Ask Lola : A slobbering advice column written by a dog for eco-minded dogs and their owners

Dear Lola: I am looking to addition to my family and share my life with a furry friend. it would be nice to be greeted with big licks, wags, and kisses when I get home. What do you suggest?

Sincerely, SEEKING FIDO

DEAR SEEKING FIDO: I am so happy to hear that you are looking for a new furry friend to add to your family. Dogs & cats truly give back an abundance of love, not to mention that owning a dog or cat has been proven to prolong your life. Many of my pup pals have been adopted into loving homes and I have had the chance to hear their wonderful yet tearful stories. I have gone through many boxes of Kleenex in my dog days. Nothing is more satisfying then hearing these rewarding testimonials. First, thing we want to talk about is recycling. Recycling you ask, what does recycling have to do with getting a dog? Adopting a pet is the ultimate form of recycling, so I would like to talk to you about rescuing a dog and some tips on finding that special four legged friend.

So where should you start! The best place to begin is at your local Animal Shelter. Movies portray shelters as pounds, gloomy, dreary, with a mean dog catcher and crying puppies in cages. The truth is that rescue shelters are wonderful places with loving and caring volunteers who want to place great dogs in loving homes. Today shelters offer a range of services from animal rescue for abused pets, educational & puppy parenting classes, obedience school, medical care, care giver services, pet counseling and adoption. For the volunteers and staff it is all about creating a safe haven for what some may consider cast-a-ways or strays. Pets are provided with the best care while they wait to be adopted into caring homes. Rather animal shelters are non-profit, funded by the government, large or small they all have a common goal within their communities to enrich the lives of people and dogs, while building long lasting bonds. Now that is
priceless!

There are approximately 65 million owned dogs in the United States. Eighteen percent were adopted from an animal shelter. There are approximately 77.7 million owned cats in the United States. Sixteen percent of owned cats were adopted from an animal shelter. If more people adopted from shelters, fewer animals would need to be euthanized. But just remember that older dogs need love to so don’t pass them by. Many times people overlook senior dogs and pick the most adorable puppy, not that there is anything wrong with that. Just keep in mind that puppies eventually grow up too. As I always say, “You are as young as the wag in your tail”.

If you are reading my column and want to help there are many things you can do. Your local shelter could really use your help. Don't think your shelter needs you? Wrong. Shelters are always looking for caring volunteers and animal lovers to lend a helping paw. From the standard dog walking and cat entertaining to making the shelter an inviting place to visit by planting flowers outside or painting a room, there's definitely something you can do to help. You can even help hang up signs at local area vets or post pictures of animal needing rescued at your workplace or office. Be a barking ambassador for upcoming shelter events, hold a dog and cat toy drive at work, or help organize or host a charitable event where all proceeds go to your local animal shelter. My parents and I are going to be participating and helping to sponsor our local SPCA Paws for A Cause Annual Walk-a-thon. Not only is this a great way to socialize (in my case sniff) it’s a good way to walk in support of a woof worthy cause!

Not a believer yet. Well it’s time to call in troops. Hey all you parents out there send us a short story and photo of your adoption story for us to post. With your wonderful “tail-imonials” we can bark the word out!

So from the smart words of Planet Dog, one of my favorite toy companies "Reduce, Reuse & Rewoof" But, for all you doggies in the window don't lose hope there is a special family just for you.

Barkingly yours,

Lola the eco-dog

Here are some adoption “tail-imonials” to read below from adoptive doggy parents so get out that huge box of kleenex. I would personally send out licks, wags and big sloppy kisses to all those who are making a difference in the dog community. Also, thanks to all my twitter friends for sharing. On behalf of all dogs out there thank you or in dog terms "Woof, Woof!"

From Dawn Martin-

My boyfriend Alex and I adopted Mabel from the Bill Foundation which is in Beverly Hills, CA. Mabel is a mix and a delight. I don't know any of her background but one of her front lower canines is cut in half so I'm sure she has a story to tell. She seems to be quite agile and enjoys jumping up on retaining walls and then walking them like a balance beam on all of our walks. Our story isn't that exciting but she is.

My mother adopted Max and T (short for Terrance) 5 years ago in San Diego. Max came from a shelter in Bonita, California. When he arrived they weren't sure what kind of dog he was. He had been on the streets for some time and was matted and grey. He was very under nourished and needed some food! The shelter shaved off most of his fur and then fixed him and my mom picked him up after his surgery. He road in her car with his head on her hand all the way home. We still weren't quite sure if he was a poodle for some time. We fattened him up with a lot of KONGS that included peanut butter in them. After a few months his fur grew in and now he appears to be a full toy poodle! 6 months later Terrance was adopted from the same foundation she got Max from.

He had an elderly owner who was having knee surgery on both knees and could no longer take care of him. He joined our family and was in his shell for quite some time. He only spoke spanish and wasn't quite sure what to do with our english talking and commands. After about 6 months his personality started to come out. Now he's a very happy dog who rules the roost and sometimes has to push the poodle out of his way. He is very regal. When he was a baby he was hit by a car but his owner was a vet so he was patched up. His hips seem to hurt him every now and then but he doesn't let it get him down.

My sister volunteers for a golden retriever rescue organization. I think they are called Retrievers and Friends. Her website is http://www.riverdogz.com. Over the years she's been a foster to many dogs and has adopted many elderly dogs that usually have medical issues. She takes them in and feeds most of them a raw diet. She has taken many classes on homeopathic remedies for dogs and gets some of her dogs acupuncture. She always tries to solve their ailments in a natural way and goes to the vet only when that doesn't work. It has worked so well for so many of her dogs. Right now she has 4 goldens and 1 poodle. They are all sweet. She's lost 3-4 goldens along the way and while it's always sad at least she's there for new dogs in the future that she knows needs help.

You can view many of our pictures of our dogs at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dawnmartin/

The two dogs that you will see that are my sisters are the golden and poodle sharing a couch.

From Sakura Amend-

Hi PawLuxury! I saw your post on Twitter about pet adoptions.

We adopted Lola from an adoption fair about two years ago. Lola is a mix breed Pit Bull-Boxer-Lab-Chow mix. She has a sweet face and big brown eyes. When I found her, she was alone in her own gated area, curled up in a tight ball, and separated from her puppies who were being oogled by the crowds.

Lola had just given birth to the puppies, and she was only one-year old. I felt so sad for her. I wanted one of her puppies at first, but decided that she was meant to be a part of our family. After checking with my husband, I filled out the paperwork to adopt her.

On the day we went to pick-up Lola from the foster home, we found her even thinner than she was at the adoption fair. The seven other dogs she was living with often beat her to the food bowls, so she wasn't getting enough to eat. She was frightened of us, of course, and could barely walk down the street. We had to carry her home and for a few days afterwards until she became acclimated to us.

Two years later, she is healthy, happy and living an active life with her brother, Sammy Sanchez. She is the love of our lives.

Silvia-

So I found my dog Oscar 3 years ago, he was lost in the neighborhood for 3 weeks with his sister. Last July found cat dying in bushes. Cat owner said she was sick of finding him. Then about 3 weeks ago I had 2 dogs left behind in a foreclosure house. Since we live in Vegas I was appalled they were left behind. 8 days ago she had 9 puppies. I now have 13 animals in my home. I love them all. And I truly believe they know that we saved them because the all get along. The dogs are pit bull mixes. I'm very lucky.

~Sherida Buchanan (twitter friend buchanan13)

Hi, Guys!

I saw your twitter post on pet adoption stories, and I had to tell you about how we got Scooby. Our neighbors were boxer owners and knew that we loved boxers. Our neighbor's niece and her family had a boxer and were moving to South Carolina with no plans to take their dog. (In fact, Scooby would have probably ended up in the pound if we hadn't agreed to take him. His previous owners kept him in a tiny lot outdoors and didn't interact with him at all. He was left by himself with no love. When he came to our house, he had open sores on his paws--from continually licking himself as a comforting technique--and worms.)

The first night at our house, he didn't know what dog toys were or what a dog bed was. We had to teach him how to lay on a dog bed. (I'm not kidding!) Scooby's been at our house for almost two years and life is good. He loves being a house dog. He's gained 10 pounds, so now he's a healthy 65 pound dog, his sores have disappeared, he stays on worm prevention medicine, and he definitely knows what to do with a dog bed and toys.

Needless to say life is good at our house. We always wake up with a smile on our face thanks to those boxer wiggles and go to bed with a doggie kiss. And we wouldn't have it any other way.

Thanks for letting me share! Hope y'all are doing well!

If you have a question or need advice from Lola the eco- dog on ways you & your dog can go green just Twitter or email her at asklola@pawlux.com . Lola the eco-dog is here to help!