Every Rescue Has a Story

Bella had a tough start in life and was in foster care for 2 years before she got a permanent home with us. I knew nothing about the Coon Hound breed and was warned that this type of dog could be very high energy. Fortunately for me, Bella’s favorite pastime is napping.



Gray, (I wasn’t responsible for the name), was a neighborhood stray that hung out on a neighbor’s porch for years. When the neighbor renovated her house and there was no longer going to be a porch for Gray to hang out on, we migrated him to my porch. One morning, I found a pile of his hair in the driveway and feared the worst. When he finally sauntered up to the porch, it was the last time he ever went outside again.

Mackie was also a neighborhood stray and was frequently heard at night fighting with Gray. Mackie wasn’t as social as Gray, and the only way I caught him was when he injured his front paw and was not as quick as he usually was. After a trip to the vet to be neutered, he escaped from my screen porch and was back roaming the neighborhood. He quickly realized that the grass was not always greener and soon was back on my porch waiting to be let in. He also never went outside again.

After an S.O.S. call from my neighbor, I agreed to help trap a cat that had been living in the garage of an empty house. I never had any intention of adding another cat to my growing household and tried to find Chester a home. His prospects were slim. There was the lady who wanted to immediately declaw him because she just spent a small fortune on her new bedroom linens. And then there was the woman who had to consult a psychic to check on Chester’s energy. I gave up trying to place him and figured – what’s one more?

Abby was one of those situations where you are between a rock and hard spot and you wonder if you did the right thing. She was a rail thin cat that I didn’t realize had a litter and was about to have another one. We were never able to find her kittens. If we didn’t want to bring more homeless kittens into the world, she had to spayed immediately. I always wondered (and worried about) what happened to her kittens. Many years later, I saw a glossy black cat with Tortoiseshell markings like hers, in front of the house where she had been rescued. I’m hoping this cat had been one of her missing kittens.

Buster’s number was just about up when he was pulled from a small town shelter by a Chihuahua rescue group in the Northwest. We were at the airport waiting for the flight to the West Coast when he started coughing. Realizing something was wrong, we went to the vet instead. Buster had stage 3 heartworm and was given a 50-50 chance of surviving the treatment. He went from not being able to walk more than a few steps, to zooming around the yard like a Mexican firecracker. He was due for a run of good luck.

Nell was my very first cat. I went to the Humane Society and was fortunately helped by someone who knew a lot more about cats than I did, or I’m sure I would have ended up with the meanest cat in the shelter. She was wrapped around someone’s neck and I thought for sure she was adopted. Lucky for me, she wasn’t. She had been found wandering with another cat and some nice person had brought both cats in to the shelter. I wrote a note to that kind soul to let them know she now had a fabulous home – which she’s had for the past 16 years.

Ruby, who was first named Sylvester, is our latest addition. I was not in the market for another cat, but as you can tell, I’m a sucker for a hard luck story. Ruby was like a tiny sprite, dashing across the parking lot near a very busy street. She was very wild at first and I had to trap her just to get her to the vet. They didn’t think she could ever be domesticated. It took a couple of months, but it was a great day when she jumped on my bed and let me pet her for the first time and started purring. She’s been a breath of fresh air for my lazy older cats. She loves to chase them, and they get a lot more exercise since she’s arrived.

How to Style Your E-Collar

Bella, my Coon Hound who is recovering from a tumor removal on her front paw, has found many clever ways to wear her surgical collar.

Tortie the Migrant Cat

Tortie has probably had more homes than lives. She was left behind by a less-than-responsible neighbor about 10 years ago and has roamed our street ever since. Plenty of people had tried, but Tort refuses to give up her migrant lifestyle and be an indoor cat. So she squats at whatever home will take her in until they move out of the neighborhood. It may sound cruel that she is always left behind, but we’ve had many neighborhood discussions about this. We inevitably decide it’s best that she stay on our street since she knows it so well. And she’s probably safer because it is a short dead-end street. So she continues her transient ways and knows that there is chow 24x7 on my porch, which yard has the best sun in the afternoon, and if she’s ever in trouble, one of us will be rushing her to the vet. Every cat should be so lucky!

Snow Dog

Snow in Atlanta is a rare event. So everyone goes wild if any accummulation is expected. The storm that hit the city on March 1st was no exception. Snowmen seemed to be blossoming in every other yard. One family with imagination created this snow sculpture, which is inspiration for the next storm!

Preparing Your Pets for Gustav

With hurricane Gustav barreling towards the Gulf Coast, pet owners need to make plans for their four-legged family members. Learning from Katrina, the state of Louisiana passed a law that mandates owners take their pets with them in the event of an evacuation. Check out my blog about Evacuation Tips for Pets. If you are traveling by air, you may also want to read Pet Travel Tips.

In honor of a band of dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly to reunite Katrina pets with their owners, my upcoming series will cover the amazing tales of how Elsa, Peaches, and Rocky finally made their way back to New Orleans years after Katrina separated them from their families.

And to all those on the Gulf Coast -- our thoughts are with you during this storm.

Yappy Meals to Go?

With many quick serve restaurants looking for fresh ideas to boost sagging revenue, an innovative writer for Ad Age suggested adding kibble and water to the drive-through menus. My pups usually accompany me on errand runs. They look forward to any errand that involves Starbucks or the Bank of America, where they know the friendly cashier will be waiting with a Milk-Bone for them.

Pet menus at the drive-through are not so far-fetched. If you've ever taken your pets on vacation, you know how hard it is to find pet-friendly dining while you're on the road. Dog snacks and car-friendly water bowls at the drive-through window would solve the hassle of unpacking bowls and pet food to feed them while enroute. Unfortunately, Buster, my Chi-mix, and Bella, my Coon Hound, would probably go on a hunger strike if we ordered kibble to go. They are used to sausage biscuits- or cheeseburgers-to-go when we are on vacation. A few unhealthy meals won't kill them. For more information on doggie dining ideas, check out McDonald's Could Sniff Out New Ground with Yappy Meals. Bone Appetit!

Pet Friendly Portland

After a very long cross-country flight, Buster and I finally arrived in Portland. My first mission was to find a grassy area for Buster, which is often mission impossible at most big airports. I was pleasantly surprised when I found a very well-manicured dog run, complete with pickup mitts, right outside the Baggage Claim door. Once that stop was checked off the list, we were ready to explore this city we had heard so much about.

Getting around

We were staying downtown and getting there was a breeze. The light rail system, called Max, stops right in front of the airport. Pets are allowed on all public transportation as long as they are confined in pet carriers. Most cabs, town cars, and shuttles will also transport pets. Getting around Portland on public transportation is easy and free in many areas. All of downtown is within the "Fareless Square", which means you can hop on for free whenever you like. The trains and streetcars run frequently, and we rarely waited more than a few minutes for a ride.

Where to stay

Buster and I checked in at the Westin Portland, which is conveniently located near Pioneer Square in the heart of downtown. It is easy walking distance to great restaurants, shopping, and the famous Pearl District, which has a lot of art galleries and micro breweries. If you stay at the Westin, be sure and reserve your pet's Heavenly Bed in advance. There were over 10 dogs staying there that weekend, and the beds were all given out by the time we arrived. Buster would probably not have slept on it anyway. When he is in unfamiliar surroundings, he becomes the Velcro Dog.

The Westin staff was very helpful and gracious, but there are other hotels that are more "pet centric", such as The Hotel Monaco Portland, The Bensen, and Hotel Vintage Plaza, which truly cater to the pet crowd. The Monaco and Hotel Vintage each have four-legged ambassadors in residence, and the staff is very knowledgeable about where your pet is welcome in the city. The concierges at the Monaco and Vintage Plaza provide lists for everything -- from where to shop and dine with your pet, to where to take your dog in the event of an emergency. Art, a yellow lab rescue, is the Director of Pet Relations for the Monaco. He had a well-deserved day off when we went by the Monaco, but Art's portrait and cushy pet bed were in the lobby, where he waits eagerly every day to welcome pets and their owners to the hotel. The Hotel Vintage also has a pet-in-residence, a lovable Havanese named Georgie.
The Benson Hotel is a beautiful old hotel that was pet friendly before the term was even coined and has hosted many celebrity pets. A bit of history...The Benson is where the famous Nixon Checkers speech (named for Nixon's Cocker Spaniel) was written.

Things to do around Portland

You'll never be bored in Portland. There is something of interest for everyone. The city is well known for its wide variety of cultural attractions, outdoor sporting activities, and vibrant waterfront along the Willamette River. Whether you are a specialty or bargain shopper, there are plenty of shops and boutiques to explore. A lot of the night life, art galleries, and hot restaurants can be found in the Pearl District, an area of rejuvenated lofts and warehouses. Be sure and stop by Lexi Dog Boutique and Social Club while you are in the area, which carries a wide assortment of chic pet gear and fun treats.

Another spot worth checking out is any of the eclectic coffee shops that seem to be on every corner. My favorite was Stumptown Coffee on Stark Avenue, which The Benson concierge told me was the best coffee you will ever drink. He was right! It was the smoothest brew I've ever tasted. Next door to Stumptown is Kenny and Zuke's Deli ,which serves up some awesome deli fare and has won many local awards for its creations.

Many of the Portland restaurants have outside seating areas, which makes for great people watching. While not officially sanctioned by the Health Department, many restaurants will allow your pet on their patio. We were welcomed everywhere we went, but always ask the staff first if it is okay to sit outside with your pet. Buster and I spent many hours enjoying the constant parade of Portlanders and their pets, many which stopped by to say hello to Buster. Another favorite spot is Typhoon, which has also won many awards and has been written up in all the major foodie magazines. The kind waiter at Typhoon brought a dish the chef whipped up just for Buster -- a tasty bowl of brown rice topped with chicken and covered in a savory broth. There are many other great restaurants all within walking distance of the hotels around Pioneer Square or a short trip on Max or the street car.

Nob Hill (a quaint neighborhood of Victorian homes and shops), Chinatown, and the Pittock Mansion, which is the early 1900s estate of the pioneers who helped found the city, are other major attractions worth checking out.

As far as entertaining Rover, there are plenty of options. There are close to 50 dog parks all over the city, which is very big on green space. Washington Park has a fabulous arboretum and the oldest and largest Japanese and rose gardens in the U.S, which were breathtaking. The arboretum has many rare species of trees and includes an living memorial to Oregonians who served in Vietnam. It is easily reached via Max, which allows pets in kennels. Dogs are welcomed in the park if they are leashed.

The beaches, which we didn't get to visit on this trip, are just 80 miles away. Cannon Beach is one of the most famous ones and is dog friendly. Dogs can bound in the surf unleashed as long as they respond to voice commands.

Be sure to stop by the Visitors Bureau in Pioneer Square. The staff is very helpful and has information on all the area attractions and just about any interest you may have.

Au revoir

Portlanders really love their pets and go out of their way to welcome visitors who are traveling with their four-legged companions. We had a fabulous weekend, but it was time to bid adieu to Portland.

We'll be back

Buster was exhausted from the long trip and being constantly on the go, but he is already begging for another trip back. He has a thing for that little minx Georgie at the Hotel Vintage!

Handy links
TriMet public transportation (Max light rail, streetcar, and bus information)
Portland Pet Parks
Free-wheeling Portland (USA Today article about visiting Portland)

Making your trip hassle-free

Traveling with a pet takes a little advance planning in order for it to be enjoyable for everyone. Buster travels in a soft-sided, airline-approved carrier that will fit under most airline seats. Drs. Foster and Smith carries a similar one that is made by Sherpa and approved for pets traveling in the cabin. You will need a hard-sided carrier if your pet must be checked in the cargo bin. I also pack along Buster's Sherpa Tote-Around-Town bag, which is lightweight and can be folded flat in my suitcase. While not suitable for air travel, it is great for toting him into restaurants and shops that don't normally let you waltz in with a pet. It zips shut and looks like a tote bag with mesh sides for ventilation. The Sherpa Tote-Around-Town bag can be found at Petco

Check with your airline on the dimensions of the space beneath the seat to be sure your kennel will fit. And beware-- airlines frequently change equipment, so what may fit on one aircraft may not fit on another -- which is another reason to get a pet carrier that fits on most types of planes. For more information on what to pack for your pet and things to know if you are traveling by air, please see my blog on Pet Travel Tips. You will also want to check with the airline on what documentation they may require for you to bring your pet onboard. Also check with the Veterinary Board for the state you are traveling to, to see if a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) is required. You may never be asked to produce it, but a number of states (including Oregon) require it and have different time limits on how long it is valid. An airline may also ask you to produce it, in order to verify that you have the proper documentation for travel. I also take along a copy of Buster's latest shot records and rabies certificate.