ACS DOGSWALK 2007

Well we did it. Sunday a group of us and our beloved dogs walked in the American Cancer Society's 15th Annual Dogswalk. It was beautiful, very, very chilly day. We as a team raised over $900 dollars! You can still donate by clicking on the link on the left. Enjoy the picture!

From left- Mike and Smartie Jones, Elaine and Abby Einstein, Sabrina and Annie Serio, Michelle and Tom Jones and Jerry "The Mighty Quinn" and Marianne, Lucy, Johanna And Boots DiNardo.

Not pictured- Paul who was getting all the dogs to look at the camera. Or at least trying to!

Welcome To The Family ABBY EINSTEIN

On May 3rd my parents picked up their new addition: a Golden Retriever pup named Abby Einstein from Philadelphia. She joins Smartie Jones, my parents' 3 year old Golden Retriever. Abby is eight weeks old and is a bundle of energy. (More than my Border Collie pup Jerry)- Watch out world!!!

Top left- Abby

Top right- Abby biting off more than she can chew!

Middle- Abby and Smartie

Right- Abby and Jerry examining the camera

P.S. Don't worry Tom was there too but he was too busy working on his agility to pose for the camera.

Do Border Collies Really Sleep???

Here is a picture of Jerry and Tom after a long walk at FDR Park. And, yes they are really napping! Tom has become such a good big brother protecting Jerry. Jerry likes to be the boss though and pushes Tom around biting his neck and hanging there. He also steals all of Smartie's toys and bones. Jerry has had a few time outs already to give Tom and Smartie a break! Looks like we have a new alpha around here. We can't wait until my mom gets her new puppy. Things will be quite interesting.

Introducing- Jerry--->"The Mighty Quinn"

Allow us to introduce the newest member of our family

Jerry "The Mighty Quinn."

Born January 27th, he joins his half brother Tom Jones our other Border Collie who is 18 months old. They both come from a line of highly respected herding dogs as their own dad is top dog in the country for herding. Although we have no sheep here they both will be kept very busy doing agility, learning tricks and herding each other I'm sure- as well as being wonderful additions to our family.

Paul and I were both quite terrified about having a puppy but I must say after only a few hours at home, Jerry settled right into eating, playing AND WENT TO THE BATHROOM OUTDOORS!!!!! He is now sleeping peacefully in his crate next to Tom's. Maybe we will get through the rest of the night without interruptions. It is already 2 am! I will keep you posted.

American Cancer Society Dogswalk 2007

Smartie Jones

On May 6th, Paul, Tom and I along with colleagues and friends will be walking in the American Cancer Society Dogswalk at Bear Mountain State Park. We will be walking to raise money for cancer research in humans and animals! Please click on the link below or on the left to join our team and walk with us or to make a donation to support the cause. Thank you so much.

American Cancer Society Dogswalk 2007

Here are some snapshots of us last year.

Marianne & Boots, Michelle & Smartie

Moxon & Smartie

A Sad Day

This past Saturday I arrived at my parents' house in the Bronx after work to find an abandoned sick dog laying in the driveway. Two neighbors were trying to help the dog who apparantly was having difficulty walking and had swollen eyes and a scraped nose. I tried calling the ASPCA whose number was disconnected. We then tried 311 an emergency response number in NYC but was told there was a call in already for this dog. There was only one Animal Control Unit for the entire 5 boroughs and he was out on a call. One neighbor then called an shelter in Mt Vernon but was told to take him to a vet in Mt. Vernon but he had to be there by 2:00. It was almost 2 and we tried but could not get him into the car.

We along with my dad stood outside in the cold with the dog trying to comfort him. We fed him and gave him water and my sister brought out two blankets because he was shaking. We waited and waited. This poor dog. He was a Neopolitan Mastiff as per our neighbor and didn't look like he had missed any meals. He was quite heavy. We also noticed that his nails on his back paws were quite long as if he were an indoor pet. Where were his owners? We later learned he had been wandering all day in the neighborhood. People had fed him and had called in for help but no one came. This poor dog was to be left to freeze to death in the streets. No one knew this dog and everyone knows everyone's dogs in the neighborhood. We had been waiting outside for over two hours now calling and calling anyone who would answer. Where was the help? We felt helpless. I was so afraid he would die right there on the street. This dog we nicknamed Bear because everyone that passed us had to look twice because of his size and coloring. He was a gorgeous brown with goldish flecks. I had never seen a dog like him and he was so friendly.

Finally, Paul came and the animal control van showed up soon after. Animal Control drove right by us and all 6 of us ran into the street flagging him down. He came and took one look at the dog and told us the heartbreaking news. The dog we had named Bear was most likely to be put to sleep due to his inability to walk and his age. The Animal Control man was kind and gentle with him and said that sometimes people let their pets loose when they get old or are too costly to take care of. At that moment I said my good-bye, my heart was broken and I was so upset I couldn't stay any longer. Paul and the neighbors made sure that the dog was into the truck and I went back into the house feeling like I let the dog down. I wish I could have done more. I wish someone could have helped us and Bear. I wish NYC had a better system to take care of animalsand that Bear didn't have to die but I am glad we were with him at the end and that he didn't die alone in the street.

Shame on mE

I have gotten several complaints that I have not posted a picture of our dog Tom Jones. He is so smart and very active. He is working very hard on agility and being a fabulous pet. Yes, Kim I said fabulous- take note! Here are some cute pics of Tom and his best friend Smartie Jones, my parents' Golden Retriever. There is also pictures of Tom and our old dog Ranger. We had to put Ranger to sleep in November due to cancer. We miss her so much and so does Tom.

Happy Halloween

Ranger as a witch and Tom as Batman!

Tom misses his buddy Ranger :(

Ranger was rescued from North Shore 13 years ago after being abused and giving birth to a litter of pups before she turned one. She was a very aggressive dog but after several sessions of socialization classes was able to get along with Smartie and Tom. She was very motherly to both of them and I am sure they both miss her. Known as the "Pig on Stilts," and "Yoda," she was quite the character and was as spiteful as they come at times. She was a great friend and Paul and I with my parents and sister miss her dearly.

Tom and Smartie

Trouble times two!