UK charities rely solely on the generosity of the British public to enable them to do their work. The RSPCA, for instance, receives no government funding but thanks to donations from the public they can rescue, heal and care for many, many animals.
People donate to the RSPCA in a number of different ways. Some give £2.00 a month or more by direct debit, which allows the RSPCA to plan future spending commitments. Other people donate generously at fundraising events or following a televised appeal for help. A number of people...
Monday, November 25, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Wicklow Pound petition
I've been always reading the update from "Chance" facebook webpage during the last few months.
What I understood is that the dogs in Wicklow Pound have a very difficult life and high rates to be put to sleep. In 2010 the rate of dogs killed was 44%.
The association was formed in 2012 by volunteers that wanted to enter the pound to take photos of the dogs and create a profile to help rehoming them.
They have been denied it and can...
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Another dog lost!
Again I found a dog lost!
People start making fun of me, telling I am stealing dogs or I have a magnet that attracts dog lost.
To be honest I see that in those situation I am the only one "doing something".
The first time I found a dog, the wee small was crossing the road at a traffic light in a dangerous situation and was shaking scared. People watching and laughing. I stopped the car and took her and after 24 hours he has been reunited...
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Working from home - knee injury
It's long time that I am not writing on the blog.. but unfortunately I had a knee injury, so crutches and no new walks for us :( :(
But I am working from home and I want to introduce you my new work colleagues
...
Monday, September 23, 2013
Dog walks: enniskerry - woodland walk
Maybe is the best walk of the last few months!
I went there with two friends and three dogs on a saturday morning.
On the M50 it took us less than 30 minutes to get there.
There are many walks in Enniskerry and we did the Woodland Walk.
Some problems to find a parking space, as we were not familiar with the area, we parked in the town, but we discovered after that there is a parking space at the entrance of the walk.
It is a beautiful...
Friday, September 20, 2013
dog training: sit
***Please note that I am NOT a dog trainer, so I am just sharing my experience with my own dogs..
I may be doing wrong things and I am open to suggestions :) ***
Let's start the training series with a basic command: SIT
With Jago has been very easy to teach him sit, but maybe not for all the dogs is so easy.
First thing to remember is that the dog should have fun during the training and should be able to concentrate.
So...
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Dog walks: Bull Island
Another beautiful place for a nice walk near Dublin is Bull Island, just 4 miles from the city center.
The sandy beach is called Dollymount Strand and it's long approx 5 km!!!
The island is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere reserve and is also classified as a Wetland of International importance under the Ramsar Convention.
The island is connected to the mainland by the Bull Bridge at the southern (Clontarf/Dollymount) end, and...
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Walk for Greyhounds
Saturday 21st September in Merrion Square there will be the 3d walk for Greyhound.
It is a walks organized to promote greyounds as pets and raise awareness of greyhound welfare issues.
The meeting is at 12 in Merrion Square Park and the walk will begin at 1.15 and will take 1 and half hours.
More information on the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/grai.ie
I will go with Jago and Buddy!!
...
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Dog walks: Portmarnock beach
Another beach where we started to go often is Portmarnock beach.
Portmarnock is on the coast between Malahide and Baldoyle, approx 15 km from Dublin city centre.
There is a big public car park and the town is served by the No. 32B and No. 42 bus service from Dublin City Centre, with a bus stop right at the beach!
The beach is very big as you can see on the map so if it's a sunny day and there are too many people it's not difficult...
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Photo competition with prize!
The first photo contest is Live now on the facebook page!
I have decided to run this photo contest to give you the opportunity to share your dog's photos and to win a small prize that I will buy from a dog charity.
If the contest will be successful I will run the contest regularly so we can give a small help to other charities / rescues!
You will find all the info here:
http://www.facebook.com/adogpaw
"1st A dog's Paw Photo Contest...
Monday, September 9, 2013
is it possible to train two dogs together?
***Please note that I am NOT a dog trainer, so I am just sharing my experience with my own dogs..
I may be doing wrong things and I am open to suggestions :) ***
Well I am trying, just for fun :D
I've read that is not possible because they are too distracted or for other reasons.
I am not really trying to train them, but yesterday when they started to be bored / too much tennisball obsessed I started with Sit - Down command and it works really good!
Now, Buddy doesn't give paw and I saw he doesn't like to be touched...
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Puppy classes - video :)
I found this "old" video today of Jago puppy classes last January.
They were all less than 5 months old and this was the play and recall training
...
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Fostering experience - Buddy - day 2
The fostering experience is continuing and still great!
Yesterday evening Buddy was tired after playing for hours with a 4 years old girl!
He is so gentle!
Today we went to Bark in the Park, a walk in aid for the Irish Blue Cross.
Buddy had the chance to meet many other dogs, big and small, crazy and quiet, and he never had any problem! He didn't mind the confusion, all the people there, the kids approaching and he enjoyed the walk!
The...
Friday, September 6, 2013
Fostering experience - Buddy - day 1!
Everything is happening quickly these days.
Two days ago I found a dog and in 12 hours I found the owner thanks to the facebook page Lors Lost dogs.
In the afternoon I saw on Dog in Distress webpage that there were few dogs in the pound that would need urgent fostering.
I applied months ago for fostering, but I never had the real chance to take a dog.
So I called and yesterday Buddy came at home with me!
He is an 8 years old border...
Petition: Wicklow County Council and the ISPCA
I am sharing this petition found online because I heard that the situation in Wicklow Pound is a bit difficult.
All dogs entering the pound should be photograhed and given the opportunity to be reunited with their owners, rehomed or offered rescue help. Currently only dogs deemed fit for rehoming by the wardens are allowed to be photographed and dogs are regularly withheld from volunteer’s sight at Wicklow Pound. There should be no hidden dogs.
Stray and surrender information is information in the public domain and can...
Thursday, September 5, 2013
What to do if you find a lost dog?
For the second time I found a dog in Dublin and I found the owner as well, so I am becoming expert?
:)
Please feel free to add in the comments if you know more resources or if you have any tip or experience to share.
So what to do if you find a dog?
First of all thanks for trying to help him!
- Usually I walk in the area and I try to ask people if they recognize him or can give me some information.
- Keep the dog safe at home and don't...
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Fostering dogs - today experience
I have fostered a dog before and it has been a very nice experience.
She was a 6 months old golden retriever and Jago was 6 months as well.
Quite frantic weeks with two puppies but I could learn a lot and I am glad I helped her to find her new home!
I will write about her soon :)
Today I knew that a female german sheperd has been found alone, but unfortunately the owner could not keep her.
She is in the restricted breed list, so she would have short life in the pound as far as I know.
I went with Jago to meet her.
Unfortunately...
Monday, September 2, 2013
Bark in the Park - phoenix park - saturday 7th september
Next Saturday there will be the 4th and last Bark in the Park 2013.
Bark in the Park is a sponsored dog walk to raise funds in aid of the work of The Irish Blue Cross animal welfare charity.
There will be a walk (dog on leash) and a raffle, music, goody bags (sponsored by Maxi Zoo)
and prizes for the dog with the Best Bark, Shiniest Coat, Happiest
Smile and Waggiest Tail.
I have been at the 1st Bark in the Park in St....
Jago being bad :)
The daycare where I leave Jago send always a lot of photos.I thought that this one was funny!
Jago looking at the other dog with his tongue out like saying "prrrr" and the other dog face so sad!
I am not the best in writing caption for photos but here an experiment :P
...
Sunday, September 1, 2013
National chipping month + competition!!!
I wrote few days ago an article about the compulsory microchipping in Ireland.
September is the Ireland's National chipping month
That means that there will be initiatives all around the country and there will be more opportunities to have your dog microchipped at reduced price or free of charge!
There are many sponsors and associations involved and you can find updated information here:
http://www.ncm.ie/ and here on the...
Friday, August 30, 2013
Another dog friendly pub in Dublin
Another place to add to the list of dog friendly pubs
Tonight I've been in Schoolhouse pub / hotel in Ballsbridge Dublin 4 for the leaving party of a friend.
I brought Jago as I knew they have a big outdoor space.
There are tables and chairs and nobody was complaining that I was there with Jago.
So another dog friendly pub found! Finally in Dublin city!
He even met a dog, off leash, I suppose coming from the houses in the nearby...
Back from work..
Coming back from work one day Jago didn't run to say hello...
I realized something was wrong.......
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Here he is!!!! Busy destroying the new blanket!!
Me:...
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
doggie day care
Since I got Jago my concern was: will he be bored at home?
I live in a house with a garden, medium size garden.
I work not far from my house, 10 minutes by car.
I adopted Jago when he was a tiny 10 weeks old puppy.
I know that many people are against adopting a puppy if you work full time, but the owner couldn't find a home for the 8 puppies and he was ready to bring them to the pound.
So I took some days off and on a Friday I brought...
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Training: recall!
***Please note that I am NOT a dog trainer, so I am just sharing my experience with my own dogs..
I may be doing wrong things and I am open to suggestions :) ***
Well, we all know that one of the most important things is to be able to control our dogs.
And especially... to make them come back when called!
I thought it was kind of impossible... I've never been able!
So with Jago I started early.
I got Jago when he was 10 weeks old, a scared tiny puppy.
Since his 1st walk outside I started the recall training.
I was bringing...
Monday, August 26, 2013
Dog walks: Tolka valley park
I found that there are so many dog walks near Dublin!
Enjoying the nice Irish summer I brought my dog to many different places in the last couple of months.
Tolka valley park is one of them.
It has been quite difficult to find where it was and where to park my car!
Actually I parked at the Blanchardstown shopping center and I had to walk toward the N3/M50 entrance to find the gate for Tolka Valley Park.
I am sure there will be other accesses...
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Dog neutering, Jago experience
I have read so many discussions about if it's right or not to neuter a dog.
I spoke with many people and friends.
Obviously the first reaction is: NO!
It's against the nature, poor dog,we cannot choose for them and so on.
Then I start thinking how many abandoned animals live out there.
How many are put to sleep, just because nobody want them.
We didn't neuter our first dog.
I don't know exactly why, we were new to dogs and maybe we didn't...
Dog walks: Ticknock wood
We are part of Dublin dog meetup group.
Every saturday we go to a different place and that allows me to discover new dog walks!
Ticknock forest is on the Dublin mountains, 30 minutes far from the city centre.
We met on a Sunday morning at the car park with the other doggies at 12.
The 3 crazy dogs of the group started running and playing, it is safe to leave them off lead and we didn't have problems with the people we met.
The...
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Canine First Responder certification - Dublin
I am seriously thinking to attend this course (or another similar).
It looks very interesting to be able to be prepared in front of emergency.
This is a certified course that is not far away from me, but I am sure there will be others.
The
Canine First Response (CFR) is a worldwide certification agency for
First Aid and CPR. This course is the only one approved by Canine First
Response.
The course covers the following and more: Effective use of barriers such as gloves and face shields Safe scene assessment Primary Assessment...
Friday, August 23, 2013
Compulsory microchipping in Ireland
I just read that it will be compulsory in Ireland to microchip your dog.
I had Jago microchipped few months ago and I believe that it's very important!
It's not an expensive procedure and not painful for the dog.
Unfortunately many dogs are microchipped but not registered to the actual owner.
Just beware that many vet will not register the dog to your name, so you must do it usually online.
And also remember to change online your contact...
