Gracie's Bark | Pet Friendly Resource

Meet Beagles Daisy & Ruby | Gracie's May Spotlight Dogs

Carling & Tyler contacted Gracie's Bark to Spotlight their beautiful Beagles Daisy and Ruby. We are very excited to share their story.

"My boyfriend and I decided to get a beagle puppy in 2011, Daisy. I was drawn to her immediately with big bright hazel eyes and dominant brown in her tri-colour coat.

Training Daisy turned out to be more difficult than expected, we quickly learned how stubborn beagles could be. Daisy has shown me a bond that I had not experienced before. She is my sidekick, never leaving my side. She even sleeps between my legs under the blankets at night. Wherever I am, she’s beside me. She feels the need to have my complete attention at all times, if not she is whining or nudging me.

Unfortunately Daisy is unsocial with other dogs that she hasn’t got a chance to warm up to. In dog training classes she always seemed to feel threatened and stayed away from other canines. She snips at other dogs or acts frightened and whimpers as a warning.

Our love for Daisy and the beagle breed has grown immensely over the past year. Although her behavior is not perfect, we felt another dog may help justify her behavior.

November 2012 we rescued Ruby Tuesday (now “Ruby”), a beagle-pug mix from our local animal shelter. Her features are very beagle dominant with the exception of her very large dark brown eyes. Her excitable personality caught my eye immediately.

At two years old, Ruby was not properly trained. She was not taught to go to the bathroom outside, among other problems. We knew we could give Ruby the better life she deserved, a forever home.

After the first week we noticed changes in Daisy. We could not put the dogs in separate crates when we left home, they would whine unless put together in one cage.

Today we cannot imagine life without her or Daisy. They are now best friends, and inseparable. Daisy’s behavior has greatly improved; she is no longer the “alpha” dog of the house. Ruby quickly took over that position. If Ruby and Daisy are not constantly playing, you can find them snuggling.

Owning two dogs can be a challenge, but nevertheless the most rewarding chapter of my life thus far. They are my best friends, part of the family, and my dogs!" ~Carling 

Daisy & Ruby are beautiful dogs and very lucky pups! We want to thank them for becoming part of Gracie's Bark Blog Family. Each month Gracie spotlights a dog from around the world. Please email your entry (short story) with a photo to GraciesBark@gmail.com and tell her about your favorite pal! Additional pictures and video welcome, space permitting.

Meet Shadow | Gracie's April Spotlight Dog

Jennifer contacted Gracie's Bark to Spotlight her beautiful dog Shadow. We are very excited to share their story.

"This is Shadow. My husband put our two dogs out in our fenced in yard one morning, came back to check on them and there was a third dog. When my husband went out to see if this new dog had a collar on and to try to entice him into the house with a treat, he quickly squeezed through a small gap in the fence and ran off. We followed him to a house a couple of streets over from ours and rang the bell. When it was apparent no one was home, we called NB animal control as he was not wearing a collar and, clearly, not secure in the yard. We left our name and number with the officer and went to work. Within an hour, the animal control officer called to say that she had been to the house before to talk to the owner about securing the dog and providing shelter if he was going to be outside all day. This day, the owner decided to surrender him and the animal control officer wanted us to know that and that he was on his way to Forever Paws animal shelter in Fall River. Well, it didn't take long for us to decide to try to adopt the dog that found us. We welcomed him into our family in early December and can not imagine our lives without him. He is a sweet little boy and, in addition to his human family, has two canine sisters, Raven (15) and Lily (6)." ~Jennifer

Shadow is a handsome dog and one lucky pup! We want to thank him for becoming part of Gracie's Bark Blog Family. Each month Gracie spotlights a dog from around the world.

Please email your entry (short story) with a photo to GraciesBark@gmail.com and tell her about your favorite pal! Additional pictures and video welcome, space permitting.

Meet Stella | Gracie's March Spotlight Dog

Jessica contacted Gracie's Bark to Spotlight her beautiful dog Stella. We are very excited to share their story.

"Stella is a rescued Portuguese podengo mix, and is currently about two years old. When my boyfriend and I decided it was time to adopt a dog into our family, we spent hours scouring on Petfinder for the perfect pooch. It turns out I didn't need to look any further than the Town of Swansea Animal Shelter, where I was volunteering. After a weekend of looking at pictures of adoptable dogs, I walked into the shelter on Monday and there was a new dog in the very first kennel. The second I saw her I knew that she belonged with us. 

We counted down the days we had to wait in case someone claimed her, and on day 10 she went in to get spayed. From that day on, Stella has been a member of our family. We have a senior cat with epilepsy, and Stella has actually predicted when her seizures are coming, which has helped us to make these times easier for her.

Stella has also helped us in fostering kittens. We began taking in kittens without mama cats or homes last spring, taking care of them until they were old enough to be adopted. We were initially worried about how our dog bred to hunt rabbits would react to these tiny animals. Turns out we had nothing to worry about-- Stella loves mothering all the baby kittens that have come through our home, and has even picked out a couple she wanted to add to our family! 

I can't imagine how Stella ever ended up in a shelter-- she is a loving dog, a great friend, and a valued member of our family. The second I saw her, I knew it was meant to be-- and boy, was I right about that!" ~Jessica

Stella is a beautiful dog and one lucky pup! We want to thank her for becoming part of Gracie's Bark Blog Family. Each month Gracie spotlights a dog from around the world.

Please email your entry (short story) with a photo to GraciesBark@gmail.com and tell her about your favorite pal! Additional pictures and video welcome, space permitting.

Meet Harley | Gracie's February Spotlight Dog

Jeff contacted Gracie's Bark to Spotlight his beautiful dog Harley. We are very excited to share their story.

"Harlequin Rose Costa is a pure bred Mantle Great Dane from Tolam Danes located in North Attleboro, MA (tolamdanes.com).  She celebrates her one-year birthday this month.  A happy resident of the Historic Downtown New Bedford Waterfront neighborhood and very much still a growing pup, “Harley” currently tips the scale at 106lbs and eats six cups of dry kibble a day plus treats.  She sleeps in an oversized, hot pink, corduroy beanbag, loves to cuddle and enjoys long naps. 

In addition to playtime and the occasional tug-of-war, Harley recommends a moderate amount of exercise every day.   Including fitness as part of her daily routine keeps Harley strong, flexible and one-with-her-breath.  This includes walking, running, playing, chasing, fetching, training and most recently, joining me “on the mat” for what we affectionately call Woof Yoga. 

At first, I admit, I thought Harley was just being curious, sniffing around the Gaiam blocks and foam rollers in my studio.  I imagined, perhaps she was attracted to the pink rubber of my Jade brand sticky mat.  But as it turns out . . . her interest was, in fact, something more. 

Harley began showing signs of what the Kripalu Yoga Institute calls “the inquiry of yoga!”  It started with an innocent enough Upha Vista, or Up Dog pose one morning, upon waking from her hot pink pillow.  Then out of nowhere there were these two-limbed Phalanakasanas or Plank balancing poses connecting in a vinyasa flow!  Sure enough by the following week, Harley was at a classic Kripalu stage three - “letting yoga flow through her”:  there was Ananda Balasana, or Happy Baby pose; several Garbhasanas, or Child poses; and every kind of Virabhadrasana, or Warrior pose, you could imagine. 

The posture alignment in her Ardha Muka Svanasana, or Downward Facing Dog pose, is like an Iyengar textbook model of perfection!  Ever since, motivated by the pursuit of joyful living, Harley shares in a daily yoga adventure of inquiry, practice and play. 

If you and/or your pooch are interested in joining Jeff and/or Harley for their private classes in Woof Yoga and more, please don’t hesitate to contact one of them online at JeffCostaFitness.com or by emailing to info@jeffcostafitness.com.

Namaste. Woof.  Woof.  Woof." ~Jeff Costa

Harley is a gorgeous girl and one lucky pup! We want to thank her for becoming part of Gracie's Bark Blog Family. Each month Gracie spotlights a dog from around the world.

Please email your entry (short story) with a photo to GraciesBark@gmail.com and tell her about your favorite pal! Additional pictures and video welcome, space permitting.

Meet Freddie! Gracie's January 2013 Spotlight Dog

Donna contacted Gracie's Bark to Spotlight her new dog Freddie. We are very excited to share their story.

"After grieving Wilbur's death in April, I started looking for a dog to rescue. I actually felt as though Wilbur would direct me to the perfect pup. I looked at a few, but all of the deals fell through for various reasons.

Then, I saw the picture of a three-legged guy on a golden retriever rescue site. He was missing quite a bit of fur from his chest down from allergies to fleabites; he had been infested with them when he found at the pound in Columbus. We aren't sure how he came to lose his left rear wheel, but it is likely from trauma.

At any rate he gets along just fine. He was at the home of a foster parent (a vet in Columbus) for 6 weeks, and he has been here in his fur-ever home since the beginning of November. He is between 3 and 5 years old, and was pretty timid at first...because he had been in a cage so long; he didn't understand the concept of a tennis ball or squeaky toy.

Already he has mastered the Invisible Fence (on his last lesson with the trainer, the IF people unknowingly brought another 3- wheeler to help to show Freddie the ropes! Nice to know there are others who know that 4-wheel-drive is over rated!), has learned numerous commands, and is eager to please. He stays in his crate during the day ("Freddie's House"), until his dog-walker comes to exercise him and give him a doggy massage. He sleeps through the night in "Freddie's Bed" at the foot of my bed, and waits patiently for his food in the morning while the cat is being fed. He is quick to say when he needs to go outside, and upon returning he knows if it has been raining to sit to have the water/mud wiped off of his feet as soon as he gets in...in fact, now he even raises his right paw each time to help out with the process!

He loves car rides and visits to the nearby dog park, and loves to run. He has a lovely temperament, and has only barked twice: both at the UPS man!" ~Donna

Freddie is very handsome and one lucky pup! We want to thank him for becoming part of Gracie's Bark Blog Family. Each month Gracie spotlights a dog from around the world.

Please email your entry (short story) with a photo to GraciesBark@gmail.com and tell her about your favorite pal! Additional pictures and video welcome, space permitting.

Meet Skye the Siberian Husky and Tundra the Alaskan Malamute | Gracie's October 2012 Spotlight Dogs!

Richard contacted Gracie's Bark to spotlight his 2 dogs: Skye the Siberian Husky and Tundra the Alaskan Malamute.  Gracie is very excited to share their story this month!

"Skye was a rescue dog from the southern Ohio area. She was a day away from being put down when she was rescued. She came into our lives in December 2003 when she was 2 years old. Skye loves walks and rides in my VW camper with her friend Tundra (our 5 year old Alaskan Malamute). She is a great family dog and is gentle with kids." ~Richard

Skye and Tundra are wonderful pups and we want to thank them for becoming part of Gracie's Bark Blog Family. Each month Gracie spotlights a dog from around the world.

Please email your entry (short story) with a photo to GraciesBark@gmail.com and tell her about your favorite dog! Additional dog pictures and dog videos welcome, space permitting. 

Meet An Australian Shepherd Named Indy | Gracie's Spotlight Dog for August 2012

Rachel contacted Gracie's Bark to spotlight her handsome Australian Shepherd Indy. Gracie is very excited to share Indy's story this month!

" Indy is a 3 year old Blue Merle Australian Shepherd. He was born with two different colored eyes blue and brown. Indy is a very loveable animal who loves to play with my 20 month old son Adrian who constantly attempts to ride him like a horse.

Indy's favorite thing to do is play frisbee. His favorite treats are Bully Sticks, and he loves any kind of stuffed toy as long as it squeaks. Indy is not fond of car rides, but he does enjoy long walks especially along the beach. Indy also enjoys hanging out with the family in the kitchen, hoping to get a little something during dinner prep. Indy is a source of joy to our family and he is a SUPER watchdog." ~Rachel

Indy is very handsome and we want to thank him for becoming part of Gracie's Bark Blog Family. Each month Gracie spotlights a dog from around the world.

Please email your entry (short story) with a photo to GraciesBark@gmail.com and tell her about your favorite dog! Additional dog pictures and dog videos welcome, space permitting. 

Meet a Doberman named Zena and her Puppies | Gracie's Spotlight Dogs for July 2012

Christy from Plymouth Massachusetts contacted Gracie's Bark to spotlight a doberman named Zena and her litter of puppies. Gracie is very excited to spotlight Zena and her puppies this month! 

"When we found Zena, it was love at 1st sight for my red male Doberman named Colt. After some patient (Ha!) waiting, they mated in March and here is the result. Zena gave birth to 10 Doberman puppies and it is a rainbow litter. Zena has 6 black & tan puppies, 1 red puppy , 2 blue female puppies ( Thelma & Louise) and a fawn puppy (rarely seen) named Fawnzy. " ~Christy

Zena and puppies are all doing very well and are really adorable! We want to thank them for becoming part of Gracie's Bark Blog Family. Each month Gracie spotlights a dog from around the world.

Please email your entry (short story) with a photo to GraciesBark@gmail.com and tell her about your favorite dog! Additional dog pictures and dog videos welcome, space permitting. 

Meet Kona & Theo | Gracie's Spotlight Dogs for June 2012

Manassah, a colleague of mine, has two very cute Springer Spaniels named Kona & Theo. Gracie is very excited to spotlight two dogs this month!

"If the Land of the Misfit Toys had dogs, Kona and Theo would be center stage.  Kona and Theo, are eight-year-old rescued English Springer Spaniels.  Kona, the brown and white Springer is a Field-Springer and Theo, is a Show-Springer.   The typical Springer is friendly, willing to obey and quick to learn. Well, our boys are the exception! While they are very friendly and willing to obey, our boys are a little slow on the quick to learn.  Like all good Springers, Kona chases birds. Well not really. He actually chases bird shadows.  And Theo chases nothing at all.  Kona is constantly on the go, tail wagging, ready to pounce on any shadow that passes by.

Theo takes all day to rollover. Kona jumps into the pool and swims around. Theo is perplexed by water.  Kona is capable of opening closed doors by running headfirst into them. Theo just stands there and looks at them until you open the door.  Bright they are not! But they bring immense joy and happiness to the neighborhood. They are silly, nonsensical misfit dogs and we like them just they way are!" ~Manassah   

 

 

Kona & Theo are both very handsome and lucky pups! We want to thank them for becoming part of Gracie's Bark Blog Family. Each month Gracie spotlights a dog from around the world.

Please email your entry (short story) with a photo to GraciesBark@gmail.com and tell her about your favorite dog! Additional dog pictures and dog videos welcome, space permitting. 

Meet Ziggy Our Spotlight Dog for May 2012

Lee contacted Gracie's Bark to spotlight Ziggy. 

"Ziggy is a BIG part of our lives so we have lots of pictures. I started with his earliest puppy photo - 7 years ago. When we are at our home in Dartmouth he and I walk on the beach or the DNRT trails everyday. He loves the cold weather and snow, when we have it!  He is a big walker for a little guy. I included a very recent picture of him and my daughter on one of the trails. We live on an island in Canada in the summer. He is a great car and ferry traveller and once we arrive (a 2 day trip) he runs free on the hundreds of miles of beaches. There are pics from our house and the beaches. In the winter we spend some time in Florida now and we have different routines here-walking the neighborhoods, kayaking and boating pics all included. As of late when he is hot or too tired and he doesn't like the return walk home, I have introduced him to a backpack/carrier that he loves. As you might guess I love this animal, his wonderful companionship, personable ways of greeting everyone he meets, funny games he plays, his understanding of so many words, the unusual noises he makes in expressing himself. He is a hearty small dog with a big personality and a big heart." ~Lee & family 

 

Ziggy is a very handsome and lucky pup! We want to thank him for becoming part of Gracie's Bark Blog Family. Each month Gracie spotlights a dog from around the world.

Please email your entry (short story) with a photo to GraciesBark@gmail.com and tell her about your favorite pal! Additional pictures and video welcome, space permitting.