Remember Me Thursday; The Dogs Who Don't Get Adopted

Thank goodness for No Kill shelters and the lost or abandoned pets lucky enough to end up in one.  However, so many lost, abandoned, or surrendered dogs, cats, and other pets don't end up in shelters that are No Kill.  They don't end up in the places that will keep them until a home can be found no matter how long it takes. These unlucky pets are in a place where the clock never stops ticking.  They are running out of time.

Please HELP shine a light on all the pets waiting in shelters to be adopted

On REMEMBER ME THURSDAY we remember and honor the pets that have run out of time and lost their lives in animal shelters that live by the clock.  

People ask Why?  Why can't we save them all?  It's a question with no clear answer.  My question isn't just Why can't we save them all, but Why do so many pets end up without homes in the first place? and What is the root cause of this problem? Those are my questions.  There is no one answer, there are a variety of reasons pets end up homeless.  Some reasons are valid, many are senseless.  

I rescued my beautiful girl Phoebe from a county shelter in Arizona.  She had an extreme fear of men, but with patience, love, and a little time she blossomed into the most loving, friendly dog!  She is such a joy, I'm so glad she joined our family.

The reality is that  homeless animals are suffering in shelters through no fault of their own.  The reality is that every day, many of these homeless dogs, cats, and other homeless pets die in shelters because they have run out of time.  

Today, on REMEMBER ME THURSDAY, we remember those animals and try to raise awareness of their plight.

Adorable Gracie is still waiting for a loving home

ENTER the #RememberTheRescue CONTEST!!

The #RememberTheRescue Challenge is a social media photo contest where rescue pet parents tweet and post pics of their beloved adopted pets. Participants then nominate their favorite pet adoption organization or facility to WIN one of three awesome prize packages of Cash, Food and Toys!  

Upload a photo of your awesome rescue pet to shine a light on adoptable pets everywhere.  Your entry could WIN your favorite pet rescue organization life-saving funds and food (and toys too)!

You can enter the contest by clicking on the #RememberTheRescue Challenge link above to upload a photo or video and fill out the entry form.  You can also enter by posting a photo on Twitter or Instagram and use the hashtags #RememberTheRescue AND #RememberMeThursday. You must also visit the RememberMeThursday.org/contest web page to complete your Twitter and Instagram entries by providing your submission information. You have until September 30th the enter the contest!

Do you, or someone you know, have room in your heart and your home for any of these dogs, who have still not found forever homes?

Gracie has been waiting a long time for a home.  You can find her at the Bideawee animal shelter in New York. 

Handsome Pace has been waiting for a home since early 2016.  This goofy, energetic guy was transported from Alabama, but is currently in the Bideawee shelter in New York.

These two photos are of ICE, who has been waiting since early 2015 for a home!  She's a beautiful Hound mix who lived her life outdoors, chained to a tree day and night.  Her owner surrendered her when the weather became too cold for Ice to reasonably remain outdoors.  Ice knows basic the commands Sit, Down, Stay, and Drop It.  Living in a cage for over 2 years is no way for a dog to live, she desperately needs a home!

You'll find ICE waiting for a loving home at the  Town Of Hempstead Animal Shelter in New York.  Sadly, this beautiful girl is the 4th longest resident at the shelter.

Please share to help these dogs find homes.  They deserve to be loved and have been waiting far too long for loving homes.

Dogs Playing in Fall Leaves

FALL, WHERE ARE YOU??  

It's been in the 80's in New York for the last two weeks, c'mon Mother Nature hit us with some FALL already!

Phoebe loves play in the leaves!

If you love Fall as much as we do .....

Fall, or Autumn as some prefer, is a great time to take a special trip with your dog.  The Summer crowds have thinned out and the weather is cool and crisp.  

🐶 How about a Fall trip to dog friendly Montauk  or The Hamptons in New York?  
🐶 History buffs that love witches, ghosts, and goblins, can bring the dog along on a "Witch Hunt" in Salem, Massachusetts.  
🐶 A weekend getaway to historical Colonial Williamsburg is a fun and educational vacation for the whole family.  

🐶 If you're on the West coast, Fall is the perfect time to visit Sedona, Arizona.  The scenic beauty will literally take your breath away!  The miles and miles of dog friendly hiking will keep your dog's tail wagging with sheer joy. 

We took Icy and Phoebe to all these places, each one warmly welcomed our dogs!

What is your dog's favorite activity to do in the Fall? Please leave us a comment and share!

Dog Friendly Sunset Boat Cruise

Have you ever taken your dog on a Doggie Sunset Boat Cruise?  Some of you may remember me saying that one of my goals this Summer was to take my dogs out on a boat. Icy and Phoebe have never been on a boat before and that was one of my top adventure goals for them.  But life got hectic and the Summer flew by so fast, I didn't make that goal.

Phoebe's First Boat Ride!

Phoebe's first Dog Friendly Sunset Boat Cruise

When I heard about a Doggie Sunset Cruise not too far from our house, it sounded like the perfect first step to finally getting my dogs out on the water!  I had planned to take both Icy and Phoebe on the boat ride, but at the last minute I decided to take just Phoebe. I wanted to see what it was like before bringing Icy along.  Phoebe is so easy, she only weighs 11 lbs and virtually nothing phases her.   For a first step in getting my dogs out on a boat, I felt a larger boat with a smaller dog was the right way to go!

Our boat for the Doggie Sunset Cruise on Captain Lou's Fleet in Freeport, New York

WHAT DOES ONE WEAR ON A DOG FRIENDLY BOAT CRUISE?

I wasn't asking that question for me, I was wondering what Phoebe should wear?  We had just been to Jones Beach a few days before and although it's end of season, the surf shop was still open.  They had some onesies for babies on sale at half price -  what luck!  I found this adorable Jones Beach Lifeguard onesie in a 6 months size.  I just cut off the bottom part that snaps and voila!  Phoebe had a cute nautical themed shirt.  Doesn't she look adorable!?  I think red is her color.

Phoebe looked adorable in this Jones Beach Lifeguard shirt, perfect for her first boat ride

As we explored this part of the boat deck, it kind of reminded me of that famous scene in the Titanic movie - you know the one I mean!  If I had a giant blue diamond necklace I'd have pitched it overboard, just for the romance of it! 

Standing out way out on above the water reminded me of the Titanic movie!

I didn't have a giant blue diamond necklace on me, so we just enjoyed the view from the front of the boat, the part that sticks way out into the water - I think that's called the "bulbous bow"?  Any boat experts out there know if that's the right name for what we're standing on in these two photos?

MAKING NEW FRIENDS ON THE BOAT

Phoebe loved meeting this beautiful little dog named Miracle out on deck.  She's the sweetest girl!

Phoebe made lots of other doggie friends too! Most of the dogs were really relaxed and friendly. Here's Phoebe chillaxin' with a small group of seaworthy dog friends she met on the boat.  I loved that so many of the dogs were dressed in nautical themed outfits - check out the tiny sailor hats on the two Shih Tzu's on the right!  I have GOT to get one of those hats for Phoebe's next ocean excursion!

WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN ON THE HARBOR

As the sun set, we cruised past the beautiful lights shining from homes and restaurants along the harbor.  It was so calm and peaceful with the lights reflecting off the water.

Sailing along Freeport harbor, enjoying beautiful lights on the water during our dog friendly boat cruise

It was a little intimidating when we cruised under the drawbridge they had to raise for our boat to fit underneath it.  Especially since they alert everyone with a really loud siren just before the bridge goes up - I didn't realize what was happening at first!  I've lived on Long Island my whole life, but I honestly have never gone beneath a drawbridge as it was going up.  It's pretty cool as you pass directly under the bridge and look UP!

Drawbridge going UP!!

Although it was overcast that evening, we still saw a lovely sunset!  I'm so glad we finally got out on the water with at least one of our dogs.  I can't wait to go again, and I hope to get Icy on a boat soon too!

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We enjoyed seeing the sun set from the boat deck on our Doggie Sunset Cruise

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If you enjoyed this post, you may like my PET TRAVEL posts.  I share tips and information from travel adventures with our dogs.  You might find your next pet travel destination there!

If you're taking your dog out on a boat, especially a smaller boat, check out these Boating Safety Tips for Pets.

Have you ever been on a boat with your pets?  Tell us about it in the comments.  We love hearing about your pet adventures!

Discovering New Dog Friendly Places!

We love discovering new dog friendly places with our dogs Icy and Phoebe!

We loved the beautiful walking paths at Dix Hills Park!

Peek A Boo, We See You Icy!

Phoebe's loving all those new SMELLS!!

We're so happy we discovered this local park that allows dogs on their beautiful walking paths!  Dog friendly Dix Hills Park is in Long Island, New York.

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Dog Friendly Dix Hills Park, Long Island NY

I'm always complaining that Long Island, New York isn't dog friendly.  We joke that their "No Dogs Allowed" signs must be the official sign of Long Island.  We joke that the guy who makes these signs must be a mega-millionaire!   For the most part we still feel that way, but recently things have started to change.... slightly.

Recently, our township ruled that the majority of parks in our town would now allow dogs - Woo Hoo!!  Throw the confetti & start the parade!  Lest we get too giddy with glee however, it was noted that the beautiful little park one block away from my house is NOT on the list.  State parks are also excluded from this decree.  But hey, we're not greedy!  We'll bask in the glory of more access to most of our town's parks for now.

Icy and Phoebe can hardly contain their excitement over the new town rule, finally allowing (leashed) dogs in most of the parks!

In celebration of this small victory, we decided to check out a new park not far from where we live. Dix Hills Park is a lovely town park with a Golf Course, Pool, and shaded walking path.

Look at this patch of moss I discovered!!  I'm going to ROLL in it before Mom tries to stop me - Ha, Ha!

Icy and Phoebe were so excited to explore a new park.  All those glorious new smells!!

Phoebe had a ball sniffing and exploring everything along the trail!

We enjoyed the beautiful, long, shaded walking trail with the dogs at Dix Hills Park

We had so much fun!  We are definitely keeping Dix Hills Park on our list of favorite walking trails!

There is an organization on Long Island that works to get more access to public recreational places for dogs.  They did a great job convincing our town to finally make many of it's parks dog friendly. I think their success in getting a large chunk of parks to allow dogs came because they focused on people as well as dogs.

When trying to get local officials to allow dogs in public recreational areas, most of the time the focus is on the dogs.  They focus on how important it is for DOGS to get out and walk, exercise, and enjoy public places. While that is certainly important, I think when you also focus on how important it is for PEOPLE to be able to enjoy these places along with their dogs, public officials take more notice. 

Pointing out that dogs motivate people to get out and use public spaces more, and that doing so can positively impact a person's health, makes legislators see it as a benefit to the community.

The HABRI (Human Animal Bond Research Institute) has been touting this fact for years. HABRI calls it The Pet Effect.  They have conducted lots of research that shows how pets have a positive impact on human health in so many ways, both physically and mentally.

I'm a huge believer in pets having a positive impact on human health.  If it weren't for our dogs, we wouldn't walk and hike nearly as much as we do.  We get off our butts and do it for them more than for us!

The more people have an opportunity to get out and walk, hike, bike, or run with their dogs the more it can have a positive impact on their physical health.  Dogs motivate people to get out and MOVE!  Research also shows that pets are one of the reasons many people quit smoking.  They don't want to negatively impact the health of the pets with second hand smoke.

If you're working to get your local officials to provide more access for dogs in public recreational areas, include the benefits to people not just pets in making your case.  

Reference the research and Info-Graphics you'll find on HABRI's web site.  You can probably even contact them and ask for advice on materials you can share to help make your case.  You may have better results getting more access to public places by including the benefits to people as well as pets. 

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If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy My Dogs Excellent Beach Adventure in Gardiner's Park & Beach.






Does your community allow dogs in most public parks and other public recreational places?  Leave us a comment and share!  We love hearing your thoughts.