My "viscous" dog - Part II.

Now THAT is scary!

My "viscous" dog.

Yeah...she's really scary.

I feel so defeated.

It was all too easy for me to blow off Ontario's ban on pit bulls because...well, I obviously don't live in Canada. But it absolutely makes me sick to see how many American cities are jumping on this ridiculous bandwagon...and many of those cities are right here in Alabama. Warrior, Irondale, Mobile County - just a few of the municipalities topping my "I'll never live there" list. These are also cities that will NEVER see one red cent of my money. Not. One. Cent.

I'm sick and tired of watching our media whip the general public into a frenzy that results in our lazy legislators passing ordinances and restrictions that do absolutely nothing to address the problem. The problem as I see it is ignorant, uncaring people who should not own dogs in the first place. The problem as I see it is people who allow their dogs run loose and be picked up by animal control time and time again with no repercussions. How about an ordinance shutting down the irresponsible "Puppies for Sale" breeders who no doubt filled three pages in this morning's newspaper in a sad attempt to make a buck? How about we do something to address the PROBLEM owners instead of screwing the responsible owners like me?

And before any of you say, "Well, it doesn't affect me because I'd never have a pit bull" consider this - BSL generally defines a pit bull as an American Pit Bull Terrier, an American Staffordshire Terrier, any mix of those breeds or any dog with similar physical characteristics to the breeds. The umbrella also generally covers American Bulldogs and Bull Terriers (remember Spuds Mackenzie?). BSL does NOT take into consideration your dog's temperment. BSL does not care if your dog wouldn't hurt a fly. BSL does not care if your dog has his Canine Good Citizen certification.

Who gets to determine exactly what breed your dog is? Could be an animal control officer, could be a reputable breeder, could be a vet. BSL never specifies who gets to make the call so for all we know it could be the mayor's secretary. And really...are Dobies, Rotties or Huskies far behind?

All I ask is that before you let the media make your decisions, do a bit of research on your own. And consider how much faith you put in the media concerning things like war, politics or religion.

My dog is NOT an outlaw. Please don't make her one.

Sweet!

We found this guy in Metropolis, IL! And yes, we actually exited the interstate to follow the signs for the "Giant Superman Statue!!"

Hard to read but his plaque says, "Truth, justice and the American way".

Valentine

My wonderfully talented friend Bridget took these photos of Val as we were passing thru Toledo Friday.

Who wouldn't love this girl??

We would have had more money for a hotel...

if we didn't have to pay the state of New York a $23.10 toll for taking I-90 all the way from Massachusetts to Buffalo! For that amount, the interstate should be lined with cherring spectators...much like a parade route!

As it was, we ended up in a HoJo rat hole in Niagara Falls, NY. Seriously...this is the stuff horror movies are made of! Ever seen Vacancy?? Exactly!


We found a super nice Sheraton online with an affordable falls view room but thankfully we realized (before booking!) that it was in Ontario. 1) We didn't have the proper paperwork to travel to/from Canada and 2) Ontario has a ban on pit bulls. So not only would Valentine have been turned away (or worse yet, seized!) I don't care to spend my tax dollars in areas that support such ridiculous discrimination. As it was, Val was MUCH better behaved than the hoodlum kids across the hall from us!

I'll take a rat hole hotel over someone who doesn't like my dog any day.

Lucy and Ethel see Niagara Falls

Our original plan was to say in Buffalo Thursday night (in route from New Hampshire to Chicago) but when we realized how close we'd be to Niagara Falls we figured what the hell! Yeah..."What the hell?!" is exactly what we said when we woke up this morning to see the entire parking lot covered in snow! But we braved the early morning freezing cold for a quick, self guided walking tour of Goat Island (the American side of the falls).

I'd like the EXTRA-LARGE van please.

Dancing for his dinner.

Yeah, so I still haven't figured out the whole "rotating a video clip" thing...I can do it on the camera but it still downloads in the original format. I guess the easiest thing would be to just stop holding the damn camera this way...

Anyway, this is Frankie dancing for his dinner...could he be any cuter?!

My old lady.

As soon as CiCi sees a treat, she starts throwing out tricks just hoping to hit the one I want! And we always end up at "dead dog". Always!

And if anyone out there knows how the hell to rotate a video clip (whether on the camera or in YouTube), PLEASE let me know! My neck is getting sore!

Valentine update

It's super short, but it's so great to see her moving a little faster these days! That's Marley at the gate and Lily barking in the background.

Ruby's going home!

After three long months, I approved an adopter for Ruby this morning! She'll be going to an engaged couple who lives just outside of New Orleans. And they have a cat...who I hope can stand up for himself!

I'm so happy to see Ruby going to a family who can give her much more time and attention than we can, but man we're going to miss this little girl! And we're going to have to look into daycare for Marley because she and Ruby are best buds!

Yay for Ruby!

Sniffing the wind...

Val LOVES to be outside, especially in the sunshine. She puts her nose in the air, closes her eyes and sniffs the wind.

That's comfortable?!

Looks pretty uncomfortable, right?

Obviously not...she fell asleep like that!

Valentine update

We picked Valentine up from the vet Monday evening and she's at our house temporarily. Brandon was off work Tuesday and Wednesday so by the time I got home in the afternoons she was following him around like a little shadow. She still flinches when you reach to touch her, but once you find the right spot to scratch, she melts like butter. And even though she's hesitant when you pet her, she really prefers to be close to one of us all the time.

She's doing well in her crate though she hides in there a bit too much for me. We're going to move her out to an ex-pen in the next day or two to see if that helps her adjust a bit more. We're also going to introduce her to Frankie soon as we have a wonderful offer for a foster home with one small male pup.

I'd also like to offer HUGE thanks to my vet for only charging me for a fraction of the work she had done. Her 12 days at the vet included a spay, x-rays, multiple panels of bloodwork, a heartworm test, a fecal, treatment for whipworms, antibiotics for mastitis and a heartworm pill. Not even considering the boarding or the huge handle I put the clinic in, that should at least be $500. I only paid $200. Needless to say, I'll be taking lunch by the clinic one day soon!