Happy Mother’s Day! I’m not a mom to children, but I do consider myself a dog mom to my two furry “children.” This poem is the story of my life.

———-

“Before I Was a Dog Mom”

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I made and ate hot meals unmolested.
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 cleaned my house every day.
I never tripped over toys, stuffies, chewies
or invited the neighbor’s dog over to play.

Before I was a Dog Mom:
I didn’t worry if my plants, cleansers,
plastic bags, toilet paper, soap or deodorant
were poisonous or dangerous.

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 had complete control of my thoughts,
my body and mind.
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

Posted under In the News

A tuxedo kitten named Scrappy and a beagle named Charlie are looking for a good home.

Both pets are at the Cedar Bend Humane Society on West Airline Highway in Waterloo and were featured in the pet segment on KWWL Saturday morning.

Click here to learn more about Scrappy and Charlie.

Posted under In the News

Dogs Forever Safe Place is now open at 809 Rockford Road Southwest in Cedar Rapids.

Dogs Forever also has a store with gifts for dogs and people located next door to the shelter at 817 Rockford Road SW. The shelter is open every Saturday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will hold an Open House from on Saturday, May 11.

Nancy Crist founded Dogs Forever in March 2011.

The Open House will give people the chance to meet dogs, visit the facility and store and learn about volunteer needs. Everyone 18 years and older who attends has the chance to win a door prize, including a dog-themed T-shirt with a $20 retail value. Tickets for the Dollars for Dogs 50/50 Raffle will be on sale, with the winning name drawn at 2:45 p.m. that day. You need not be present to win. The total amount raised from ticket sales will be evenly split between Dogs Forever and the winner.

Dogs Forever accepts dogs that are at risk of being euthanized at shelters and from counties without an animal shelter. The group also accepts owner surrenders if there is a compelling reason, such as the death or poor health of the owner. While the group helps dogs of all breeds, sizes and ages, there is a special focus on senior dogs.

For more information, visit dog-rescue-iowa.org.

Posted under In the News

It was a puppy party Saturday morning during the pet segment on KWWL!

We had Simone, Luther and Navii. Simone is part of a litter with five others. Luther and Navii also have another sibling.

Puppies just make everything better!

Click here to watch the segment.

Posted under In the News

Posted under In the News

The Cedar Bend Humane Society is running a special on cats this weekend, get $10 off.

We featured two cats looking for a good home during Today in Iowa Sunday.

Click here to watch the pet segment.

The shelter is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It’s closed Monday.

Posted under In the News

Here’s a look at Saturday morning’s pet segment feature Tiger and Amigo.

Tiger is a pitbull mix. He’s looking for an energetic home that can help wear off his puppy energy.

Amigo is part of a litter of kittens at the shelter. Cedar Bend Humane Society staffers say Amigo and his siblings like to cuddle!

Click here to watch the pet segment.

Posted under In the News

Siamese cat sisters Laila and Lily are looking for a good home. They’re at the Cedar Bend Humane Society in Waterloo.

Ideally, the shelter would like to keep the cats together. There’s a discount for adopting both of them.

Click here to see the pet segment with Laila and Lily.

Posted under In the News

Ally (cat) and Bubba (dog) are both at the Cedar Bend Humane Society in Waterloo and looking for good homes!

We really want to find Ally a loving home because she’s been at the shelter longer than any of the other cats out there.

Click here to watch Today’s Pets on Today in Iowa Saturday.

Posted under In the News

The theme for this, the 32nd anniversary of National Pet Week, is “Save a Life—Adopt a Pet.”  National Pet Week, May 5-11 was created to celebrate the importance of the human/animal bond and promote responsible pet ownership.

National Pet Week is a special week is set aside by the American Veterinary Medical Association and its members to remind pet owners that their companions rely on us for everything. Pets need annual checkups, proper nutrition, dental care, exercise, fun and even a plan for when disaster strikes. 

Visit avma.org for information about National Pet Week and responsible pet ownership.

On Saturday, May 4, 2013 Purr-Sonal Care Cat Clinic will be holding a National Pet Week Kickoff Open House from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Besides treats and refreshments there will be door prizes, a raffle, and clinic tours.  We will also be judging the entries for our coloring contest!

Posted under In the News