Millennium Dog turns 14!

A big happy birthday shout out to Hobie, who turns 14 today!

Hobie is the inspiration for this blog, and my web site Millennium Dog Productions.  Of course, I found out there is a park called Millennium Dog Park in Florida, and there's a video game called Millennium Dog.  But we've had the name for 14 years now, so I think we were first.

Some folks have remarked that it is amazing how lucky we are to have Hobie at 14 years of age.  And, we are, of course, but we've also had a remarkable track record of pets who've grown old with us.

Here's the list:  (and some pictures below*)

Beagle, Samantha ("Sam"),16

Labrador Retriever, Timba, 18
Gray tabby cat, Filkin, 17
Orange tabby cat, Maggie, 20
Black cat, Mr. Kitty, 19
Border Collie Mix, Annie, 15
Orange tabby cat, Pointy, unknown, but old!!!
Hound extraordinaire, Hector, 10
(with the exception of Sam, and Annie, each of whom were in the custody of relatives at the time, and THEY made the decision to euthanize, we have never had to euthanize any of our pets!  They all died of natural causes!)

If anyone ever asked what's our secret, I would have to say that we provide a safe, loving home and we are fortunate enough to be able to afford high-quality food and the best in veterinary care.  I never really thought about it, though, to be honest.  We just love them and keep them safe and happy.  We don't give a lot of treats, no table scraps, and a good amount of exercise.

It's hard to see them grow old.  Hobie was once the vibrant, trouble-making, hot-shot male who would take off at a moment's notice and run the entire neighborhood.  He never went far, thank goodness.  He would hold his tail high and prance around like he was the king!  He needed at least 2 hours of exercise (long walks) every day or he would be bouncing off the walls.  He could jump all four feet off the floor and look me straight in the eye (I'm about 5-feet tall).  He did "small dog tricks" such as "sit pretty". His fur is the softest I've ever felt.  People always remark on how soft he is when they ask if they can touch him.  "oooooh, he's so soft!"  All that jumping and carrying on probably contributed to his very bad arthritis.  But Timba had arthritis, too, and she trudged forward until age 18.

2013 was rough for Hobie.  He was in the hospital twice, and we really thought we were going to lose him.  Thankfully, the vets were awesome and he pulled through and is as feisty as ever.  He even reminds me when it's time for his pain medication every 12 hours.  Never underestimate the ability of a companion pet to tell time!

So, happy 14th birthday to our Millennium Dog!

Filkin at LVF

Timba in Truro

Filkin

Pointy

Maggie May

Mr. Kitty 

Hobie and Hector

Timba

Sam

Ireland is lovely, but where are the dogs?

I'm back from ten days in Ireland and England, and very happy to be home.  I missed my dogs and cats so much.

Charlie watching me eat on my first night home

Cali happy to have me back, basking in the morning sun

Ireland is lovely.  No, it's more than lovely, it's out-and-out gorgeous, stunning and breathtaking.  The people are friendly, fun-loving, kind and attractive.  But where are all the dogs?

We took a day trip through the countryside to the farming community of Armagh, and I looked and looked and looked, and didn't see one dog.  We even visited friends way, way out in the country.  For sure we'd see a dog, right?  At one point, someone said two dogs were cutting through the yard.  I leapt out of my chair, but they disappeared behind a hedgerow before I could see them.  I felt like a lost soul asking, "Did you say there were two dogs?  Where?!"  I'm sure these people thought I was nuts.

There were plenty of sheep, but where's the iconic, stereotypical collie that might be herding them?  Absent.

Sheep in a field in the Irish countryside, on our way to Northern Ireland

We all know the story of poor Lennox and his family from Belfast -- they were ordered to give up Lennox because of his resemblance to a bully breed.  The story went worldwide, and millions of people were up in arms about Lennox, signing petitions and so forth.  Ok, they were from Belfast, since we were going to Belfast the next day, I figured for sure...  Again, no dogs.

One of the famous political murals in Belfast, depicting "The Troubles"

Well, I stand corrected, we saw three dogs in Ulster when we stopped at the American Folk Museum on our way back from Belfast. The people who had a border collie attached to the baby stroller must have thought me insane as I kept smiling and gawking at the lovely creature, trying to take a picture of it (I gave up and didn't even ask).  The man with the Golden Retriever service dog must have been equally skeeved at my behavior towards his faithful companion as I grinned from ear-to-ear but did not approach since he was a service animal.  The little gray dog that I saw immediately upon disembarking from the bus couldn't wait to hop into his owner's car to gain a safe distance from the smiling American lady.  I couldn't help myself, it had been days since I'd seen a live canine!  We saw sheep, we saw burros, but only those three dogs.

Burros in Ulster

England wasn't much different, although I have been there umpteen times, and spent most of my time in the city, I know for a fact that dogs are not absent from England... but they were this time.  Perhaps it was all that rain.  After all, the Queen herself is often seen with her beautiful corgis in tow.

Sheep in Stonehenge (and traffic)

I know the complete opposite is going to happen on my next trip, which will take me to Puerto Rico. I'm prepared for it to be quite like Tobago, with too many stray, un-neutered dogs running loose. Perhaps I will be pleasantly surprised.  Stay tuned.

Stray dog in Tobago

It's a family affair #christmaseve

My parents were the coolest people on the planet.  They would let me stay up until midnight on Christmas Eve, and I was allowed to open one of the many presents they always showered me with (my choice of any gift already under the tree).  For some strange reason, a memorable Christmas Eve that stands out in my mind was when I chose to open what I knew was a 45 R.P.M. record.  I didn't know which one it would be of the many I'd requested on my lengthy Santa Claus list.  I've collected recordings ever since I can remember.  My LP and 45 collection; my CD collection and the number of downloads on my various electronic devices rival one another for sheer enormity.  I love music.  No, more accurately, I am obsessed.  I get "addicted" and will often play the same songs or albums repeatedly for months at a time.

Me and my first dog, Sam.
I was about 11 y/o.
This certainly, was not at Christmas (bare feet in Massachusetts!)

Back in '71, I was eleven years old.  [Please don't do the math!  Thanks.]  I was hopelessly addicted to the song, "Family Affair" by Sly and the Family Stone.   If you don't know it, here, have a listen.  Just before midnight,  I opened the "45" record.  It was "Family Affair"!! I must have played it 5 times that night, on my parents' Magnavox stereo console (which I own today... it's in my basement).  I remember my mom remarking about the lyrics and vocals -- she hadn't heard the song before.  My dad, ever the music aficionado DID know the song, and grooved to it along with me.  I even played air guitar before it was called "air guitar".  Why this memory is so vivid, I do not know.  It was just a normal, everyday moment in the life of our little family.

Today, I got three wonderful Christmas Eve gifts.  All six of my beloved critters gathered in my kitchen simultaneously.  Granted, it was feeding time, but they never, ever all show up at once.  It's usually all three dogs (sometimes just two) and one cat at a time.  I took pictures, but they didn't come out great. They're just for me to look at when I start getting separation anxiety when I'm traveling later this week (didja know, grown up people can get that too? Yep... Check it out).

The second gift I got today was a handwritten letter, in the mail, from my father's Army buddy, "Bud" Rosen.  Those paying close attention might recall that I dedicated Volume 2 of MTAITW to Bud. Well, I had lost contact with him over the last several months.  He's 91, so I was a little worried when communications stopped a few months ago. I finally tracked him down by emailing his daughter -- he had moved to a new apartment, no longer has internet or email.  I sent him a card and a note in the regular mail, and said if you feel like writing back, please do.  I sorta thought maybe I wouldn't hear from him.   But all is well, and it was wonderful to hear from him on everything going on in his life. So, we've reverted to the old way of letter-writing through the good ol' U.S. mail.  (I like to think my father somehow arranged that!)

An earlier Christmas

The third gift was another snail mail item -- this time a Christmas card from "my second mom", Stella. She's my childhood friend's mother, and we grew up next door.  Our moms lived next door to each other for several decades.  Both houses were sold in 2010 within a few months of each other.  New, young families have taken over our corner.  It was just a quick note from Stella, but I always love hearing from her -- she is my kindred spirit in many ways, we have a lot of inside jokes and even though we aren't blood relations, I consider them just as much family as anyone else.

So, remember, no matter what kind of family you have, it's a family affair.

If you want to read a tale about another very special Christmas Eve from my childhood, click here.

The winner is...

I'm not a slacker, just busy!  I directly informed the winner of the Diamond Naturals Gift Basket Giveaway* that they had won, and I announced it on Facebook and Twitter, but I believe I forgot to post an update here on the blog itself.

Congratulations and happy holidays to Jozi the Corgi and the Pussycats!  I sincerely hope you'll enjoy the gift basket and can only imagine that it's filled with great stuff to keep you entertained for a while. Diamond Naturals is still preparing the baskets for shipment, so hold on tight, it is on its way!  That is, unless you've received it already!

Readers can follow Jozi and the pussycats' Twitter account here (and should!).  Here's a link to some very cute photos of Jozi, and I hope they don't mind but I'm borrowing my personal favorite

Not to be overshadowed are those awesome pussycats, Maddy and Sophie

Maddy

Sophie

*Original post, and giveaway, sponsored by Diamond Natural Pet Foods.

Meet the Bloggers Getting to Know You Blog Hop

Ok, I'm a day late (and a dollar short ha hahahah) because yesterday was NUTS, but I was told this event is going on through Christmas Day, so here goes:  I'm taking part in the Meet The Bloggers Blog Hop.  As such, I'm going to tell five things about myself that folks may or may not know (hopefully the latter, since how boring would it be if I told everyone stuff they already know?!).  They also want us to "come out from behind" the (camera, keyboard, computer), so you'll get a photo or two of yours truly to round out the equation.
Now, really, here goes!

Christmas, 2012 at Wiley Park

What’s your favorite non-animal related movie?  

Everyone knows this (look! I have failed already!):  Frank Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life" is my favorite movie in the whole world.  I can't wait to watch it this weekend.  I cry every time I see it, and I've seen it hundreds of times.  Maybe thousands.  I can recite the entire script along with the movie -- like one would sing along with a song!

What’s your favorite non-animal related book?  

My "pillar of the Earth", Nauset Lighthouse

"The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett" -- just thinking about this brilliant historical novel gives me a little thrill!

One of my favorite pictures of me!

Who’s your favorite actor?

I haven't got one.  I guess maybe it would be James Stewart, but he's long since gone.  The old Hollywood actors are untouchable.  None of "today's" actors compare (in my opinion).  Now, if you had asked about SINGERS!!  [Tori Amos, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Chuck Negron]

What’s one thing you have to do every day?

Coffee!

What do you wish you were more skilled at?

This one's easy:  construction, renovations, repairs, art and playing an instrument.  I always have to hire someone to do work around the house, and I wish I could just take out a board and some tools and do it myself.  I can "dabble" at the piano or organ, but can't play for real.  I can't draw anything!

Me, 1963

What one word would people who know you use to describe you?

Funny!

How is your pet most like you?

Separation anxiety.  Or just plain... anxiety!

Other than blogging, what are three things you do that bring you joy?

Well, I'm not certain blogging brings me joy, but anyway... these three things sure do (and these are "things", not people):  The beaches of Cape Cod; reading on Cape Cod; riding my bike on the Cape Cod Rail Trail.  

Here's me, doing two out of the three joyful things.
The beach is down the street.
(Can't read while riding a bike!)

So, I answered 7 questions.  

This blog hop is hosted by these wonderful folks who blog: (copied and pasted from one of their blogs. Hope you don't mind, and thanks!)

• Amy - Go Pet Friendly ,A.J. – I Still Want More Puppies ,Jodi - Kol’s Notes,
• Mel - No Dog About It  ,Julie - The Daily Dog Blog ,Jennifer - My Brown Newfies
• Kim - Cindy Lu’s Muse ,Lauren -Life With Desmond ,Leslie - Bringing Up Bella
• Jodi - Heart Like a Dog ,Kristine - Rescued Insanity ,Peggy - Peggy’s Pet Place
• Dawn - NEPA Pets

It's a pile of dog books!

Here is a photo of my pile of unread books, 2014 calendars, and my journals where I wrote the yet-to-be-published "Hector's Story" and other stories.  The pile sits, ready to be brought on my two upcoming trips, in the hope that I'll get some reading AND writing done.  (Both trips are work assignments, so it's highly unlikely I'll get any of this done, but there are some long airplane rides so who knows?)

This morning, I had two emails from the wonderful W. Bruce Cameron.  I read his book, "A Dog's Purpose"  exactly one year before Hector's sudden death.  Bruce's amazing story helped me cope with the loss of Hector, and also helped me adopt two puppies not long after Hector's passing.  If you haven't read the book, it's about a dog who gets repeatedly reincarnated.  I always think I had to adopt Cooper seven months after getting his litter mate Charlie Brown because Hector's personality was so huge, so much larger than life, that his reincarnation required two dogs just to carry the love, and Cooper was accidentally adopted by the wrong family at first.  He had to find his way to us (or back to us, if you believe that reincarnation stuff!).  At least, I like to think so, hey, it makes me feel better, what can I say?

Back to today's emails:  one was a reminder that if you bought Cameron's new book, "The Dogs of Christmas" you could get a handy-dandy special gift if you post a photo of the book online no later than today ("works well under pressure", that is me).  So I figured what the heck, let's do it .  I went to pull the tome from my pile of unread books, and lo... there are TWO copies of "The Dogs of Christmas". How and why the heck did I do that?!  I have no idea.  So anyway, here is my photo and I'm going to submit it on Cameron's web site and see what little Christmas gift I can snag for myself.   Yeah, I'm a little bit Grinch-y, ok?

The remaining seven books in the pile can't really be seen in this picture (except for Cesar Millan's latest, which I still haven't read 5 months after getting it at his show).  They are ALL dog-related, except for two!  Oh dear, my obsession has been revealed, as if my readers didn't know already. Included are two autographed copies (what?!  Two?!) of Chuck Negron's memoir, "Three Dog Nightmare", which arguably isn't about dogs, but hey, close enough.   Those are NOT being taken on the trip.

Cesar Millan and me just 2 months
after Hector died.  Cesar autographed my journal
in which I wrote the Hector Story.

Cesar Millan, Junior, me, my friend
Lori (and her little one Nicolas lol!)

  

Me and Chuck Negron!
A teenage girl's dream come true!

P.S.  See that Tripawds 2014 calendar?  Cooper is one of the featured three-legged stars!!  He's the one in the chair... the other guy depicted on the same calendar page is a sort of look-alike tripawd named Clover.  Very clever of the folks over at Tripawds, eh?

It's snowtime, folks!

Givin' a big ol' raspberry to snow!!

Charlie Brown says, "Open up that door, and lemme in!"

Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You

Hey, when I was in kindergarten, we performed The King and I and I've never forgotten any of the songs -- no kidding, from like 5 years old!

So anyway, on December 18th, many of us in the pet-blogging community are taking an aside from pet-focused blogging and telling a little bit about ourselves.  It's called the Meet The Bloggers Hop, and I'm going to join in with dozens of other bloggers to tell little tidbits about the various wizards behind these bloggy curtains!

Tune in on December 18th, right here on k2's k9s and kitties.

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Coming soon! Original essays from k2k9.com

The last six or eight weeks have been so busy, I've barely had time to breathe.  I decided to move my domains k2k9.com and millenniumdog.com to this blog to consolidate in one place (and I had issues with complicated hosting options through the company that hosts my domains).

So anyway, as a result all my stories about my pets (both living and dead) Timba, Hobie, Hector, Fritz, Sam, Filkin, Maggie and Mr. Kitty no longer appear online.  Not to worry, they are on my computers and backup drives for safekeeping!  And soon, very soon, I'll self-publish them in print and e-book format.  I should point out that the aforementioned pets are just the ones I had written about on k2k9.com --  I haven't yet written the stories about Charlie Brown, Cooper, Tux, Newman and Cali; nor the long-ago pet companions Chi-Chi, Nigel, Slippers, Annie and Connie's cats that we fostered at the Farm back in the '90s!  So many pets I have shared my life with, how fortunate!

These essays will eventually appear here on this blog on the main menu -- I haven't quite figured out that step yet.  Stay tuned!!

For now, an update on Hobie:  he was in the hospital again this week.  His back legs had given out on him suddenly and we got him standing up again, but then he would not lie down.  After a sleepless night for all of us in the household, we brought him to emergency and even though it was pricey, he was taken great care of and restored to fully-functioning dog -- complete with the joys of an elderly god on steroids!  Just in time for the first snow, which he handled like a champ.  No price is too high to save our beloved Hobie's life.  Dog willing, he will be 14 next month.  He's our Millennium Dog.  (Here's a video from a few years ago lol)

#WordlessWednesday #Thanksgiving

On this Thanksgiving Eve, I am thankful that my elderly dog forgives me!!  He was left out in the rain by mistake last night by dumb mama (um... that'd be me [hangs head in total shame]).  

My attempt at a "shaming" picture.

Here's what happened: I turned my back for a second, and left the slider open for the two younger dogs. They came right back in after "doing their business" in the rain. Unbeknownst to me, while I had my attention elsewhere, Hobie went out!  I shut the door and went back to bed.

Our ever-resourceful dog decided, after (yes) opening the gate (the gate that I need TWO HANDS to open and close, mind you), that maybe barking like a mad dog from the next door neighbor's yard, in the DARK, just might get my attention.  It worked.  Thank goodness I recognize his voice!  I had no idea he was outside!  I thought he was sound asleep in the other room!

To my credit, I ran outside barefoot, sans coat, at dawn, in the middle of a storm, in November, in New England, on an almost holiday, and found him sort of disoriented at the back fence, on the neighbor's side.   He had exited from the front fence where the gate remained, wide open.  I don't know why he couldn't find his way back, and that really bothers me.  I sure learned my lesson, from now on I do a head count no matter what!

Anything for my beloved dawg.

Hobie:  "WTF, mom?!"

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

#WordlessWednesday Cooper & Charlie Brown reunite with their mama & sis

Cooper kept hogging the ball

Can't tell these guys & gals apart!  This isn't Charlie, it's his sister, Tess!

Mama Katie taking it all in.

"Gosh, did I really give birth to those two idiots?"

Charlie doesn't know what to make of Rico Suave, our foster mom's latest cutie.

On the way home, Cooper says, "Can we do it again next year?"

That's 14, in dog years! #puppybirthdayreunion #veteransday

What a day!  First off, it's Veterans Day, and everyone knows I'm just a little bit proud and grateful of the various Mueller family members who served our great country, especially the Greatest Generation guys like my dad.   To those serving right now-- Thank you for your service!  Here's a nice little collage my colleague and friend, Pat, made today on our company Facebook page, cool, huh? (That's my handsome father, Sgt. Mueller, in the lead photo.)

Next, DoggyWoof published my November blog post right on schedule (my posts on DW blog are always published on the 11th of each month, in case anyone would like to mark a calendar!)

The big day finally got here:  Charlie Brown and Cooper's second birthday [that's 14 in dog years!] and their reunion birthday party on the beach in Gloucester, Mass. -- home of the Gorton's Fisherman.

Now, I have been anticipating and planning (read = worrying) about this day for MONTHS.  Ok, probably for a whole year, even though last year's event went off without a hitch and was wonderful. That's me, worry for an entire year... for what reason, exactly?  Things again went swimmingly, as I should have know they would, and this has me now vowing to break out of my funk and get Charlie to social situations with other dogs more often.  This is ridiculous living in fear all the time and for what? Yesterday, I told a neighbor what I was going to do (bring the dogs to the beach) and said "I hope Charlie doesn't get into any trouble", to which my neighbor replied, "Trouble?  He's so friendly, what kind of trouble could he possibly get into?"  Of course, my neighbor was right.  Nothing happened. Ughhh!  So, baby steps for sure, but I'm going to seek out little places I can take Charlie and SOCIALIZE!

We're probably going to have to pay a visit to Eddie's Wheels soon (how ironic that this manufacturer of mobility carts for disabled dogs is right HERE in Massachusetts!).  In hindsight, we probably shouldn't have let Cooper run as much as he did today (could have put him on the leash).  We will have to remember that for the future.  He did have fun, and seems fine, but (big surprise) I worry.

Now, without further ado:  photos from today!

Charlie Brown, his mama Katie in the middle, and sister Tess off in the distance.  What a reunion!

 I finally met mama Katie! (ok, I just typed "we" .... uh, the boys already know her, LOL!!  and yes, I think they remembered each other)
Sister Tess looks so much like Charlie I had to keep looking for the red collar to determine who was who!  (Tess wears the red collar)

Can't get enough of lovely Katie :)

Q. Charlie, or Tess?   A.  Tess!

Cooper wasn't exactly the most polite guest -- he kept stealing Tess's ball!  But it's ok, everyone accommodated his handicap and let him keep lying down (with the ball lol) to rest his weary front leg.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Tess is saying, "Gimme back my ball, you, you, you.... typical brother, you!"

Charlie diggin' to China!

 Captive audience!  [ Charlie, foster sister Bella on the bottom, mama Katie, and Rico Suave looking on in the background.]


Bella and Katie looked at the camera LOL!

Cooper resting, but won't let go of that ball!

Coop and sister, Tess, running after the ball !  Yeah, we kinda had the whole beach to ourselves WOOO!

Bon Jovi's best "quarters in the jukebox" performance EVER!

So many good parts, I can't decide which is best... but guitar trio at the end is not to be missed!

http://www.youtube.com/v/R10sQ6hsD18?version=3&autohide=1&feature=share&autoplay=1&autohide=1&attribution_tag=muhtF2ZV4hWZX6JJjgtKRg&showinfo=1

Purina + GOOD partner to celebrate heroic pets in photo/video challenge

Better late than never!  This press release should have been shared here by me a couple weeks ago.  The contest is still on, for two more days.  It ends on Veterans Day (November 11th).

Until Nov. 11 at http://heropets.maker.good.is/, pet owners can submit a photo or video plus a short (true) story about how their pet has changed someone's life. Whether it's turning a frown upside down or feats that would make Lassie jealous, pets are heroic in every way.

15 finalists will be voted on by the GOOD community and the winning "hero pet" will receive a $5k donation made in their name to one of the following pet service non-profit orgs: Pet Partners®, Support Dogs, Inc., New Horizons Service Dogs, Inc., Working Dogs for Conservation; plus a one year's supply of Purina brand food and a featured post on good.is to make the hero pet truly Internet famous.

Purina ONE^® and GOOD Celebrate “Hero Pets” In New Photo and Video Challenge

Pet Owners Encouraged To Share Images And Stories Of Heroic Pets For Chance To Donate $5k To Pet Service Non-Profit And Win A Year’s Supply Of Purina ONE Food 

LOS ANGELES, October 29, 2013 – Heroes often come in all shapes and sizes. The pet lovers at Purina ONE and GOOD (good.is) know the profound difference that a furry friend can make in a person’s life, and they’re celebrating the ways that pets are everyday heroes with the new “Hero Pets to the Rescue” photo and video challenge (http://heropets.maker.good.is/). 

Now until November 11, 2013 at http://heropets.maker.good.is/, pet owners can submit a photo or video and a true story about how their cat or dog has helped someone in need. A panel of judges will review applications and select 15 hero pets to move on to the finalist round. The GOOD community will then vote on the 15 finalists from December 2-9, 2013. The hero pet with the most votes from the GOOD community will receive a year’s supply of Purina ONE brand pet food, a featured post on Good.is to share their pet’s story and a $5,000 donation made to one of the following four pet service non-profit organizations of winner’s choice: Pet Partners, Support Dogs, Inc., New Horizons Service Dogs, Inc., or Working Dogs for Conservation. 

“At Purina ONE, we’re always striving to highlight the positive difference pets make in everyone’s life,” said Christina Schneider, Assistant Brand Manager, Purina ONE. “Whether in small ways or in bigger ways, all cats and dogs are heroes to the people who love them. We look forward to seeing the inspiring stories that pet owners submit to the ‘Hero Pets to the Rescue’ Challenge.”

“Our partnership with Purina ONE has celebrated the many ways that pets change our lives, and we’re constantly amazed by how pets help people with even just the smallest of gestures. We’re excited to recognize the heroes that pets are,” said Jay Ku, Head of Partnerships, GOOD.

Entering the Challenge is simple. Participants submit a brief story along with a photo or short video about how their pet has been a hero to someone in need at http://heropets.maker.good.is/ from now until November 11. The winner will be announced on or before December 16.

Purina ONE® and GOOD began their partnership in 2012 with the GOOD Pets Hub on good.is. The editorial hub includes personal stories, shelter appraisals, revolutionary ideas, infographics and community challenges called GOOD Maker challenges. 

About Nestlé Purina PetCare Company

Purina ONE® brand dog and cat food is manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, one of the leading global players in the pet care industry.  Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. The company has provided more than $30 million dollars in support to organizations nationally. By supporting their partners in animal welfare, Purina^®assists in providing care and adoption for more than 2.2 million pets annually. The North American headquarters for Nestlé Purina PetCare is located at Checkerboard Square in St. Louis, Missouri. Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A. -- the world's leading nutrition, health and wellness company. For more, visit www.purina.com.

About GOOD

GOOD is a global community of people who give a damn, and good.is is a social platform where community members can connect with the best ideas and tools for progress, like GOOD Maker, an online grantmaking platform. GOOD Local brings the collaboration and efforts of the community to life in person at a local level, and GOOD Magazine is a quarterly publication that reflects the activity and impact the community creates. GOOD/Corps partners with member companies and organizations to align their social impact efforts with organizational success. To learn more, visit www.good.is.

The Saturday Pet Blogger Hop - Best Photo Ever of Charlie Brown