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.

Westward Ho!!

Buster and I are headed West this week to check out Portland, which calls itself one of the most pet-friendly cities in the U.S. Buster is already packing his toys and can't wait to check out the famous Westin Hotels Heavenly Bed, which comes in a pint-size version just for pets. Check back later in the week. We'll be reporting live from the City of Roses on all the hot spots to see and be seen with your pet!

The Not So Wondra Litter Box

I was headed down the pet aisle at the local grocery store and happened upon two women who were in an intense discussion about litter boxes. Always looking for a better alternative to that onerous task of keeping the litter box clean, I joined the conversation. They were singing the praises of the Wondra litter box. I had never seen one on the shelf. They are so popular, they were always sold out. It was a rare day that they happened to be in stock, and between the three of us, we cleared out the inventory. Based on their testimonial, I couldn't wait to try it. It was supposed to be the ultimate in odor control and eliminated the need to clean the litter box. You just toss the whole thing out.

After about 3 days, I realized that the Wondra box was not so wonderful. My house had that distinct kitty box aroma. Did I mention that the same duo sold me on a new brand of clumping litter too? I looked in the litter boxes and found a soggy, smelly mess. So much for the Wondra box. I switched back to my tried and true pine litter mix in my plastic litter boxes.

Another great way to control odors around the litter box is to hang a bag of volcanic rocks near the box. They naturally absorb odors and last forever. You just have to "recharge" them every 8 months or so, by leaving them out in direct sunlight. The rocks are a much less expensive alternative to the odor-absorbing gels that work well, but have to be replaced every month. Drs. Foster and Smith sell the volcanic rocks under the brand name Pet Clear Crystals.

Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Bell

Recently I went to a pet trade show to see what was new in the marketplace. I am always amazed at the products that people dream up -- like the top that fits over your water bottle that adjusts the flow so your dog can drink from it too. Or the water bowl that adapts to the drink holder in your car. I could certainly use one of those. We've had many overturned water bowls on long car trips with the dogs.

But my favorite new invention was the doggie doorbell. At first, I thought it was a leash with bells, which would make for a very noisy walk. I had heard of something like this before. Some clever owner trained their dog to jingle a bell when they needed to go out. By only rewarding them for ringing the bell when they have to do their thing, and not for going out to play, they eventually learn to use the bell for what it was intended. And now some enterprising businesswoman came up with the Designer Doggie Doorbell. The doorbells are simple to make, but if you don't have the time or the inclination, you can purchase one to suit any decorating style at Poochie Bells.

Adopt a Rescue

When to get another pet after you've lost one is always a very personal decision. There is no right answer for everyone. After losing Lily, my sweet Collie, I stayed off of the pet sites and ignored rescue emails from well-meaning friends. I just wasn't ready for another dog. And Buster, my Chihuahua/Boston Terrier mix, seemed to be enjoying his status as an only-dog.

Then I happened to open an email from Best Friends Rescue. The group was trying to help Angel Dog Rescue place some dogs from south Georgia. Unfortunately the state has one of the highest euthanasia rates and lowest adoption rates in the country. Rescues in rural areas have an even tougher time getting adopted. When I clicked on the photo in the email, I was staring at the soulful eyes of a Treeing Walker Coon Hound named Bella. She had been fostered for 2 years by an 85-year-old woman who had just lost her husband. Single-handily managing a large property and multiple pets would be overwhelming for anyone -- especially if you were older. She needed to find a permanent home for Miss Bella.

Buster and I drove down to meet Bella to see what we thought. By nature, Coon Hounds can be a handful. After reading online about the breed, I was a little intimidated. But Bella had been fostered for 2 years, so I had a pretty good read on her personality. She didn't fit the Coon Hound mold and was the proverbial couch potato. We packed her up and took her home with us. Bella quickly adapted to her new life and lived up to her coach potato reputation. Within the first week, she had tried out every soft spot in the house, no matter how small. Much to the dismay of the cats, even their wicker bed was fair game, whether she fit in it or not.

Bella turned out to be a gem of a dog. She was house-broken, very sweet, and got along with everyone. Many people ignore rescues in favor a cute puppies. They forget it takes a lot of work to train them to become well-behaved dogs. Rescues may have bad habits that need correcting too, but at least you know what you are dealing with if they have been in foster care for any length of time. A vet can give you a list of rescue groups in your area, many which are breed-specific. And speaking of breeds, be sure to look for traits that suit your lifestyle. If you are a high energy, active person, you may be happy with a dog that needs a lot of exercise and is a part of your outdoor activities. Some people (like me), would be worn out just thinking about it. Animal Planet has a great interactive tool that helps match your lifestyle with the traits of different breeds to make sure that you AND the dog are happy with each other.

Remembering Lily ~~ December 16, 1995 - May 26, 2008

It was a gorgeous day, and one that Lily would not live to enjoy. Lily was recovering from a debilitating seizure in the emergency room. Several days ago when I visited her at the vet, I was encouraged that she may recover as she stood shakily to greet me. Today, she looked my way, but that was all she was able to do. I could tell that Lily was ready to move on.

I first met Lily on an equally beautiful day in the fall of October 1996. She was a 10-month-old tri-colored Collie who lived on quiet farm that raised Collies and German Shepherds. Moving to the big city was quite a change for her. She was afraid of everything, and it took her a long time to be comfortable even going for a walk. After having lived with so many dogs, she was lonely living with just 2 cats.

Several months later, I rescued a Cocker/Lab stray and named him Chipper for his lively personality. He turned Lily's life around. They became fast friends and great playmates, chasing each other and squabbling over toys and chew bones. Though shy and insecure when I first adopted her, Lily became the Alpha dog after Chipper arrived. Next a sweet King Cav mix named Holly joined our family, and Lily's pack was complete.

I frequently brought home lost and abandoned animals, and Lily was always accepting of whatever came in the door. Unlike most animals, she graciously shared her food bowl and toys with every visitor. Though she seemed meek and mild, Lily was better than any alarm system and ferociously guarded her turf against any perceived threat, including an evil neighbor. Never letting down her guard, Lily barked at this neighbor until her final days.

When Chipper died unexpectedly several years ago, Lily mourned his loss. Though she soldiered on, Lily never seemed to fully recover from losing her best friend. Now she is reunited with both Chip and Holly, who were probably the the first to welcome her on the Rainbow Bridge. Though we miss all three of you tremendously, we are glad you are together again. Godspeed.

"Dog Whisper Episode Guide" Reviewed

Buster, my kamikaze terrier/Chihuahua mix was having some behavioral issues. I couldn't fault the little guy. He's a Katrina rescue who survived the hurricane and a near-fatal bout of heart worm disease. Anyone would need a little therapy after that.

Buster has always been a little skittish but it had gotten worse -- to the point where he was reluctant to leave the yard for a walk around the block. Most dogs beg to go for a walk, but not Buster. If I drove him to a park or unknown area, he had no problem walking on a leash and seemed to enjoy the exercise. If I tried to walk him in his neighborhood, he wouldn't go past the driveway and would try to scoot inside to the security of his favorite chair in the living room. Sidebar: on the advice of my vet, I even tried giving him some doggie antidepressants. But the medication didn't seem to help him get over his fears.

Enter the Dog Whisperer. I picked up his latest guide on dog behavior, "Dog Whisperer The Ultimate Episode Guide", since it had some chapters on dog phobias. While the guide didn't provide a lot of direction on Buster's problem, I found it interesting to read about challenges that other owners had faced with their pets. I admired their tenacity to work through the problem with the dog, rather than giving up on their pet.

The book is like a TV Guide version of the episodes rather than a in-depth guide on how to correct behavioral issues in dogs. Cesar Millan is obviously a gifted trainer, and his editors would do him justice by devoting more detail to the recommendations and follow-up sections of each episode. In any case, "Dog Whisperer The Ultimate Episode Guide" is an interesting read for any animal lover. If you are looking for advice on how to correct a serious behavior problem, you may want to check out other sources.

Do you have a recommendation on how to correct a dog phobia like Buster's? Please share your comments.

Visiting that Dog Mecca Called Carmel

If you've ever traveled with your pet, you probably know that it takes some advance planning to ensure a fun and hassle-free vacation. There are different definitions of "pet-friendly", however Carmel-by-the-Sea is the standard that many pet destinations should aspire to. Many of the hotels are indeed pet-friendly, but the grande dame is the Cypress Inn, which is co-owned by animal lover, Doris Day. Your pet is welcome anywhere in the hotel, even in the dining areas.

This beautiful hotel in the heart of Carmel is easy walking distance to great restaurants, fabulous galleries and shopping. Best of all, it is a few blocks from the famous Carmel Beach on Ocean Avenue, where you will find dog lovers and their loyal canines frolicking in the waves.

The Cypress Inn offers a terrific breakfast that you can enjoy in front of a cheery fireplace with your pet or on the lush garden courtyard. The hotel also hosts a daily happy hour, where guests as well as the locals enjoy a cocktail with their canine buddies. Cats are welcomed at the Inn as well. The staff keeps a scrapbook of the pet guests who have stayed at the hotel. Many are frequent visitors and stay in touch via Christmas cards to the staff between visits.


The Cypress Inn provides a list of all the pet-friendly restaurants and stores in the area. Most establishments welcome pets as long as they are on a leash and well-behaved. To stay on the good side of the health department, many restaurants allow dogs in their outside dining areas but not inside. Some will let you bring your dog in if it is in a carrier, but it is always best to ask first. If you would like to leave your pet at the hotel, a staff member will either pet-sit for you or arrange for a sitter to take care of your pet


San Jose is the closest large airport to Carmel and is a scenic 80-mile drive. Petfriendly.com offers a list of pet-friendly hotels, attractions, restaurants and shops in the Carmel area.

Sherman Makes a Choice

Not every cat covets a cushy lifestyle. Take Sherman for example. He showed up in our neighborhood about six months ago. My neighborhood is very pet-friendly and a number of households leave out feeding stations for the feral cats. We even have a vet in the neighborhood who has volunteered to spay or neuter any homeless cat we bring into his clinic. While big on the free food (and not so big on the surgical procedures), the stray cats are very attracted to my neighborhood.

Sherman resembled a cat that my across-the-street neighbor once had, and she decided to adopt him. I was thrilled that this little guy would finally have a permanent home. Sandra and I went through the whole ordeal of trapping Sherman and taking him to the vet to be vaccinated and neutered. Sandra even bought a plush new pet bed, toys, and tempting treats for Sherman. On his first night "home", he was miserable. He growled and tried to escape every chance he had. Sherman finally slipped out the door, but of course he didn't go far. Who would leave such a great set-up? My street is like a resort experience for stray cats. In the morning, there is breakfast on my porch, sunbathing on another neighbor's porch, a bowl of half-and-half in the afternoon at Sandra's porch, and back for dinner on my porch. Plus there is an igloo in the hedges stuffed with a cozy fleece bed and blanket for those nights that warm shelter is needed. What's not to like about this set-up?

Like people, animals may choose a lifestyle that is counter to what most others would choose, but it seems to work for Sherman.

Delta Gets a New Leash on Life

Delta didn't start out as Delta. At first she was called Lucy, a frisky yellow lab that followed me while I was walking near the Delta Reservations center one day. Skinny and collar-less, she looked like she had been lost a long time. Worried that she might get hit by car, I decided to try and coax her back to my building, which was about a mile away.

Fortunately a painter was working on a house nearby and lent me a nylon strap so I could use it as a leash and get her safely across a very busy intersection. The local police rolled up at that point and told me he had seen her roaming for most of the day and she was new to the neighborhood. He offered a ride, and while some women like men in uniforms, Lucy isn't one of them. She wasn't about to get in the patrol car with this guy, so we continued our journey on foot.

The police stopped by again, this time with several cans of Vienna sausages for Lucy from the local convenience store. Juggling the treats, a bucking pup, and my cellphone was no easy task, but we made it back to Delta Headquarters in one piece. The guards at the gate seemed a little surprised that I had picked up a companion, but didn't ask for her i.d. and waved us through. After wrestling this 60 pound bundle of energy into the car, I took Lucy home with me, and that's when the fun began.

Being an animal lover (as you can probably tell), I already had a full house with 3 dogs and 5 cats. I couldn't take another dog in permanently, but I could try and find a home for her. The fates were working against us, however. It was the end of the year when most people were enjoying the holidays and not looking for a dog to adopt, especially an older one. The shelters were full and not taking in any new residents. I wasn't panicked yet -- but I soon would be.

Having worked with many rescue groups across the country after Katrina, I had a long list of people I could contact who might possibly help. We frequently ship dogs out of the South to other areas of the country that do not have the homeless pet problem we have here. I contacted every single group I knew, and some I didn't know, and no luck. Lucy's prospects were looking pretty grim.

In the meantime, Lucy was not the grateful guest you would expect after being rescued from the streets. As soon as I brought her home, I let her run outside in my fenced back yard, and she immediately started climbing the fence to get out. Uh-oh, flight risk. She never went outside again without a leash.

My pets are very accepting of just about anything that walks in the door, so I knew they wouldn't have a problem with Lucy. This was not a reciprocal agreement, however. If anyone even looked in the direction of her food or rawhide, she quickly put them in their place. Buster, my dog with a death wish, would routinely steal Lucy's rawhide as soon as we left for a walk. How he hauled a bone as long as he was into his favorite chair, I'm not sure, but it's a good thing Lucy never caught him.

Not trusting her alone with the rest of my crew, I made the mistake of leaving her in a bedroom while I went to lunch with a friend. In just 2 hours, she managed to chew the side of a desk, some woodwork, a wooden blind, and was working on the comforter. Lucy would make the Dog Whisperer throw in the towel. At that point I gave up and packed her in the car for a trip to a shelter that will keep animals until they are adopted.

I had donated lots of time and money to this organization and thought surely they would help me out. I went there with Lucy to plead my case, while she was quaking in fear. They refused to take her, so I ended up packing her back into the car and driving home. At this point, I had pretty much run out of hope. We were stuck with each other, at least for awhile.

Despite her mischievousness, Lucy did earn her keep one morning. On one of our daily o'dark-hundred walks (she's an early riser), we were headed down a street and I heard someone say "hey baby". At this hour of the morning, the only people you usually run into are fellow dog walkers and runners, and they usually don't greet you with "hey baby". Lucy knew something was up and wasn't about to lose her meal ticket. She started barking with a fury that would wake the dead -- along with everyone on the street. She made her point, and the pair took off running. It was tempting to let her off leash so she could go after them, but they'd already had enough of a scare for one day. Very proud of herself, she pranced all the way home.

What to do with this dog? In desperation, I made one last call that was going to be a long shot. I had read a story several months earlier, about a prison in Colorado that takes in rescues and companion animals and trains them. I called the manager of the program and explained the situation and asked (begged!) her to take Lucy into the program. She said she'd give it some thought. In the meantime, she called my vet, where Lucy had day boarded for free, and they vouched for her. Lucy was fine with people, and with a little socialization, she could be a good citizen. The Colorado Prison finally agreed to take Lucy. I was so thrilled, I booked her on the next available Delta flight before they could change their mind!

Though Lucy was a handful, we bonded over the month that she lived with me. She was a sweet, loyal dog that was going to make a great companion for some lucky family. It was very hard to send her off, but I knew this was best for her. And my house could return to normal again.

On a chilly January morning, we drove to the Delta Air Cargo facility for the flight to her new home. I was like a nervous mother making sure her crate door was secure and her sedative for the long flight was kicking in. Lucy was taking this all in stride and was ready for a new chapter in her life. I tracked her progress online to be sure she was loaded on the right flight and that she arrived safely at the cargo center in Denver. Her chauffeur from the Denver prison called me as soon as she picked up Lucy to let me know she was okay, although a little surprised at all the white stuff on the ground in Denver.

Since there were already a lot of Lucys in the program, she was renamed Delta, Colorado Inmate #881. Delta adjusted quickly to her life behind bars and was happy to have a steady stream of affection and 2 squares a day. She bonded quickly with her new handler. Once she completed her training, she was ready for adoption. Her profile was posted to the adoption site and described her as "charismatic, very gentle, with loyalties that run deep". Some lucky family appreciated those qualities, and she rode off with them to her new home.

Dogs can teach you valuable lessons if you are willing to listen, like how to give unconditional love and to revel in the simple joys of life, like a long nap in the warm sun. Delta taught me to have patience. No matter how insurmountable a problem may seem, things always seem to sort themselves out. Wishing you many long naps in the warm sun Delta!

Read the USA Today article about the Colorado Prison Trained K9 Program, "Dogs do time to earn good behavior"

Visit the Colorado Prison site. Click on K-9 Companion

Tybee Island Road Trip -- Day 4

We woke up to the sound of rain falling on the tin roof. If you've never heard that comforting sound before, it is the silver lining to a rainy day at the beach. The storm also made it easier to leave that morning, which would have been hard to do if it had been a brilliantly sunny day.

Before we hit the road, we had to check out a Tybee icon, the Breakfast Club, which only serves breakfast. It is the place where glitterati and locals rub elbows, deals are made, and gossip is exchanged. The Breakfast Club has an eclectic assortment of great food, some that you may not expect for breakfast, like the shrimp with eggs and grits or the home-made chorizio burrito with eggs.

What is so charming about Tybee is that everything about this island is eccentric. If you are looking for a 5-star resort experience --keep looking. If you like fun, off-beat destinations that are laid back and unpretentious, then Tybee is the place for you. Tybee is an island where residents keep their Christmas decorations up year-round, and you can walk your dog in your pajamas, which I did just this morning. I'm sure there are covenants against these things at some of the tonier islands south of Tybee.


Before heading back to Atlanta, we took one more drive around the island to check out the other Mermaid Cottages. There are close to 30 to choose from, several which are on the historical register, and others that have been featured in Coastal Living and Cottage Living. All are decorated in a colorful signature style that is comfortable and laid back -- a perfect complement to the Tybee experience. And most of the cottages are pet-friendly.




Tybee Island is easy to get to by car or by air. The island is 40 minutes from the Savannah airport. If you need a city fix, like a Starbuck's latte, downtown Savannah is just 20 minutes away via the Islands Expressway. Savannah is a charming city with lots of great boutiques, restaurants, and fine art galleries.

Tybee is truly a diamond in the rough, and a destination you must check out. A coalition is working to make the island more pet-friendly, which will be a bonus to people like me who can't wait to return.

For more information about Tybee Island, check out these links:

Pet-friendly Mermaid Cottages

Charlotte Observor story on Tybee Island

Purchasing or investing in real estate on Tybee

Tybee Island Road Trip -- Day 3

It was another beautiful, sunny day on Tybee, and we set out for the Dog Park. Lily and Buster were excited about seeing Pogie, Louie, and other friends they made the day before. Though it was 10 a.m., not a soul was at the park yet, so we decided to come back later. We're just going to have to adjust to Tybee Island time.

Just down the street from the park is Seaside Sisters, a fabulous shop for vintage collectibles and beach-themed gifts for your shabby chic cottage or home. The store is run by a collective of 10 women with a passion for all things quirky and fun -- just my kind of place! I started chatting with Susan, one of the owners of the store and mentioned by blog about Tybee. She shared a lot of insight on the island's lifestyle and graciously gave me a book on the history of the island from one of the shop's shelves. "Tybee Island", by Robert Ciucevich, is a fascinating read and is full of wonderful vintage photographs.

As I mentioned in my earlier blogs, finding pet-friendly restaurants on Tybee is a challenge. Susan suggested that we try Fanny's on the Beach, which is near the 14th Street Pier, and had outside seating. We received a warm welcome at Fanny's and had a great table overlooking the dunes and pier. Besides being pet-friendly, Fanny's also has great food. I mentioned being stalked by the beach police to one of the locals, just as a Tybee patrol car rolled to a stop in front of us. He told the police to send out an APB to the beach patrol to quit following the lady with two dogs from Atlanta. It must have worked. We never saw the beach patrol again.

Just around the corner from Fanny's is the Atlantic Beacon, run by Debbie, who grew up on the island. The shop has a great assortment of artwork. I was intrigued by the large collection of vintage photographs of the island and its famous icons. Rich in history, the island has lost most of its landmarks, such as the Tybee Inlet Club, the Hotel Tybee, the DeSoto Beach Hotel, and the Central of Georgia Railway station, to fire or development.

Though it is not as pet-friendly as other beach destinations, Tybee residents love their pets and take them everywhere. On the drive to the Dog Park, we passed owners cycling by with their dogs in their bicycle baskets, and dogs headed out for a day of boating.
By mid-afternoon, the Dog Park was hopping, and Buster and Lily enjoyed socializing with their canine buddies.

After the park, it was time to go home for a siesta, while mom headed out for a walk on the beach.






For a small island, Tybee offers a great selection of seafood restaurants. We were going to try Sundae Cafe, which is supposedly the best on the island, but unfortunately it was closed on Sunday. So it was back to A.J.'s on the back river, which has a great dock that overlooks the marsh and is a fabulous place to enjoy the Tybee sunsets.



The area is very proud of its seafood, which is fresh from the local docks. There's even a billboard in Savannah that scoffs at farm-raised shrimp from China. I have eaten so much shrimp from China, that I had forgotten the wonderful taste of shrimp raised in this coastal area. The fresh, salty water off the coast of Georgia produces a much sweeter type of shrimp than the China variety. We are heading home tomorrow and will miss the laid-back pace of this little isle.

Tybee Island Road Trip -- Day 2

We piled into the car for a quick tour of the island to help us plan our day. Our first stop was the Tybee Visitors Bureau, where we collected a map and some other brochures. The nice lady at the desk was a little vague on what restaurants and attractions welcomed pets. She did warn us, however, that dogs were definitely not permitted on the beach, and the fines were stiff if you were caught. The last time I was in Tybee several years ago, I took my dogs to the beach even though it was posted No Pets, and no one said a word to me. They were now cracking down on scofflaws like me.

Our next stop was for breakfast. Outdoor dining is rather scant on the island, although I hear that will be changing soon with the revitalization of downtown. If you have ever traveled with your pets, you probably know that flexibility is the operative word. Your dining options are usually limited to takeout, drive-through, or restaurants that accept pets on the patio. And in some destinations we've traveled to, restaurants will let you sneak a small pet into the restaurant if it is in a pet tote and very well-behaved. Be sure to leave a generous tip for the staff. If you prefer to dine out and not take your pet, check to be sure that you are allowed to leave your pet in the room. We've stayed in several hotels where you either had to take your pet with you or hire a petsitter, which most pet-friendly hotels can provide if you let them know ahead of time.

The island only has one fast food restaurant, which is Arby's and our next stop. As I was walking toward the restaurant entrance, one of the arriving employees informed me that they didn't open until 10 a.m. Coming from a 24x7 city, I was a little surprised that I couldn't get a sausage biscuit at 9:45 in the morning. Meanwhile all the liquor stores nearby were already open for business. I could get a martini before 10 a.m. but not a biscuit from Arby's. Maybe I needed to change my priorities.

Just down the street from the Arby's-with-banker's-hours is the Sunrise Restaurant. As the name suggests, they'd been serving since 6 a.m. I ordered biscuits to go -- one for me and one for my dogs. Our next stop was the 14th Steet Pier and Pavillion to eat our takeout breakfast. The pier is the all-purpose hot spot for everything from fishing to weddings, with a memorial ash dusting scheduled at noon that day for a long-time resident. The visitors bureau thought I should be able to take my dogs on the pier, since it was privately owned, but advised me to check the signs.

Good thing I did, because the sign clearly stated "No Pets". I saw a woman walking her dog nearby and asked her if they enforced the rule. She confirmed that they did and told me not to even go near the beach with Lily and Buster. She had just paid a $275 ticket for her daughter's dog. Though the dog was on private property, it was in a dune and "too close to the beach". So it's $200 if you dog is on the beach, and $275 if it's near the beach. While this may not seem logical, it was just another Tybeeism. Since I had two dogs, it would probably be a double whammy. So we were staying clear of the beach and the dunes. Just at that moment, one of the beach police pulled up, ready to whip out his ticket book if we set one paw on the pier. So we dined on one of the benches near the pier. After all, Buster and Lily were more interested in their sausage biscuit than the view.

Tybee boasts a small dog park on Butler Avenue, its main drag. We stopped there to meet some of the locals and other guests on the island. One of the dogs we met, Pogie, was visiting from Atlanta too. Pogie is Filipino for "handsome", and he was a dashing little schnauzer.

After we finishing with the doggie bonding, we drove over to the Tybee Lighthouse and Officers Row. Originally built in 1736, the lighthouse is a Georgia icon. At 154 feet, it is the tallest lighthouse in Georgia and the oldest. Dogs are not allowed inside the museum grounds but can be walked outside the fenced area. The beach police were on site (same patrol car) to make sure that Buster and Lily knew their boundaries.
Just opposite the lighthouse is Fort Screven, which was built in 1885 and was part of the East Coast defense system until it was decommissioned in 1947. A few streets over from the lighthouse is Officers Row, which is somewhat hard to find and has some forbidding signs about Residents Only. Since it's a public street, we took a cruise down this impressive venue, with the park police tailing us.

The stately homes lining this street were used by high ranking military personnel stationed at Fort Screven. The homes had fallen into disrepair after the fort was decommissioned, but a revitalization effort has restored many to their early splendor. The dramatic restoration of one of the homes was featured in Coastal Living in January 2008. I was surprised that just in front of these gorgeous mansions, were newer homes that were now blocking the mansions' once magnificent vistas.

If I owned one of these grande dames, I would have been a little miffed. I asked a local how something like that could have happened? According to the Tybee native, the land in front of Officers Row was originally a parade ground for the military stationed at the fort, and the mansions were in a severe state of decline. After the fort was decommissioned, the parcel was sold off without much thought to preserving the character of the area. The people who owned or rented the mansions at the time did not have the resources or inclination to mount a campaign to block the development, that essentially blocked their unrestricted view of the water. This seems to be an all too familiar theme on this island, which has lost a lot of fabulous structures to the wrecking ball and developers.

It had been a full day and was nap time for the pups. While they napped, I headed to the beach for a long walk. Tybee is a barrier island with wide beaches of packed sand, which are great for walking, running, or biking. Despite the glorious weather and the long holiday weekend, there were relatively few people on the beach. I was not complaining.

Tybee Island Road Trip -- Day 1

ROAD TRIP! Those words are music to every dog's ears. And this road trip would not be our usual excursion to the grocery store -- or worse -- the vet. We were headed off for a long- awaited trip to Tybee, one of the islands off the coast of Georgia. It would be a nice break from the 5 cats we share the house with. Buster and I know our place in the pecking order: they rule the roost.

The car was packed and we were ready to roll, but mom had to do one last tail count before we left town. She was missing one tail belonging to Mackie. After searching all his favorite hiding places, Mackie was M.I.A. Though he is our chief tormentor, he's family. He might be sick, and we couldn't leave town without knowing he was allright. The can opener and tuna fish did not roust him from his hiding spot, so mom cooked up a stinky brew of shrimp and anchovies, which the other cats loved but still no Mackie. Now we were all getting worried. Several hours later, mom gave up and left to run some errands. When she got back, Mackie sauntered down the steps like nothing happened. As the saying goes, "Cats were once worshipped as gods. Cats never have forgotten this."

It was a beautiful, sunny day in Atlanta and great weather for a trip. We were finally off! Backseat territory squabbles are not confined to children. Buster, the little squirt, hogged more than he needed. It's a terrier thing. Once we settled on our dog beds on the back seat, we watched the view for about the first 10 miles. The Georgia scenery doesn't change much from Atlanta to the coast. It's a steady line of pine trees, plus it was nap time. Buster and I dozed off. After several blissful hours, we woke up just outside of Savannah to the fresh scent of salty air

Fifteen minutes later, we were on the wonderful island of Tybee and ready to start our adventure. We were staying at one of the many colorful Mermaid Cottages scattered throughout the island. Ours was just 2 blocks from the dog park and had a great fenced in yard that we could check out from the back porch.



Almost all the Mermaid properties are pet-friendly, which is hard to find in many beach destinations. We even had a large welcome basket waiting for us when we arrived, stuffed with treats and everything we needed to stay perfectly coifed at the beach. We love this place already!