We went home to Oelwein for a day during Memorial Day Weekend to enjoy some grilled food with my parents and one of my brothers.

It turned into “let’s baby Cubbie day.”

Here’s the evidence.

First, he sat next to my mom on a bench inside the house while we looked at pictures from my brother’s trip to the Dominican Republic.

I think he was offended when I told him he was spoiled.

Then, we moved outside to the screened-in porch. My mom gave Cubbie a bone (his special treat), and she proceeded to hold the bone for him part of the time.

I think it’s safe to say he had a great day in Oelwein.

Posted under Cubbie stories

The ASPCA recommends keeping your pet indoors as much as possible during outdoor parties. From toxic foods to fire hazards, our animals are exposed to all sorts of unusual things during Memorial Day weekend, and your pet is counting on you to keep him safe.

Check out our top five tips for keeping your animal secure this weekend and beyond.

• Skip the spray. Avoid lathering your pet with any insect repellent not intended for the four-legged kind.

• Avoid scraps from the grill. Stick with your pet’s normal diet—any change, even for a day, can result in an upset stomach.

• Be cool near the pool. Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a pool or lake—not all dogs are expert swimmers!

• Stay fire smart. Keep your pet away from matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten can irritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system.

• Keep it fresh. Bring enough water to keep yourself and your pup hydrated. “Nature’s dog bowls”—puddles, ponds and streams—may contain parasites.

Posted under In the News

I thought I’d share this picture of Cubbie after his bath this week. He wasn’t a very happy camper.

His favorite part of the warm weather is spending more time outside and rolling in as much stinky stuff as possible (usually worms). His least favorite part: me getting the stink off of him.

Posted under Cubbie stories

When I came home from work the other day, this is what I found sitting on my front steps. Either he didn’t smell Cubbie, or he doesn’t mind being around dogs.

I’ve seen this cat around my neighborhood a few times, but I’ve never seen him around my house before.

I’m not sure if he belongs to someone who lives in my area, or if he’s a stray cat.

He didn’t let me get very close. As soon as I took the picture and disturbed his nap, he ran off.

Posted under Cubbie stories

Even though Mother’s Day is past, I still wanted to share the beautiful flowers I got from Cubbie.

Cubbie MIGHT have had a little help from my friend Kory.

It’s nice to be recognized as a Dog Mom, too.

Posted under Cubbie stories

Happy Mother’s Day to my fellow dog moms (and all pet moms)! I found this poem online, which I think is speaks for all loving pet owners.

———————————————————————-

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I made and ate hot meals without being watched every second.
I had unstained, unfurred clothes.
I had quiet conversations on the phone,
even if the doorbell rang.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I slept as late as I wanted
And never worried about how late I got to bed
or if I could get into my bed.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I never stepped on or tripped over body parts.
I didn’t know what a bully stick was and never touched an esophagus.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had never been peed on
Pooped on
Drooled on
Chewed on
Or pinched by puppy teeth.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I slept all night without sharing
the covers or pillow.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I never looked into big, soulful eyes and cried.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn’t stop a hurt.
I never knew something so furry and four-legged
could affect my heart so deeply.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had never held a sleeping puppy
just because I couldn’t put it down.
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was well.
I didn’t know how warm it feels inside
to feed a hungry puppy.
I didn’t know that something so small
could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being
A Dog Mom

Author Unknown

——————————————————-

Even though he can’t buy me a card or a gift , I’m just happy for some cuddle time as my Mother’s Day gift.

Posted under Cubbie stories

Dogs Forever Safe Place opens Saturday, May 5th in Cedar Rapids.

Its goal is to save dogs on the verge of being put down at local shelters and vet clinics.

The address is 3800 Wilson Ave. S.W. in Cedar Rapids.

Click here to see my story on KWWL.

Posted under In the News

What: Cubbie Tails Dog Day at the Ballpark

When: Sunday, June 10th at 3:05 p.m.

Where: Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo — where the Waterloo Bucks play!

Why: To enjoy a baseball game with your dog AND to raise money for the Cedar Bend Humane Society

Tickets: $10 (includes you AND your pet)

**At 2:30, join us for a ‘parade of dogs’ around the field and an agility demonstration from Connie Apling of K-9 Playhouse

There will also be a silent auction and a limited number of t-shirts available for purchase.

Posted under Pet Events

CEDAR RAPIDS—Dogs Forever Safe Place, a unique concept in animal welfare, will hold an open house Saturday, May 5, at 3800 Wilson Avenue SW. “Safe Place is exactly that—a place where dogs are safe while we figure out a plan for the next phase of their life,” says Crist, who founded Dogs Forever with her husband Mike in March 2011.

She says this “next phase” may mean transferring a dog to a reputable rescue or no-kill shelter or moving the dog to a Dogs Forever foster home. “A dog may also be adopted while they’re at Safe Place,” explains Crist. “We are open every Saturday from 11 to 3 and the public is invited to meet our dogs.”

The dogs that come to Safe Place are picked up as strays by county or city authorities in eastern Iowa. The dogs are either held at an animal shelter or in the case of counties without a shelter, held at a local veterinary clinic. If not reclaimed by their owner, the dogs are at risk of being euthanized. Through a network of rescues, shelters and animal advocates, Crist learns about dogs that are at risk. “Their time may be running out because of overcrowding in a shelter or because a county has no shelter where the dog can stay until adopted.”

Safe Place also provides:

· A Meet ‘n’ Greet area where you can get acquainted with dogs available for adoption.

· Dogs Forever Store, with quality new and used items for dogs and the people who love them.

· A Memory Wall that celebrates the memory of your beloved pet when you make a $25  donation.  

Contact: Nancy Crist
319-481-0977 or nancycrist@netins.net

Posted under In the News