Gracie's Bark | Pet Friendly Resource

Pet Adoption and Rescue

When we consider pet adoption and rescue we tend to always think about dogs and cats. In many families the idea of getting a pet rabbit becomes quite popular during Easter. Gracie would like to take a moment to offer up the idea of rabbit adoption!

When you adopt a rabbit you are giving them a second chance at life in a loving home. A great place to find bunnies up for adoption is your local humane society. Not only do they have dogs and cats, but sometimes they have rabbits looking for a loving home too.

 

Rabbits make wonderful pets, but just like cats and dogs, they aren't for everyone. It takes a special person to love and care for a rabbit, or any animal. Make sure you and your family are ready for this type of commitment. Rabbits need special care and can become a wonderful addition to your family. We have friends who have two pet bunnies and they run around the house just like cats and dogs would. These two bunnies have been trained to use the litter box too. 

Bunnies are a big responsibility and bunny proofing your home is a must! Rabbits can get into all sorts of dangerous situations in the home.

If you are interested in getting a rabbit, please consider rabbit adoption. Check with the local animal shelters in your area first to see if there are any bunnies in need of a good home. 

Have you adopted a rabbit before? If so, email us with a photo and we will post it on our site. [email protected]

Happy Adopting!

A Dog Walker Making A Difference in the Lives of Cancer Patients & Dogs

Through my social media and pet friendly travels I have been fortunate to meet some really incredible people. I was recently introduced to a dog walker in Cape Cod who is making a difference in the lives of cancer patients. Maria Silva is a dog walker servicing Barnstable, West Barnstable, Centerville, Cotuit, Hyannis, Marstons Mills and Osterville Massachusetts. Her passion for animals has changed her life and the lives of others along the way. 

Article written by Maria Silva, Red Rover Dog Walking

Where do I begin?  In May of 2009, Red Rover Dog Walking was launched.  A dog walking and pet sitting company servicing the Barnstable Villages on Cape Cod.  Complimentary services for Barnstable residents undergoing cancer treatment was a must!  I experienced this need when my husband and I had travelled to Boston for his treatment and my then Golden Retriever puppy needed to be let out and exercised while we were gone all day.  A true necessity and gift greater than gold!  I knew I had to make this part of my venture.  

As I took on more cancer patients, they asked me to find a home for their furry friends before they passed.  I am honored to say I was able to do this for many.  The response I got from the patients is beyond anything I can describe.  It still brings tears to my eyes every time I think of it.  I am a very spiritual person, but I have never felt the presence of God more than at those times my patients had thanked me.

Soon after, I had my dog Padmé tested for her CGC (canine good citizenship) test and Therapy Dog Certification through the Companion Animal Program (CAP) on Cape Cod.  She passed with flying colors!  Weekly visits were made to local nursing homes where I saw first hand how a pet brings elderly people “back to life” if even just for a short time.  Another amazing experience.  

I had heard of a 10 year old boy with special needs who needed to get his own Service Dog but was on a waiting list.  Granted Padmé was a Therapy Dog, but I wanted to offer her to this boy in the meantime while he waited to receive his own dog.  Well Nick and Padmé became fast friends. I showed Nick how to handle a large dog, give her commands, care and treat her properly.  And yet, another blessing in my life.  Nick had a fundraiser to get his dog.  I attended without Padmé but you would never know it as she was everywhere - on shirts, poster boards, table center pieces and even the cake!  They raised the needed funds and Nick got his very own Service Dog named Keno.  Now Keno and Padmé are quite the item!

Joe the Dogman (Joe Yukna, a local dog trainer) trained both my dogs and also helped me when I first started Red Rover with dog behavioral and training issues.   We soon became somewhat of a team doing fun/creative stuff with clients and their dogs.  Holiday photo shoots became quite the rage and still are today!  Its amazing the bonds you form when dogs are the connection.  

So this brings me to my second job which is animal care at Barnstable Animal Hospital in Hyannis, MA.  I work there mornings and then do my Red Rover clients in the afternoon.  It’s a furry day indeed!  Working at the hospital has given me an entire new perspective on our animal friends.  I look at them in a whole new light now and have an even greater respect for them.

I love what I do!  And they say you should do what you love.  I am so blessed to be where I am in life. Its no mistake that Dog is God spelled backwards!

Gracie's Bark is happy to announce that Maria Silva is our first guest blogger in our new series called Making a Difference in the Life of a Dog.

In addition to spotlighting a dog each month from around the world, we have decided to spotlight a person making a difference in the animal community.

Please pass the word around that we are looking for all those wonderful people who make a difference in the life of an animal on a daily basis. Nominate someone you know today! Email us at [email protected] with your spotlight request. 

Meet Sadie Our Spotlight Dog for April 2012

Jessica Boss contacted Gracie's Bark to spotlight her beautiful dog Sadie. 

"Our family decided to get a dog after a recent string of car and house break-ins. We wanted a big, friendly dog who could fit in and grow well with our family, that’s where Sadie comes in. Sadie is an 80 pound ten month old retriever who is super friendly yet intimidating at first glance! Her excitement and zest for life has transformed our sedentary couch potato life style. True to her breed she loves to play fetch, Frisbee and loves the water. Sadie has changed our lives for the better, and we cant imagine our lives with out her." - Jessica & family

Sadie is a beautiful pup and 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 [email protected] and tell her about your favorite pal! Additional pictures and video welcome, space permitting.

Happy Birthday to Gracie's Favorite Dog Pal Jazzmin!

Happy Birthday to You  

Happy Birthday to You  

Happy Birthday Dear Jazzmin

Happy Birthday to You.

From good dogs and true,

From old dogs and new,

May good luck go with you,

And happiness too.

 
 
 Happy 11th Birthday Jazzmin!

Hugs & Kisses

Love Gracie

We will wish your lovable dog a Happy Birthday on Gracie's Bark. Please send us a picture and your dog's birth date to [email protected]. (Picture and date of birth need to be received at least 3 days before your dog's birthday)