Six years ago today (June 28, 2006), my furry baby was born in Osceola, Iowa.

Seven weeks later, I was taking him home with me to my apartment in Ottumwa. That’s where I was working at my first reporting job for KTVO TV 3.

My how time flies! I can’t believe it’s already been six years. I always joke he’s the longest boy to ever stay by my side, but it’s true.

There are moments in life that help shape the people we’re meant to become, and adopting Cubbie was a very defining moment in my life.

I still remember picking him up for the first time, and I just knew he was the dog for me. To be perfectly honest, many of my friends didn’t think he was a cute puppy. He had huge ears that were way too big for his head, and he had trouble walking on his back legs. But to me, he was perfect. Eventually he grew into his big ears, and he quickly went from walking tentatively to running all over the place. I can’t imagine my life without him.

Cubbie has helped me become a more loving person and a more patient person. Goodness knows those first nights when he whined constantly weren’t easy. Neither was potty training nor when he chewed on my t.v. remote.

But it was my bond with Cubbie that got me to see more in myself. A side that drove me to help as many animals as possible.  Wondering what could have happened to Cubbie if I hadn’t adopted him, made me want to make sure many more dogs and cats and other animals found a good, loving home. It’s not only good for the pets, it’s good for the people as well.

He’s the reason I added a pet segment to the weekend morning news. He’s the reason I organize “Cubbie Tails” fundraisers for the humane society. And, of course, he’s the reason I was given this blog by KWWL.

Cubbie is the reason I know I can’t do everything, but I can do something.

My little Cubbie isn’t so little anymore, but he’ll always be the little puppy who changed my life.

Happy Birthday, Cubbie! I’m a better person because of you.

Posted under Cubbie stories

(MARION/CEDAR RAPIDS, IA)  Local pet owners hoping to avoid the mess, hassle and fur-ball-clogged bathtub drains resulting from Rover’s summer bath are in luck! On Saturday, July 7th, from 10 AM to 4 PM, Iowa Humane Alliance will be hosting “Scrub-Yer-Mutt For Spay/Neuter 2012″ dog Wash Fundraiser at PETCO, 1450 Twixt Town Road in Marion.

 Volunteers will be donating their dog-washing talents that day to help Iowa Humane Alliance’s mission to reduce companion animal over-population by providing access to affordable spay/neuter programs. Iowa Humane Alliance will be opening Iowa’s first high-volume, low-cost spay/neuter clinic in Cedar Rapids later this year. 

 For a $25 minimum donation, dogs will be treated to a luxurious shampoo, rinse and dry and a free nail trim courtesy of a PETCO groomer.

 Iowa Humane Alliance will also be holding a micro-chip clinic at PETCO  that day. Microchips are a safe and affordable way to help your pet find his way home if he is ever lost. Microchipping is just $25.00 and includes a lifetime registration.

 IHA will provide a range of enjoyable activities, prizes and merchandise for both pets and their humans while at PETCO.  It’s good, clean summer fun that sends owners home with happy, pampered, fresh-smelling dogs — and helps out Iowa’s needy animals at the same time!

Posted under Pet Events

Friday, June 22nd was “Take Your Dog To Work Day.” Unfortunately, I did not get to bring Cubbie to work. But, I probably wouldn’t have gotten much done with him around to distract me.

First celebrated in 1999, Pet Sitters International’s Take Your Dog To Work Day® (TYDTWDay®) was created to celebrate the great companions dogs make and to encourage their adoption from humane societies, animal shelters and breed rescue clubs.

This annual event asks pet lovers to celebrate the humane-canine bond and promote pet adoption by encouraging their employers to support TYDTWDay. Employers are encouraged to open their workplace to employees’ four-legged friends on this one special day.

Clarke University emailed KWWL some photos of the dogs on campus. The dogs even got to join everyone on campus for an outside lunch.

Posted under Pet Events

I get regular emails from the Animal Rescue League  (ARL) in Des Moines. This article caught my eye, and I thought it was worth sharing.

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Occasionally I will hear the comment from a person that says they only support “people charities”. While the charities they are referring to are certainly worthwhile, I am always struck by this because it assumes we only help animals. Though animals are the basis for our non-profit work, there is invariably at least one person, often several, involved with each of the tens of thousands of animals we help each year.

 To that point, I am reminded of Charity and Hammy. Charity found herself in an abusive relationship and like many of us know, the love of her adopted dog Hammy during this stressful time in her life became the focus. When the abusive boyfriend tracked Charity to three different states, she found Des Moines with a new identity, a new life, and no old friends or family – just herself and Hammy.

But money was tight and she was unable to afford dog-friendly housing yet she knew she could not surrender her friend and lifeline, Hammy. Fortunately, she found the Animal Rescue League of Iowa  and our Crisis Foster program which provided care for Hammy during the few weeks it took Charity to find work and a place she could afford that accepted Hammy.

 Reunited, Charity and Hammy are happily living together again, far away from abuse and fear. I think you will agree that a person and a pet were helped.

Posted under In the News

 CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (June 13, 2012)— The Cedar Valley Humane Society will present Cat Paws, a program on cat behavior by Carol Griglione, cat behavior specialist for the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Inc. Cat Paws will be held on Thursday, June 21, from 6 to 8pm at Daniel Arthur’s Restaurant, 821 3rd Avenue SE in Cedar Rapids. The reception begins at 6 p.m. with free appetizers and a cash bar. The presentation will follow immediately. Afterwards, Ms. Griglione will be available to sign copies of her book For Love of Cats, which will be available for purchase. Admission is $10. For more information or to register, visit www.cvhumane.org or call (319) 362-6288.

Posted under Pet Events

Thanks so much to everyone who helped support the Cedar Bend Humane Society by turning out for the Cubbie Tails/Waterloo Bucks Dog Day at the Ballpark at Riverfront Stadium.

While I think the heat kept many people and dogs away — I’m very, very pleased with the amount of money we raised.

In total, we raised more than $800 for the Cedar Bend Humane Society. AND, I still have a few t-shirts left. I’m going to drop those off at the humane society to sell in the store out there.

It was definitely a hot day, but I really appreicate everyone who still made it out and everyone who made a contribution to the cause. I really can’t thank you enough.

Thanks to Connie Apling with K-9 Playhouse for her agility demonstration, and thanks to the Bucks for allowing dogs at the game.

Special thanks to Hy-Vee, UNI Athletics, Gallagher-Bluedorn PAC, Waterloo Bucks, KWWL, Roth Jewelers, The ISLE, Maribeth Boelts, Jiva and Caribbean Tan and Spa for making donations to the silent auction. It was a BIG hit and brought in most of the money.

Kory Kelchen and my co-worker Nikki Newbrough Rasmussen graciously helped me out at the front gate — so great!

Also, I have to give a huge thanks to my parents for once again helping me out at the tables, bringing buckets for water and helping with Cubbie. I really couldn’t pull all this off without my parents’ help.

Here are some pictures from the “Dog Day at the Ballpark.”

Danielle & Cubbie

Joel, Nikki & Zoey Rasmussen

Danielle & Cubbie and Nikki & Zoey

Cubbie and "Grammy"

Posted under Pet Events

Cubbie is resting up now because this afternoon he’s gearing up for a fun day at the ballpark!

We hope you join us at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo today (Sunday, June 10th) for the Cubbie Tails/Waterloo Bucks Dog Day at the Ballpark.

Again, the cost is $10 for you and your dog.

The dog parade begins around 2:30 p.m. followed by an agility demonstration from K-9 Playhouse.

There’s a limited number of t-shirts for sale, and numerous items available in our silent auction.

Proceeds benefit the Cedar Bend Humane Society.

Dogs will sit a reserved bleacher section. Water is provided.

Let’s cheer on the Bucks and help raise money for a good cause– thanks for your support!

Posted under Pet Events

There are days when Cubbie can be quite mischievous. Recently, he discovered how to go under the kitchen sink and give himself treats.

I’ve caught him several times with his head emerged inside his treat box. Obviously, I’ve had to move his treats from under the sink so he can’t get at them on his own. (If I didn’t, he’d eat an entire box).

I’ll admit, it’s very entertaining to watch him get the treats out of the bottom of the box.

cubbie treat box

Posted under Cubbie stories

Leading up to Sunday’s “Dog Day at the Ballpark” — Cubbie got a chance to do a little running around a ball field.

We threw tennis balls, and he would bound off to chase them down. My favorite part was watching him jump over the foul lines! He was following an old baseball superstition without evening realizing it.

Most of the time he didn’t want to run on the dirt. He would get the ball, and then he’d run to where the grass meets the dirt and run it in the rest of the way on the grass.

He was definitely tired after a few runs. One time he ran straight past us to his water dish, and he was so quick to get a drink he just dropped the ball into the water dish.

He moved while I was trying to take this picture, but you can hopefully see the dirt from the field on his nose.

Cubbie at the baseball field

Posted under Cubbie stories

Everything is ready to go for this Sunday, June 10th for the “Cubbie Tails/Waterloo Bucks Dog Day at the Ballpark.”

Again, the event is for you AND your dog. The cost is just $10. I’ll also have a limited number of t-shirts for sale and a silent auction. ALL my proceeds go to the Cedar Bend Humane Society in Waterloo.

The game starts at 3:05 p.m. at Riverfront Stadium in Waterloo. BUT get there early! At 2:30, we’ll have a parade of dogs around the field and an agility demonstration from Connie Apling with K-9 Playhouse.

Dogs will sit in a special section of the bleachers. Water and “trash” bags will be available on site.

Here’s a look at just some of the silent auction items you can bid on during the game on Sunday.

Special thanks to Shirt Shack, Waterloo Buck, Caribbean Tan & Spa, Jiva Salon & Spa, Roth Jewelers, Maribeth Boelts, ISLE Casino Hotel, Hy-Vee and the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

Hope to see you Sunday afternoon! Go Bucks!

Posted under Pet Events