Missouri’s Dirty Little Secret

As a dog lover, I'm more than a little embarrassed that I live in the "Puppy Mill Capital of the Nation." According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Missouri had 1,525 commercial breeders in 2008. This is nearly triple the number claimed by second-place Oklahoma, while most states claim fewer than 50 breeders...see Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation (MAAL) map.

So I was happy to learn of new campaign to get the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act on the November ballot in Missouri. Spearheaded by Missourians for the Protection of Dogs, this citizen-sponsored state ballot initiative will prevent tens of thousands of dogs from suffering due to the cruel and inhumane environments present in puppy mills. The measure will limit the number of breeding dogs per facility and requires large-scale facilities to provide the basics of humane animal care. You know, stuff like sufficient food and clean water, veterinary care, protection from the elements. (More details of the statute.)

Like many people, I have a tough time understanding how anyone would NOT provide such basics to an innocent animal. And one would think that most people with even an ounce of compassion wouldn't think twice about signing a petition like this. Yet this weekend as I signed the petition at our local recreation complex, one man walked by with this lovely comment: "I'll show you what you can do with your puppies." Obviously not a dog lover.

The campaign needs more than 100,000 signatures by April 27, 2010, in order to get this initiative on the ballot. Visit the Missourians for the Protection of Dogs website to find out how you can help or to find an upcoming signature gathering event. In addition, businesses can endorse the measure by completing a brief online form.  Ellen, Best Friends Studios

Photo Credit: Puppy Mill survivor Libby. Photo by Marian Brickner, MAAL.org

Books and Dogs

Since I just learned from Ellen on our blog that February is "I love to Read" month, I thought this quote was fitting. Remember, all bookplate labels are now on sale at Best Friends Studios.
Mary Ann

ON SALE: Dog & Cat Bookplate Labels

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to finally start the book club I'd been talking about for more than three years. Well, I finally took action and my new book club will discuss our first book, THE HELP, next Thursday evening. To celebrate this retreat from procrastination, I'm taking 20% OFF all bookplate labels at Best Friends Studios. Most of our bookplate labels feature carefully restored images from damaged vintage postcards of dogs and cats. For those of us in the habit of lending out books, you can't beat these beautiful labels for personalizing your books. They make great gifts for kids, teachers and book lovers. Ellen

P.S. I just found out that February is "I LOVE TO READ" month so grab a good book (I highly recommend The Help) and indulge in one of the best pastimes out there!

Uniquely Handcrafted Pet Beds

I've been spending way too much time on Etsy again. This time I found these incredibly elegant beds made by Jakey BB from Charlotte, NC. If you want your pooch or kitty to sleep in a bed suited for royalty, look no further. These are truly "one-of-a-kind" pieces that are hand painted and constructed of plywood/white wood and topped off with a cozy and beautiful cushion. This company is even green! Many of the fabrics they use are made from recycled vintage clothing and designer fabrics. They also offer beds without the wooden base and are just as colorful and fun as the elaborate wood designs. You can even get a Leash Hook to match! And if your little friend has lots of toys to store, you may want to gather them up and place them in one of their beautiful Toy Boxes.

Mary Ann
Best Friends Studios

A Doggy Valentine's Day

I'm feeling a little sad tonight. For the past eight or nine years, my kids and I have spent the night before their elementary school Valentine's Day party frantically putting the final touches on our homemade cards. But this is my daughter's last year at the elementary school, which means no more holiday parties and no more class valentines.

We've created our own valentines all but one year when I decided the heck with all this chaos the night before and instead let the kids purchase the typical commercial packs that you find at places like Wal-Mart and Target. But the cards were made so cheaply that I could never bring myself to buy them again. Through the years we've made butterflies with candy sticks, Smarties rockets, lollipop flowers and Valentine mice (FamilyFun has a ton of creative ideas). Since starting Best Friends Studios, I've steered the kids toward doggy-theme valentines that showcase photos of either Jasmine or Scamp. So for our last big batch of valentines, Elena took a cute photo of Scamp for her card. Happy Valentine's Day...spread a little love this weekend! Ellen

Mardi Gras Dogs & Others

Sunday was the annual Beggin' Strips Barkus Pet Parade held in the historic district of Soulard in St. Louis, Misssouri. The event was benefiting the Open Door Animal Sanctuary, a no kill shelter in Jefferson County. The parade was a huge success with Soulard's Mardi Gras streets jam packed with dogs of all sizes and even a goat, horse, and several cats thrown in for fun! Every year, Mardi Gras is celebrated throughout the streets of Soulard with a month long celebration of food, drink, and revelry....and of course our furry friends have to get in on the act. I've posted more photos on our Best Friends Studios flickr page. Check them out. I promise they'll make you smile!

Mary Ann

Best Friends Studios

Just for Fun Friday: YouTube Video of Dogs on the Beach

"Walking on Sunshine"

Stuck in the gray doldrums of what seems to be an ever-lasting winter? Check out this feel-good video of dogs on the beach. It will make you smile, sing and long for summer! Ellen
Best Friends Studios

Questionable Bones, Throwing Up, and Vet Bills

In the wee hours of Monday morning, Shaetze nor I got much sleep. Between bouts of vomiting, Shaetze was shivering from undoubtedly painful stomach cramps. As I lay awake sick to death with worry and unable to comfort my little guy, I kept wondering what on earth could have caused this trauma. It was that bone I gave him last night, I just knew it. It came from a reputable store and was packaged so nicely for our four legged friends that I had no doubt it was safe. I have no proof of course because it could have been anything the little scavenger had come across in the yard. So as soon as the Vet opened Monday morning, he was off to be healed. Sure enough, he was fighting an infection and not until they gave him antibiotics did he start to show signs of improvement. The vet is sure that it was something he had eaten. It got me thinking about all the things that can make a dog sick that I might not be aware of like fatty meats, grapes, garlic, or avocados. Some of these ingredients can even be found in food that is specifically produced for dogs. Sometimes though it is the amount, or the form that these seemingly innocent ingredients come in that can wreck havoc on an animal's stomach. Adrienne Carlson has compiled a list of "25 Common Foods That Can Be Toxic for Your Pet" over on her blog Veterinary Technician Schools Online. It's a must read for any pet owner. You might be surprised at some of the foods included in this list.

Shaetze is better by the way. We still don't know exactly what he got into and whether it was the dog bone or not, but you can be sure I'll be watching him like a hawk!
Mary Ann
Best Friends Studios

$5 OFF COUPON at Best Friends Studios

Ellen's puppy, Scamp, celebrates his first birthday today, February 1st. In honor of this little guy's big day, we're offering customers a $5 OFF COUPON on all orders over $25 at BestFriendsStudios.com from now through Monday, February 8 [sale ends 11:59 PM CST]. Limit one coupon per customer. Enter coupon code SCAMP at checkout. Happy Birthday, Scamp!  Ellen and Mary Ann