and lifestyle information.
Veterinary Pet Insurance
Veterinary Pet Insurance is the nation’s oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance.
Webvet
Launched in August 2008, webvet.com is dedicated to giving pet owners helpful information on topics ranging from pet weight loss to innovative medical practices.

+ Food & Treats

A Dog’s Life Treats
Does your Dog deserve his/her 15 minutes of fame? Check out A Dog’s Life treats. Available in six, all-natural yummy flavors, you can send a photo of your dog and enter to win a chance to be a cover model.
Dogswell
Ernie’s favorite treat – Happy Hips, Chicken Breast. Ernie and all of his doggie friends now know this by code name – chicky-chix. They literally will do anything for one of these tasty treats.
Wagatha’s
Check out Wagatha’s, the gourmet dog treats that are 100% certified organic, kosher, and lovingly made in the beautiful state of Vermont.
Zukes
These have been recommended by trainers and new puppy owners as the yummiest of bite sized snacks ever - make sure to get the mini naturals.

+ Other Great Sites

3rd Annual K9 Cancer Walk
Join Morris Animal Foundation on Sunday, August 21, for the 3rd annual Morris Animal Foundation K9 Cancer Walk at City Park. The event will benefit the Foundation’s Canine Cancer Campaign.
Feeding Pets of the Homeless
A non-for profit organization providing pet food and grants for veterinary care to the homeless and less fortunate in communities throughout the United States and Canada.
Foster 2 Home Dogs Got Talent!
Join us at the Hotel Indigo, 920 East Northwest Highway on August 28th from noon to 4 pm for a fun and entertaining game show featuring dogs spinning a wheel for fun prizes. Tickets: $25.00 in advance or $30.00 at the door.
How Many Dog Breeds Are There?
According to the World Canine Organization FCI there are approximately 400 recognized breeds of dog worldwide. There is an ongoing debate as to the exact number of dog breeds as various kennel clubs recognize different breeds.
Poochie ID system?
According to Animal Wellness Magazine a dog’s nose print is as unique as a human’s finger print and can even be used for identification purposes.
The Animal Rescue Site Challenge
The Animal Rescue Site wants you to help choose which eligible animal rescue organizations will receive special funds to help animals! Cast one vote every day for your favorite rescue. Eligible organizations with the most votes will receive grants!
www.dogsforthedeaf.org
www.dogster.com
www.itchmo.com
www.petsitters.org
www.spayeducation.org

+ Publications

Bark
Dog Park Wisdom
Lisa Wogan’s Dog Park Wisdom, can help ensure your time with Fido, wherever you spend it is safe and fun. Loaded with great stories, photos and best of all humor, this is a must have for any dog lover’s library!
Dog’s Life
Modern Dog
Pet Place
Shelter Stories: Love, Guaranteed.
If you are familiar with Patrick McDonnell’s charming cartoon strip Mutts, check out his new book, Shelter Stories: Love, Guaranteed. This collection of stories celebrates the adoption of shelter dogs and other animals.

+ Travel

Petfinder.com Foundation’s Rescue U Program

By Chief Toy Officer on Saturday, May 28th, 2011 | Barks (0)

The Petfinder.com Foundation will partner with Animal Lifeline for the Rescue U program again this spring to educate, rehabilitate and rescue! Approximately 30 students from Delaware Valley College, Morehead State University, and the Eastern Kentucky University will be volunteering together on various projects to improve shelter conditions at Rowan County Animal Shelter and Menifee County Animal Shelter in Eastern Kentucky. Students from Rescue U will take the first week of summer vacation to repair and install chain link fences and kennels, build roofs over kennels, install a dog bath, make dog and cat beds, clean the existing kennels, and install an outdoor cat enclosure and play area.

To learn more, and see how you can help visit: http://petfinderfoundation.com/rescueu/

Share the Love - Dog Food & Supplies

By Chief Toy Officer on Friday, May 27th, 2011 | Barks (0)

Check out Share the Love’s website - http://www.sharethelovenc.org/

This amazing organization distributes donated pet food and supplies to rescue organizations and low-income families. So far they have given away over 120,000 pounds of pet food!

Run. Romp. Play Daily. Inspiring Words about Dogs.

By Chief Toy Officer on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 | Barks (1)

Dogs on the beach in San Francisco

I received an email today from a subscriber who shared this very touching message. While she did not share who the original author was, I thought it was a worth sharing!

A Dog’s Purpose (from a 6-year-old’s perspective).   Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound who was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for the dog and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure in their home. As we made arrangements, the owners informed me they thought it would be good for their six-year-old to observe the procedure feeling as though he might learn something from the experience.

The little boy seemed to accept the dogs transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. The boy, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ‘I know why.’ He said, ‘People are born so that they can learn how to live a good Life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.

Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy-ride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you’re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

San Francisco Dog Parks and Beaches

By Chief Toy Officer on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 | Barks (0)

Ernie in San Francisco

Have a favorite place to play with your pup? Ernie shares some local San Francisco favorites - Bark Back with your town’s top

places to play!

1. Crissy Field, Marina, San Francisco - Over 100 acres.

2. Golden Gate Park, Sunset District - More than 100 acres, but off-leash dog areas are limited to four zones. Check out Golden Gate Parks website www.parks.sfgov.org to download a map of the park.

3. Fort Funston, South end of Ocean Beach - over 35 acres.

4. Glen Park, Glen Park Canyon - Leashes required in the park.

5. Lake Merced - Over 35 acres.

6. Buena Vista Park, Haight Ashbury area - Over 35 acres.

7. Bernal Heights, Bernal Hill - Off-leash area for dogs within the 30 acre park.

8. Mountain Lake Park, Presidio & Richmond Districts - 10 acres.

9. Alta Plaza Park, Pacific Heights - Off-leash area for dogs with the 12 acre park.

10. Dolores Park, Mission District - Off-leash area for dogs within Dolores Park’s 13 acres.