EverythingDogBlog: Three Things to do for Dogs NOW!

1. Remember to order your golden retriever calendar, The Sashettes of 2013, and help raise funds for canine cancer. The Sashettes are a litter of 11 golden retrievers born in 2003 who star in their own calendar each year. Become a ‘Sashette groupie’ like me (I have the entire set of calendars) by sending a check for $20.00 (plus $5 P&H) to Carol Taylor, 115 Riparian Drive, Dardenne Prairie, MO 63368 or by pre-ordering via PayPal at beadsnglitz@gmail.com (add $2.00 for PayPal charges to the cost of the calendar plus P&H). Deadline is Halloween.

For a sneak preview of this collectible 2013 Sashette calendar, click on http://lazyriver.smugmug.com/SashetteCalendars/Sashette-Calendar-2013/2 .

See EverythingDogBlog of October 8 for more information: http://columbia.patch.com/blog_posts/everything-dog-blog-this-calendar-just-may-help-cure-canine-cancer

2. This is the last weekend to help BARCS (the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter) win the Rachel Ray/APSCA Shelter Challenge for $100,000.

Animal adoption fees are waived through the end of the month (that’s through next Wednesday).

See EverythingDogBlog for 16 October for more information and for BARCS’ phone number, hours, website and address (and to see adorable pit bulls Stella and Jethro adopted from BARCS by Chi Omega alums!): http://columbia.patch.com/blog_posts/everythingdogblog-rachel-ray-and-the-aspca-give-barcs-a-chance.

PS – Support the ASPCA (especially if you like orange!) by visiting their online store and take advantage of the 20% OFF sale! (October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month - http://www.aspcaonlinestore.com/)

3. Celebrate National Pit Bull Awareness this weekend!

“Bless the Bullies”    “My Pit Bull is Family”    “Pit Bulls Deserve Their Day in the Sun”

National Pit Bull Awareness events will be held across the nation (including Baltimore) and in Canada this weekend, but not in Denver, where three dog breeds commonly known as pit bulls have been banned since 1989 (http://www.examiner.com/article/pit-bull-awareness-day-will-feature-silent-tribute-to-dogs-killed-denver). Denver has euthanized more than 6000 of these dogs as a result and for no reason other than how they look.

Such Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) and is out-and-out discrimination based on a dog’s genes and appearance.

Don’t forget that the winner of the Best in Show at Westminster (and on TV) in 2005 was (colored) bull terrier Rufus (bull terriers are often one of the 5 or 6 breeds lumped together as pit bulls).

This weekend, meet Rocco the therapy dog (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rocco-The-Therapy-Pit-Bull/134101593334562?fref=ts).

Meet Snorkle, a canine blood donor, Rally champion, and agility dog (see photos by DMatteson) who hails from Ellicott City.

Meet Ruby-doo (see photo by PHouliaras), sports fan extraordinaire who helps BARCS, too (https://www.facebook.com/RubyPitBull)!

Saturday, help celebrate Community Pit Bull Day by joining in on the fun at Armistead Gardens Elementary School (5001 E Eager St, Baltimore [northeast]) starting at noon – free and low-cost vaccines and spay/neuter signup, leash and collar exchange for pits and pit mixes, ask-the-trainer, dog safety information for children and legal resource information for concerned residents.

On Sunday, have more fun with great pit bulls at Pit Bulls on Parade at Rash Field, the Inner Harbor, starting at 11 am. For more information: b_moredog@yahoo.com or www.bmoredog.org (e.g., for videos of agility pitties in action).

After all, Pit Bulls are Family, Too!