California's Pet Limitation Laws / Twinkie's Pack is in TROUBLE

Hello,

Intro: For those of you reading this blog for the past few years, I am Twinkie's M.  I usually let Twinkie do the talking here, but current events dictate that the human takes over. Please share this post or excerpts it on Twitter, FaceBook, your blogs... any place you are willing to, as much and as often as you can. My pack and family are not the only ones dealing with this issue. It is each animal lover's duty to see to it that everyone finds a loving home, so you all see the irony in finding that home and losing it solely based on overgeneralization of ordinances regulating the number of pets. 

* * *

I am reaching out to anybody who may be able to help me either directly or by sharing useful information, regarding the 3-dog per household law in the State of California.

I live in La Canada, Flintridge--The Suburbs. Through the years, I have rescued many animals: squirrels, dogs, cats... birds, any living creature that comes my way. I have 3 registered dogs with the Pasadena Humane Society but I also have another 4 that are not--not because I wanted to cheat the city of any money, but because I can only legally own 3. A dog-hating neighbor has been on my case for over a year. He initially tried to prove that my dogs were excessive barkers, but he couldn't, since that is not the case at all. He contacted the Humane Society, bothered the sheriff's station, but he was unable to prove his case. I am very sensitive to being a good neighbor. My family and pets do not cause noise disturbances. I pick up after my dogs. I make sure that they are in their rooms (I split them up in 3 groups, inside the house) between the hours of 9pm and 8am. I also live on 7/8 of an acre, in a 3,500 square foot home, on horse property. 

A list of  all seven dogs based on size

1. Twinkie: 7-9 year old Chihuahua mix. The ruler of the pack. She's got 3 working legs, has frequent strokes... weighs 4 lbs. She was thrown out of a moving car, according to the rescue organization that passed her on to me to help her cross the rainbow bridge almost six years ago.

2. Frankie: she's about 4 years old. She's a chi mix too. Very timid. Took her a few years to get used to everyone. She was passed out from one person to another during a horse show I was observing. I took her home with me.

3. Pedro: Another Chi mix. He's 3 years old, his second home told me. He was being sold for $50 outside a thrift store. His second home couldn't keep him because he was so unruly. It took two years, but he's a really good boy now, and he "helped me raise the two danes". He is very attached to them. 

4. Linguini: She's a dalmatian mix, about 60 lbs. I adopted her from the Pasadena Humane Sociaty 16 gears ago. This has been her only home since. She's got incontinence, major arthritis, is partially deaf, but she's also a really happy girl who enjoys every meal.

5. Rocket: Another mix, part Chow maybe. He came with my partner when we moved in together. He is about 10. He has a reputation of being an aggressive dog. He immediately adjusted to my pack and hasn't caused any problems. He is a happy senior citizen who plays well with all the dogs, and even the cats.

6. Sasha: Great dane. She weights about 130lbs. She was "given" to me when I went to get her littermate, Ziggy. She was and still is quite the handful. She's hyper and unruly. That's why her family wanted to get rid of her.

7. Ziggy: Great dane. 150lbs. I admit, I always wanted a great dane and when I saw his photo on Craig's list, my heart leapt. I was impulsive for sure. A few months after bringing him home, he was diagnosed with Wobbler's. My heart broke, but I got a CareCredit card and with it, I was able to afford the best care for him. A year after his diagnosis, he is healthier than ever. He is able to run and play with the other dogs, his pack. 

As a group, this is one weird mix, but it's one that has worked well for everyone for years. All the dogs get to play and run in our huge yard. They have toys, food, water, and most of all they have each other. They are loved and get plenty of attention from their three humans. That's why we've never ran into any trouble before this neighbor. Our property is so large, that we actually have six adjoining ones; yet nobody but one person has ever complained.  

I look forward to reading your comments, but please, do not offer to take anybody in yet. Some wonderful people have, but my family and I are not ready for that.

Please help me keep them all in their existing home. 

Thank you

Bella Needs a Loving Home

Hi furiends, while my family and I are still heartbroken, mourning the untimely loss of our beloved furiend Thunder, from The Chronicle of Woos, a tiny friend is in need. Here is what Bella's mom had to say:

Hi! I am Bella’s first Mommy I wanted to give you a little background story to help you understand Bella a little. My husband and I first bought Bella from a breeder in March 2008. Her birthday is December 20th 2007. She was so tiny she could fit in the palm of our hand. We loved her from the moment we saw her. As the years went on my husband and I loved, played and dedicated everything to our little love Bella. She has been such a Joy! This recent time has been so hard. We had children and one has been very sick for 8 months. Unfortunately Bella has not gotten the love and attention she once had and needs. We are at the point where we have decided as a family that it is time to find her another loving home for her. She is a small dog and as you know they are much like babies  in the love and care they need. I am confident that Bella will love you and hope that you fall in love with her too. She definitely takes a longer time to warm up to strangers but once she does she is a sweetheart. The following are a little of the basics that she is use to (but feel free to do what is best for you and your new puppy): Feeding: she eats wet food mostly but I gave her dry food in a separate bowl for her to snack on between feedings. We feed her half a can of this “Natural Balance” (they have it at Petco or most pet stores), store the rest of in the fridge. They dry food she gets is this bag of “Royal Canin” also at most pet stores.Sleeping: Unfortunately we started letting her sleep in our bed from the beginning so she is very use to it now. But I’m sending you with her little pink bed which she also loves. It’s up to you if you want to try to break the habit or if you like the company  Medical: She is spayed and up to date on shots- all records provided in this packet. If you give her table food she might get a tummy ache. The only table food we give her (sometimes) is chicken, plain cooked white rice. She does stand close when we have dinner for some once in a while droppings. I am sending her with all of her belongings: Pink soft bed Ed Hardy Carry-on Bag Pee Pads (new pack)- she is potty trained to go on these but likes them in a corner Some dresses- although she hates them  Collar Leash Toys PLEASE!!!! IF at ANY time you decide its not a good fit, we will take her back…no questions asked. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions or concerns.

If any of you have room in your homes and your hearts, please leave a comment on our blog. If you are not able to help Bella out, it would be nice of you to take a moment and leave an encouraging comment on Thunder's blog. His family and pack mates miss him terribly.

We are all important. Ideally, when adopted it is forever, but reality sometimes bites. A tiny needs a home, an awesome one crosses over...Go hug your loved ones and tell them that you love them. That's what Thunder would have liked--his momma said so.

Respectfully, 

Twinkie

In memory of Thunder

April 28, 2006 - July 1, 2013

How to keep your dog fit?

This is a guest post by Ruth from DogHQ, QA site created to help dog owners get an advice. DogHQ contains dozens of dog related questions and answers and gives you all the necessary information to succeed in raising a friendly, healthy and happy dog.
As an avid animal enthusiast, dogs have always been part of my life, but keeping them properly exercised, especially while living in a city with minimal resources can be challenging. I first noticed that proper fitness and weight management were an issue for my two year old Australian Shepherd when he started to become more lethargic than usual. Instead of being his active self, he began spending more time lounging on the couch in the sunshine than bounding up and down the stairs, and running to the kitchen at the slight chance of receiving a treat. It wasn't long before his run across the yard become more of a waddle.

I had recently relocated to a new city, and upon arrival discovered that not only was there no dog park within city limits, but that allowing your dog off leash anywhere but your yard would result in a hefty fine, something I luckily learnt prior to being ticketed. Unfortunately, due to these set-backs, my formally athletic dog, started to noticeably pack on the pounds. My first attempt to rectify this situation, involved getting myself out of the house as well. I had always been a firm believer in walking my dog every day so with that in mind, I tied his leash around my waist and started taking him on my morning runs. It was slow going at first, as he was not used to keeping up the pace and distance, and I was far from used to having him alongside with me. After only a few days I began to notice a clear difference in him, and in the days that followed his energy level continued to increase.
With the first step in increasing his fitness completed, I began to look for more ways to incorporate simple changes into my every day routine to ensure that he was more active. Every time I went outside, to walk to the mailbox, hang laundry on the line, or to do lawn maintenance, I ensured that he was alongside. I also started keeping toys in various locations around the house, for example if I was outside hanging laundry on the clothesline, I made a point to have a ball with me so I could play fetch with him while I completed the chore.

The most effective change that I made however was ensuring that my dog received more than enough socialization time with other dogs. I live in a small neighborhood, where the majority of people I know have dogs of their own, now when we get together for BBQ's and social gatherings, we make sure to bring our dogs along. This socialization has been a great way to increase the level of fitness for my dog, as well as the other dogs in my neighborhood. Nothing tires the group of them out like running around the backyard together, chasing a ball or playing tug-a-war with a stick. Not only is my dog back to his athletic self, he is so exhausted from a day of running around that he comes in and just wants to snuggle up on the couch with me.

Wordless Wednesday

Twink!

Some Things Never Change

Little Pedro, "El Diablo", is still convinced he is a Great Dane. My mom says he's a rat-cha (a fancy way to say, mutt, or  rat terrier and chihuahua mix), but I say that this particular rat-cha derives from the word cuba-RACHA (BOL) In any case, Pedro will never learn, and here's just a bit of proof:

He has no fear of those ginormous toothsies

He will throw himself in the middle of a large dog brawl without a second thought

(not sure he thinks much about anything)

As for the rest of us...

I'll let the Frankie the brindle Chiweenie to express how we feel:

Ay, Caramba! This rat will never learn!

Tsk, tsk...

Twink!

Remington Stole Our Hearts FUREVER...

Remington

2009-2013

A devout Vikings fan

A big one has left us! He was big in size and in character, big on sports, big hearted... A big loss for his family and the rest of us who learned to love him through his blog. Amazing how there were all these signs around his family today, the snow, the song, and my guess is that they'll keep on coming. Remi is a legend. The definition of a gentle giant. Recently, his family had an extremely tough decision to make...but they did, and by now they must know, that it was the only decision. We love them too much, so we must not be selfish. Lucky Remington never had to suffer any pain or fear! He is at peace now, so his family must figure out how to do the same. They did everything for him, as selflessly as imaginable, including his last travel on this earth. I have learned much from them and hope that when my turn comes, I will be as strong and loving as they are. I have always wondered about the definition of "a good parent" or, in this case, pawrent, and here is what I have come up with: it is he/she who loves their child/dog/pet unconditional and keeps questioning all decisions along the way, so that they can come up with the one that best suits that particular child/dog... always according to the circumstances. Remington had the best pawrents, that is for sure. 

In case you haven't stopped by yet, here is a link to the blog that documented Remington's life and adventures, its original name was Our Remington

So long, Golden Oaks Remington Steal [Our] Hearts... 

Peace...

Twinkie's M

Snow Day Fun and a Tiny Incident

My pack had too much fun in the snow... with the exception of a little mishap.

 All aboard!

 At first, everyone was on leash, and behaved.

 Well, almost behaved.

 But soon, all bets were off!

 Rescue mission!

Ziggy, our merlequin Great Dane, managed to slide off the bank. We weren't sure he could make it back because of his Wobbler Syndrome, which equals weakness. At first, he stood at the bottom looking all disoriented. Our humans were calling him, but the echo was confusing. He started to walk the opposite direction. Mom, with her unhealthy attachment to this dufus, was ready to dive off the edge, but instead she started to wave. Her boy finally saw her and somehow made it back up.

 He recovered quite fast

Our black queen, Sasha

Pedrito, posing by a guard rail.

 Thirsty 

Nobody was in any hurry to get head back home to me.

Well, did you seriously think I would agree to a trip to the snow? My tummy is practically hairless. Temperatures below 72 degrees Fahrenheit are not my thing.

Twink!