Serving Others as a Therapy Dog -- What's Involved?

About a year ago, I started to contemplate something new to do with my 10-year-old lab mix, Juno. She, my husband, and I enjoy our walks as a pack, as well as traveling when we are not all together in our office at “work.” While I continue building my business, I wanted to have something fun and engaging to do on the side, and if I could take my dog with me, all the better!

 My brother was the first to suggest I look into therapy dog training for Juno, as the hospital he works at utilizes therapy dogs for patients and families on a regular basis, and he felt that our cool-as-a-cucumber lab mix would make a great addition to the volunteer staff there.

 Therapy dogs are not service animals, so they can’t go everywhere their handler does as is the case with a seeing-eye dog or a comfort animal. Therapy dogs do, however, serve an important function by being neutral parties who are simply there to support the emotional needs of others in times of stress. Therapy dogs serve in a number of facilities including but not limited to visits in hospitals, funeral homes, nursing facilities, libraries, schools, colleges and universities, libraries and even airports.

Good Dogs! Juno's classmates patiently wait

 I found a training program run through Therapy Dogs International (TDI), and enrolled Juno and I for the 6 week course this past fall. The training was rather similar to our work on the AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate we earned a few months earlier, but it was a bit more intense.

 Over those six weeks, Juno and I learned as a team how to remain calm if things (canes or other items) were dropped next to us; how to navigate around wheelchairs as well as walkers; and how to remain in a “down stay” for a longer period and allow strangers who may not be used to dogs approach and touch her.

 I’m proud to say that Juno made the training look easy. I have to admit that her age might have been a bit of an advantage, as the other dogs in her class were really puppies no more than three years old to her 10. Still, all of the dogs in her class did remarkably well with the challenges set before them.

 The hardest part for most dogs is the testing phase, during which handlers are not allowed to offer treats to their dog for a job well done. Although Juno is very motivated by food, she is also thankfully very happy for praise or a belly rub, too, so that helped us out in the long run.

 I’m happy to say that Juno passed with flying colors and we are now in the process of getting paperwork completed so we can begin our volunteer time at the hospital. This part takes longer than the training, because of the medical sign-offs and tests that I need to go through (it is a hospital, after all, so I need to be up on my vaccines! Juno’s all ready to go; she’s just waiting for me!

 We will certainly report in again once we begin our visits in earnest. In the meantime, if you and your pup are interested in becoming a certified therapy dog team, you can contact Therapy Dogs International via their website at www.tdi-dog.org.

 

 

 

 

MJ Courchesne is a freelance publishing consultant, writer, and part-time personal trainer with a passion for gardening, walking, wine, and travel. She lives in a restored 1890s Victorian home situated in the heart of Buffalo, NY with her husband and lab mix, Juno. Her new blog can be found at http://nickelcityboomerang.blogspot.com/.

 

3 Girls Animal Rescue -- Adopt Some Love

 

 

 

 

 

Adopt Some Love – Two Women Make it Their Mission to Save Hundreds of Dogs and Cats in Rural Oklahoma



This is Jessi.  At five weeks old, she was left in a pasture to fend for herself.  3 Girls rescued her and transported her to Colorado where she is bringing joy and comfort to her family that recently experienced tremendous loss.

 
The first thing you need to know about 3 Girls Animal Rescue in Poteau, OK– they are all volunteers.

The second thing you need to know about 3 Girls Animal Rescue – they are actually two girls, they say the third girl symbolizes the volunteers.

The third thing you need to know about 3 Girls Animal Rescue – they are the only hope for hundreds of animals in LeFlore County, Oklahoma.

 
Poteau is a small rural town located in the southeastern part of Oklahoma, not far from Fort Smith, Arkansas.  Poteau has a pound – not a shelter.  Animals taken in as strays are held for 5 days.  If animals are not claimed or pulled by 3 Girls Animal Rescue, they are euthanized on the 5^th day.  Owner give ups are destroyed in one day, unless they are saved by 3 Girls. That’s the heartbreaking and shocking reality that Mitzi and Angela work with every day.

3 Girls Animal rescue was founded in 2013 (and incorporated a year later) to give animals in Poteau and Wister, Oklahoma a fighting chance – the tiny organization saved 450 dogs and cats in its first year.  In 2014, they saved 419 animals and for 2015, they are on track to rescue over 600 animals.



Mitzi got a call and went out in a snowstorm to rescue this precious boy.   He was around 8-10 years old, deaf from chronic, untreated ear infections, almost blind, heartworm positive, and absolutely the cutest thing she’d had ever seen!  Mitzi figured he'd spend the rest of his years at her house, but this wonderful couple saw his picture and fell in love!  They drove 2 1/2 hours to adopt him.  Say hello to Bernie and his family!

 

 

Mitzi and Angela work as a strong team, doing everything in their power to save animals in LeFlore County.  One of their greatest successes came in July 2014 when the team worked to change city code to end the gassing of dogs and cats – animals are now taken to local veterinarians to be euthanized. (sadly, there are still municipalities that gas animals)

 

It’s Mitzi that visits the pound every other day to pull the animals.  “It’s a heartbreaking but rewarding life,” she confessed, “but I feel blessed to get to rescue.  We are the only hope these babies have.” She also recruits and works with fosters.  She reminds fosters of the vital role they play in saving animals lives, “If we don’t save them, they won’t have another chance.”  That’s not hyperbole, that’s fact, the pounds do not adopt out animals, if they aren’t pulled by 3 Girls Animal Rescue, the dogs and cats don’t survive.

  

Mitzi and Angela work to ensure that all dogs and cats are fully vetted – up to date on shots, as well as spayed and neutered.  They work with three vet clinics in the area.  It costs 3 Girls a minimum of $120 per dog to get it ready for adoption.  The majority of dogs and cats they save need to be spayed and neutered.  The animals suffer from worms, ear mites and unfortunately – heart worms.  It’s not unusual for vet bills to reach several hundred dollars for a dog with heart worms – but they will do whatever is needed to save that animal and get it adopted.

 It’s not plausible that the hundreds of animals Mitzi pulls from the pound will be adopted in LeFlore County or even across the river in Fort Smith – and that’s where Angela comes in.  Angela is the master networker and logistics maven.  She works with rescue organizations in Colorado, Illinois and Connecticut to take the vetted animals and provide them homes.  She also schedules all the transportation for the animals.  So once or twice a month Mitzi, Angela, and a volunteer will drive a van load of healthy animals to their first stop to a forever home.  With no money for over-night stays, those animal transports are often one day turn arounds, and each season brings weather challenges. 



When Mitzi's dear friend Sonna asked for a companion, Mitzi put Diamond in the car and drove 3 hours. 
It was love at first sight!

Mitzi and Angela work part time to help keep the rescue afloat.  Running a rescue is financially and emotionally draining.  Mitzi says the team's spouses are incredibly supportive and will step in when they sense a member of the duo needs a break.  They also could not do it without the support of volunteers and fosters.

Long term the team wants to continue to rescue animals and would like to start a low-cost spay neuter facility in LeFlore County.  “Our number one challenge is over population,” Mitzi says.  She said 3 Girls recently initiated a policy, “we won’t take an owner’s puppies unless they promise to spay the mother.  We had to, we kept getting litter after litter from the same dog.”


Here’s Mitzi with Stevie.  Stevie was in very bad shape when Mitzi pulled him from the pound. He only had use of 3 legs due to a permanent injury to one leg, had serious skin infections and was totally deaf. 
He's now happy in his forever home!

 

So what’s on 3 Girls wish list for 2016 and how can you help?

1)      Donate.  It costs 3 Girls a minimum of $120 to save a dog and $89 per cat http://form.jotformpro.com/form/42637003824955  and while they have great relationships with their partner rescues in Colorado, Illinois and Connecticut, those organizations don’t reimburse for or share vetting or transportation costs.

 

2)      Network.  Do you know a rescue group that accepts healthy animals from out of state, maybe one that shares costs and fees? Do you know of organizations that can help bring low-cost spay and neuter to services to Poteau?  Do you have friends and family in Oklahoma or Arkansas that can foster or volunteer?

3)      Educate.  Share the story of 3 Girls Animal Rescue with your friends and network.  Do you have a contact or expertise that can help 3 Girls expand?  Share it!   Currently 3 Girls is funded through private donations, but they’d love to apply for grants – ideas are welcome!

4)      Shop.  PawsGo is honored to support 3 Girls with these market bags.  We created and produced them for 3 Girls, to help support their rescue efforts.  Bags are $20 each and you can find them through PawsGo (www.pawsgo.com) or 3 Girls Animal Rescue https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.923421431044402.1073741879.448255361894347&type=3  

        3 Girls is also  registered on Igive.com.
 

We rescue because these animals have so much love to give. We rescue because when we look into the eyes of the dogs and cats in those pens at the pound, we see souls. We see fear, where there should be joy, and we HAVE to help them –
                                                       3 Girls Animal Rescue…..

 

3 Girls Animal Rescue

P.O. Box 1001

Shady Point, Oklahoma  74956

 

Annaliese was part of a litter of pups the girls saved and drove to Colorado for adoption.  Here she is with Angela celebrating arrival and hope for a forever home.

 

 

Canine Education -- Good for Dogs and Humans

Why You Should Go to School With Your Dog

By Jean Card

Like many dog lovers, I once believed that love conquers all – that simply caring for my dog would lead us through any behavioral challenges.

 Then I got a dog.

 I was fortunate enough, at the time, to have a neighbor and friend who was a veterinarian and dog behavior guru – the owner of three champion Laikas with enough ribbons and trophies to fill a wall of bookshelves in her house!

My friend was more than willing to share her knowledge of what it really takes to have a great, well-behaved dog (instead of the incessantly barking, jumping, leash-biting, leash-pulling, yowling 10-month-old shelter puppy name Daisy that I had on my hands … without the first clue of what to do other than feed, pet and love her!).

From my veterinarian friend, I learned the basic value of things like crating, daily long walks and always rewarding positive behavior (“always carry treats!” she told me).

 My friend also taught me the importance of enrolling in actual training classes with my dog – something I now recommend to every dog owner I know.

 

Daisy and I have been through basic obedience twice – once at Pet Smart and once at Woofs in Arlington, Virginia – and have recently graduated to more intermediate skills in a Woofs tricks class last fall.

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With each class we take, the bond between us deepens and my ability to lead Daisy into the most desirable behavior is increased exponentially.

Here is just one example of what I’ve learned in class that I would never have known otherwise:

The most basic positive dog behavior – the foundation for all others – is voluntary attention and eye contact from your dog. This simple act of the dog looking at you and holding your gaze is something that should be rewarded with a yummy, tiny treat, over and over and over. Our work on this basic skill means that when we’re out on a dog walk and encounter an exciting situation (like a jumping, barking or lunging dog), I am more likely to be able to engage Daisy’s attention on ME and move past the situation without escalation.

 

Because of what we’ve learned in class (and practiced on walks and at home), Daisy and I are now ready to do even more fun things together – we’ll be taking an agility class soon, and we will continue to work on the skills needed to earn her Canine Good Citizen certification this year, qualifying her to be a therapy dog at local hospitals.

 

Going to school with your dog is the responsible thing to do, but it is also the most fun thing you can do as a dog owner and dog lover. For me, it has meant learning more about my favorite topic (Daisy and dogs!) and deepening my bond with my best canine friend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jean Card is a writer and dog lover living in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband Noel Card, their dog Daisy Sue, and their two cats, Ricky and Lucy.

 

A Nepalese Tradition Comes to a Dog-Loving U.S. Neighborhood

A Nepalese Tradition Comes to a Dog-Loving U.S. Neighborhood

By Leslie Duss

When photos of adorable dogs in Nepal decked in marigold garlands appeared in the news earlier this year, we thought it would be great to do something similar in our very dog-friendly neighborhood of Del Ray in Alexandria, VA.   After all, Del Ray is a haven for dogs. We imagined a parade of Del Ray dogs through town.

Earlier this fall, we honored Del Ray dogs in the Nepalese tradition called Kukur Tihar or Kukur Puja, the worship of dogs.

While in the initial planning phase for the event, our friends at doggiewalker.com referred us to neighbor and dog lover Susan Walke. Susan lived in Nepal and participated in Kurkur Tihar so she had first-hand knowledge about how it works and strong ties to the local Nepalese community in our area.

Several Nepalese community leaders celebrated with us and even donated all the marigold garlands that adorned each dog.

We met a small  “Pocket Park”, where the dogs had a chance to meet and sniff each other – and owners could chat.

We set up the marigold garlands according to size.

Mrs. Bandita Sharma Dahal spoke to everyone for a few minutes, telling us about the ritual we were about to perform. She said that dogs are honored as protectors of the home and also the messengers of Lord Yamaraj, the God of Death. Dogs are worshiped each year for Kukur Tihar and offered garlands, tika (the red powder) and special treats.

We decorated the forehead of each dog with colored powder (tika) as we presented them with their own marigold garland.

The group the paraded through our neighborhood.

Stopping for rests and water breaks along the way…

Finally making it to the local dog park

After all that walking and socializing, the dogs were ready for a nap!

Not only was this a fun event for everyone, we raised $540 for Nepal. The funds will be used to purchase a new set of clothing for 40 orphans in a town about an hour from Kathmandu. The Rotary Club will also prepare a special festival meal (for the Nepali festival of Dashain) for the children when they take them the clothes.

This post originally appeared in DIYDelRay.com.  For more information on how you can celebrate your dog and assist the Nepali community, please contact info@diydelray.com or leave a comment for PawsGo.

Here is more information on the festival -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tihar_(festival)

 

 

 

Selecting Your New Puppy -- Just Get the Cute One, Right?

 

 Recently, my family welcomed a new puppy into our home. Over winter, our two senior dogs passed away, and our current dog really missed having a housemate. We had a lot to consider before bringing home a new puppy. We already have an established routine with children, and our current dog, Bruce, a two-year-old Mountain Cur/Boxer mix. Not only am I a stay at home mother of four young children, I am a dog trainer, and I also raise SDIT (service dog in training) puppies for BFF Dog Training LLC. Once the service dog puppies have learned basic obedience with me, they go on to the awesomely dedicated service dog trainer, to be trained to behave as Diabetes Alert Dogs (DAD's). All of these are some very important jobs that I do not take lightly, and it was very important to me to make sure we made the right decision when it came to inviting the right new puppy into our lives.

 We can all guess some of the basic considerations such as time, money, housing and training. There's a couple of other things that people either don't give much thought to, or don't consider at all. What breed of dog would fit best in our household? Do I just want that specific breed because it looks cool, or because it would be the best match with my lifestyle? Where should I get my dog from? What are my goals for my dog? Do I want a couch potato, a workout buddy, a sidekick that travels everywhere with me or a dog to perform in competitions?

 

I'll bring you back to my situation as an example. I am a big fan of Australian Shepherds. That's not to say that I do not like other breeds, quite the opposite. I love so many different types of dogs and I'm a huge fan of mutts. However, I'm not an animal hoarder. I feel it's important to decide what specific breed has the most qualities, and traits that work best for me and my family. Keep in mind I have an eighty pound mixed breed, Bruce, that we adopted from the shelter. He's handsome, and awesome, but he's a naturally fearful dog. I've done a ton of confidence building and training with him which has made him a wonderful family dog. Knowing his strengths, and weaknesses, has helped me decided what I was looking for in his perfect housemate. I wanted a dog that would mature to be about 50-60 pounds. A female dog, to compliment him, since he's a male, and also for any other dogs that we would work with. (Sometimes I come across dogs that need help overcoming their issues with males, or female dogs.) A dog, that has a natural confidence, and drive, to balance out his lack of confidence, while not being intimidated by his stature. A dog that would rather stick with her pack, than follow her nose on a game trail. I wanted a dog that would be a best friend to everyone in my household, and help socialize the little puppies I raise. Aussie's are amazing because, they look soft, and friendly but can be fierce enough to take on cattle. Strategic, smart, agile, loyal and confident. That's what I was looking for.

 

I also wanted a dog that came from a reputable breeder. I love rescues, and will always have a rescue dog, but I also love reputable breeders. Breeders that want to ensure the quality of the dog, verses the looks and quantity for profit. Puppy mills are everywhere, and disguise themselves as innocent ads on Craigslist, Facebook, and in pet stores. When looking for a breeder you really need to research them. I had a few breeders in mind before my need for a new puppy came around, and by the time I was actually looking I had already done enough research to narrow it down to the very best one for me. That was over a period of years. Yeah, I'm a bit of a planner. ;)

As a dog trainer, I come across a lot of people that bought a puppy on a whim. They see a Cane Corso puppy, and they fall in love. Who wouldn't? They are adorable. But, they are a large guarding breed. They definitely need training, but beyond that they need a job. If you don't give them a job, they will be protecting your couch from your house guests which equals big trouble. Or the people that see the movie "Max", and fall in love with the Belgian Malinois. They are an amazing breed, but that doesn't mean they are a great fit for the average household. There's a reason their nickname is "Maligator". They were bred to use those chompers. How about Yorkshire Terriers? Sure, they small and super cute. I haven't met one yet that didn't have some major behavioral problems. It's a combination of people treating them like they are human babies, or toys, and bad breeding. Pocket pooches are a fan favorite of puppy mills. People love carrying their dogs in designer bags, and don't mind paying thousands for poorly bred, little dogs. You can look at any breed, and make generalizations about them which is why it's important to research your breed of choice, and research your breeder. What is the quality of the puppy they are turning out? 

Humans breed dogs in order to achieve or maintain specific characteristic traits. These traits go beyond appearance. They include things like prey drive, heightened sense of smell, endurance, amicability, resilience, confidence, speed, intensity, aggression, health, etc. There are even differences in a specific breed based on where they are from regionally. All of that happens because of breeding, and the lineage. When looking at a specific breed make sure to take into account what potential health problems could arise, and what level of training will be needed. Every dog is an individual, and they don't always carry every trait known to that breed but it's best to make sure to do your homework so no surprises arise. Adopting dogs from shelters, and rescues means you generally have no idea about the genetic make up. That doesn't mean that they are bad dogs. Most of my best dogs were adopted, and mixed breeds. Many shelters, and rescues do a wonderful job assessing the dog's personality, and behavior before making them available for adoption. When you are looking for a new dog don't get pressured by other people's beliefs. You have to find the right balance, and right fit for your existing household. Just make sure to really think about it before making the leap. Dogs are not disposable, you should be the forever home for your newly acquired dog.

Sarah Mahrle-Thomas owns Strive Balanced Dog Training in Oshkosh, WI. She and her husband have four young children and two family dogs -- Bruce and Ohana.
Is there a subject you're passionate about?  Send us your blog entry.  Email us at kaj2600@gmail.com, like us on facebook @pawsgo, send us a tweet @mypawsgo, or leave us a comment here!  We'd love to hear from you and share your passion!

PawsGo to Mount Vernon for a Dog's View of History

 

On a hot June morning, Boomer and I joined the All the President’s Pups tour of Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington.  While Mount Vernon is dog-friendly – dogs are welcome everywhere BUT the mansion, we took a special walking tour that’s a great combination of history and canine trivia.

We met our guide Maria, and 5 other history loving pups, at the estate’s Bowling Green Gate – with the mansion in the distance behind us, we embarked on a 1.25 mile walk along the original carriage route.



Hydrating pre-walk

As we walked, Maria explained that the Father of our Country was a tremendous animal lover – especially dogs.  Records show that Washington had numerous dogs representing every “classification” – hunting, herding, guard, coach, house, etc – each with a very specific job.

Our first stop on the tour was a visit to Mount Vernon’s sheep – a flock of rare Hog Island sheep charged the fence, excited to see the dogs.  http://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/farming/the-animals-of-mount-vernon/  Maria explained that the sheep were actually fond of people and attention, our half a dozen canines fit the bill. The dogs didn’t quite know what to do about the sheep – but appeared to be equally interested.

Devi Meets the Sheep of Mount Vernon

Along the route Maria told us that Washington was so fond of his granddaughter Nelly and her “house” dog (probably a Caviler King Charles Spaniel) that he bought a special decorative collar for the dog at the cost of $1 – a significant amount in the 1700s.

Washington loved his dogs and he was creative in their naming – including, Drunkard, Mopsey, Taster, Cloe, Tipsy, Tipler, Forester, Captain, Lady Rover, Vulcan, Sweetlips, and Searcher.

Hunting was THE sport in Washington’s time.  He had plenty of hounds to assist in the hunt.  A man of incredible intellect, interests and curiosity, Washington eventually set out to breed the quintessential hunting  dog -- “a superior dog, one that had speed, sense and brains.”   In the mid-1780s, Washington’s friend, the Marquis de Lafayette, sent him seven huge hounds from France.  Washington bred these French hounds with the standard black and tan hunting dogs and created what Washington called the Virginia hound, which we know today as the American Fox Hound.  So, not only is he the father of our country – Washington is the father of the American Fox Hound!

Following the original carriage route on our 1.25 mile walk

Following the tour, we wandered around Mount Vernon.  Lots of attention from visitors and Mount Vernon Staff. 

There were plenty of water bowls set out for dogs, but were we glad we brought our own – there is no water provided during the walk.

The All the President’s Pups tour started at 10:00 a.m., and took about 90 minutes.  It’s a leisurely walk with lots of stops.  The tour is held in the spring and fall.  Humans pay the full price of admission and dog tickets cost $5 each. http://www.mountvernon.org/plan-your-visit/buy-tickets/all-the-presidents-pups-walking-tour/

Beckett tired out from her tour

 

A great photo opportunity!

 

With the exception of the mansion, dogs are welcome throughout Mt Vernon

Keller: Speaking up for those who cannot

I met my friend Amanda at an Aussie Meetup out about a year ago.  She had the cutest and happiest dog – Keller.  Keller was oozing with personality.  Still in her puppy phase, I watched her romping around with the other dogs, having a blast, but always circle back to Amanda.  It was clear that Keller was a smart dog.  Our Meetup was at an indoor agility course and there was nothing that Keller could not do – she was literally jumping through hoops and bouncing over bridges, not an ounce of apprehension.

 Keller was as beautiful as she was smart – all white with little pops of color and THE sweetest face.  I was shocked when Amanda told me that Keller was deaf and had limited vision – you never would have guessed by watching her.

Sweet and active Keller is a double merle Aussie – it’s the result of breeding two merles.  Truthfully, it’s the result of ignorance.  Having had Aussies, I was familiar with the term – but it is a term also associated with Boxers, Great Danes, Shelties, any number of breeds. Puppies from merle to merle breeding have a 25% chance of being born deaf and/or blind.

Keller as a puppy, could you resist her?

Our dog Boomer, has unusual markings for an Aussie - he has a white head.  His markings are NOT the result of bad breeding, but I am often asked if he is deaf – he is not.

Amanda already had an Aussie named Kai, when like many of us, she was scrolling through Facebook and saw a picture of what she thought was cutest little puppy.  The puppy was searching for a home. The pup was a double merle.  She had been rescued from the breeder because the breeder who was responsible for her and created her disabilities was going to destroy her.

Unable to get this puppy out of her head – Amanda called and emailed the rescue group and learned that the puppy has deaf and possibly blind.  As nervous as she was, saving this puppy trumped any apprehension.  Soon, she and Kai were in the car making the two hour drive to pick up their newest family member.

Amanda, a vet tech, says owning a dog with "disabilities" is no different than owning her perfectly "normal" dog.   She says she is not sure when or how a stigma came to be around deaf or blind dogs, but they make wonderful pets.

Keller is testament that any dog can make a great pet if you give it love and train it to be what you want. Yes, Keller is deaf, and yes she is vision impaired, but that doesn't stop her from doing a single thing. Keller has completed 4 agility classes and an obedience class.   Keller swims, she hikes, she loves everything that any other dog loves.  Keller just does receives her information a little differently.  Amanda’s commands are all through hand and touch signals – rather than voice. Keller knows, sit, down, stay, come, spin, paw, drop it, crate and stand. She truly is a great example that dogs are capable of anything.

If Keller is the canine example that anything is possible through love and patience, Amanda is the human example that anything is possible through love and determination.

With Keller as her example, Amanda has set out to erase the stigma of deaf and blind dogs AND to educate the dog world on the dangers of merle to merle breeding – and eradicate the practice.

Harnessing the power of social media, Amanda  has a Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/Kellerthedm  where she can share the normality and some challenges of her double merle darling.  For instance, Keller’s regular eye exams are the source of understandable anxiety, we were all relieved when Keller’s exam yielded good news!  Amanda also recently launched an online campaign to make Keller Modern Dog Magazine’s cover girl  -- she placed in the top 10, a great platform to educate the dog public on double merles.

Amanda also created a website where the owners of double merle dogs can share their beautiful pups and dog lovers can learn more about these special dogs -- http://www.doublemerles.info/what-is-a-double-merle--1.html

 Most recently, Amanda has launched a petition through change.org  https://www.change.org/p/american-kennel-club-american-kennel-club-stop-ignoring-the-needless-death-and-suffering-of-puppies

 She is asking that the AKC ban the registration of a dog from merle to merle breeding. Arguing that it is an unethical breeding practice and should be banned as it has been in other countries – notably the UK in 2012.

Incredibly, Amanda is frequently attacked by those who choose to ignore science (and middle school biology) for her outspoken advocacy in support of her dog and the countless others who aren’t as lucky as Keller.

If you are moved by Keller’s story and Amanda’s determination, please take a moment to sign the petition and if you’re on Facebook check out Keller’s page.  Finally, if there is room in your home and your heart is open to it – consider adopting a dog as special as Keller.