Living in the Puppy Mill Capital

Why do I talk so much about the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation so much here in my blog?

Well, I've said it before, but it bears repeating... it is with great shame and humiliation that I tell you I live in the puppy mill capital of the United States. Would you like to see how your state measures up? You might be shocked.

Not only do I live in Missouri, but I live in one of the counties with the greatest number of puppy mills. In my county, Laclede, the numbers are staggering. 57 in my county alone. That's many more than most states. Read some survivor stories and they'll break your heart.

My sister, Lucy, and I are from Virginia. Very few puppy mills there. But there are plenty of homeless animals! I was homeless. I just showed up on the front porch one evening at mama and daddy's. Loaded with worms, mange, puncture wounds and more. Whenever mama and daddy came near me I cried. I've never told the story of my homeless time, just trust me, it was bad!

Lucy was the result of the dog owner procrastination / laziness / ignorance (take your pick). Her mother Rosie was never spayed. And her father was never neutered. When Rosie's people decided to wean a litter at 4 weeks, mama and daddy stepped in. They rescued Lucy and found homes for two other puppies.

Jeffie is from Missouri, but not from a puppy mill. He and his two brothers were picked up with their mother as strays up near the lakes. That was no way to spend some puppy time; Jeffie has some personality quirks that are probably from being homeless.

But I'm getting off the subject, which is puppy mills. It seems like a week doesn't go by that the Missouri Humane Society doesn't do a puppy mill raid and rescue some poor hopeless souls. We support them, but also the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation. MAAL was founded in 1990. It's a not for profit lobbying groups that works for positive change in animal related legislation in Missouri. It's very important work and that's why you'll read about their events and activities here in my blog.

Woof! woof!
Tucker

Missouri Operation Bark Alert Phase II

Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Jon Hagler and Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster today announced phase two of Operation Bark Alert - a crackdown on unlicensed breeders in Missouri. Phase two of the program, "Prosecution Bark Alert," is being launched using the top law enforcement authority of Missouri to stop unlicensed and substandard dog breeders from operating in the state. Operation Bark Alert was initiated in February and has thus far located more than 200 unlicensed breeders across Missouri and rescued nearly 1900 dogs.

For the first time in Missouri, the Department of Agriculture and the Attorney General's Office have joined forces and publicly teamed up to take legal action against breeders who are not licensed. Missouri law requires dog breeders to become licensed with the Animal Care Facilities Act program at the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Since Operation Bark Alert was announced in February, Attorney General Koster's office has taken legal action against several unregistered breeders who were raided by the Department of Agriculture, rescue groups in Missouri and local law enforcement officials. They plan to file against irresponsible breeders and require they comply with the law or shut their doors.

Koster's office is also contacting breeders who may have let their licenses lapse to remind them they must be licensed with the state.

Read more about Operation Bark Alert.

MAAL Wine Tasting on July 27

Please join the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation for a Wine Tasting on July 27th and bring your pooch, too!

Great wine, food and a raffle will all be a part of a fun evening at Happy Hour, Inc in Independence, Missouri. Each guest receives their own wine glass, food and wine.
When: Monday, July 27, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Where: Happy Hour, Inc.19341 East US Highway 40Independence MO
Tickets: $25 per person in advance $30 per person at the door Order tickets online or call 314.361.3944.

PETS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND ON A LEASH. We will provide water bowls and canopy outside. Attendees are welcome to come and go inside and outside with their pets for this event.

Brookside Barkery and Bath will be onsite to demonstrate how to make your own dog food. Featuring all-natural, high protein dog foods and tools to keep your furry kids groomed and cool this summer.

Monies raised go to support the very important work of MAAL. Very important because, as you may all ready know, if there's a capital of puppy mills... it's Missouri.

Take Your Dog to Work Day - June 26

What a barking good holiday! I'm lucky because I go to work with my mama every day, but some pups are not so lucky. Of course, some places won't allow pets, but if your people work somewhere that does... I think you should try going to work with them for just this one day.

I'd say every day, but I've been to work with my daddy before and, to tell you the truth, it was pretty boring. When I went I was the only four legger and I'd just been to the vet. But to go when other humans brought their dogs... now that could be some fun!

Woof! woof!
Tucker

Here We Go Again!

Mother Nature is beginning to get to me. Just a little bit ago the mother ship passed over. That's what we call humongous black storm clouds that seem to fill the sky, but keep on truckin'. It's been day after day of wicked weather and my nerves are shot. So shot that even I barked at the FedEx man when he came a little bit ago! Usually it's the youngster, Jeffie, who goes into the vicious dog act.

Storms used to never bother me. In Virginia we had our share of hurricanes. Here in Missouri it seems to be awful lightening and tornadoes! I'm beginning to think, I'll take the hurricanes. Wow.

We've got a new routine this week. Rain in the mornings, punctuated by Mama going out to pick up storm damage from the day before. Storms begin rolling in with big thunder and light show after lunch. The winds howls. Eventually the tornado sirens wail. It comes, it goes. It ebbs, then the rains flow. This is day 4 and even Mama and Daddy get edgy! Not to mention Lucy who starts that anxiety panting. She's doing it now and I see that the sky is getting black. Here we go again!

I'll talk to you later when Mother Nature is done with her tantrom.

Woof! woof!
Tucker

New Black Dog Pearl Bracelets

New Black Dog Pearl Advocacy Bracelets!

Taking Action for Animals Conference July 24-27

Sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, this conference welcomes newcomers to animal protection movement, as well as experienced advocates. Taking Action for Animals will be held July 24-27 in Arlington, VA.

80 speakers, 4 tracks of workshops, vegan meals, and an exhibit hall full of experts. The HSUS says:

• Find out how to end the euthanasia of millions of pets in two special workshops: How to be more effective in promoting spay and neuter and The Shelter Pet Project - a 3 year national public service campaign to encourage adoption.
• Learn the most effective tactics for getting an elected official to listen to your views and then meet with your members of Congress during Lobby Day.
• Learn how to reduce the threat of swine flu and other emerging infectious diseases and prevent a pandemic.
• Meet Ginnifer Goodwin - animal advocate and star of the hit movie "He's Just Not That Into You."
• Enjoy comedian and author Carol Leifer and singer/songwriter Nellie McKay

Register before June 20 and save $25 on registration. Book your hotel room by July 2 to receive a special group rate at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City. For more information

Skunks!

We live in the country where there can be plenty of excitement: possums, raccoons, bunnies (lots of bunnies), bobcats, coyotes, ... you get the picture. At the same time, we're house dogs, all of us. So I'd have to say that skunks might be the most exciting. When they're around there's always the possibility that we'll want in and Mama will scream, slam the door in our faces and run to get her skunk remedy.

She keeps this stuff on hand at all times: a quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, baking soda (1/4 cup), and liquid soap (about 2 teaspoons). She mixes this stuff up with water and we get a bath pronto. She once tried the tomato juice remedy... it tasted good, but didn't do a thing for the smell. Anyway, Mama found the recipe on the web and a guy who's a chemist, Paul Krebaum, deserves the credit. In fact, he's got a web site with all the instructions. Mama says there should be a thousand blessings on his head for figuring out this formula - because it works!

From our point of view, none of us is all that crazy about getting a bath. But then, none of us is all that crazy about smelling like a skunk! In fact, we sort of hang our heads and feel stupid when we fall for that chase-a-skunk thing.

Last night we'd all gone to bed with the windows open. There was a lovely breeze and it was nice to listen to the birds sing and the coyotes yip. And then.... pee-yoo! Heavy duty SKUNK. I was glad I was all comfy and cozy in my bed and not outside!

My advice is to stay away from those black and white critters - they'll get you every time. But if you can't resist, be sure your person has this recipe!

Woof! woof!

Tucker

June is Adopt a Cat Month

I almost forgot that June is Adopt a Cat month (and Adopt a Shelter Cat month). It probably has something to do with how I feel about cats! Lucy loves cats and she reminded me. Our cat, Skeeter, is too stuck up to talk to me much. I'm not all that crazy about her either. First day she was here she swiped my nose a good one. I know I was really giving her a once over with my sniffer, but how else was I to know where she had been?

Anyway, even though Skeeter and I are not close, I did adore Petey. Technically he was a cat, but I'd swear he was part dog. Since my older brother was sick and hated my guts, Petey taught me all I needed to know about playing. I still miss him.

Certainly all cats are not the same... so there's bound to be one perfect for you at your local shelter or rescue group. Visit today or browse PetFinder. Just can't adopt one now, then do like we do and donate some kitty litter or food!

Woof! woof!
Tucker

Missouri Dog Events

It's another rainy day here. Jeffie is watching bunnies munching grass. I admit, sometimes he gets me excited about them, too. But, really, bunnies have to eat, right? Mostly I'm taking little naps and thinking about things to come when the sun shines again.

There are some fun things coming up for dog lovers here in Missouri. I thought I'd let you know about them before my eyelids get heavy again.

June 13 (that's a Saturday) there's a Bark in The Park in Springfield from 8 am until noon at Sequiota Park (3500 S Lone Pine)

June 14 (that's a Sunday) there's a Dog N Jog in Kansas City from 6:30 am until 10:30 am at the Country Club Plaza

Well, my tummy is full... the rain has a certain rhythum, and my eyelids are soooooo heavy....

Woof! woof!
Tucker

For All You Horse Lovers...

Fabulous clasp on the carved bone and dragonskin turquoise extra long necklace. And talk about chunky! How about this awesome jade and jasper necklace with the carved serpentine jade horse head! Wow! I don't know any cowgirl or horse lover who wouldn't just love these. Check them out.

Coyotes and Possums and Skunks... Oh my!

Well, it's only 11 am and I've already had quite a day. First I spotted a coyote right in our back pasture! Only one, so I don't know if it's one of a pair that have been coming around and running rabbits... or a new one. They must all live nearby because we see them a lot and we sure do hear them at night. Their yipping and yowling makes it hard to go to sleep!

Then, would you believe Jeffie spotted a possum right outside the yard fence! I sure don't know where it was going. I thought they only came out at night, but here it was. Of course, we all ran out to bark and to tell you the truth, I felt kinda sorry for the poor possum who scrambled out of site.

The possum must have startled the resident skunk who let out a whiff of perfume. Peuw! It's beyond me why this skunk has decided to live on our pond bank. There's too much going on here with all the wild life! She took up residence just last weekend and Daddy's been waiting for all the rain to let up... to get rid of the skunk.

To top it all off... we managed to scare away the great heron who'd come in to try for some froggies for breakfast.

What a day. I'm exhausted already. Time for a nap!
xoxo,
Tucker