In Long Island there is a very large no kill shelter called the North Shore Animal League. They are an amazing organization. I get updates from them regularly and have been trying to spread the word about adopting pets in need whenever I can. They have been involved in the fight to stop puppy mills and have been taking in dogs that have been taken out of their bad  homes. The most recent raid was from the Midwest. 204 dogs were just rescued from 13 different puppy mills. Here’s the Full Story. If anyone is interested in supporting this Animal league or to learn more how you can help you can check out their site.

What exactly is a Puppy Mill you ask? Well the stop puppy mills website defines them as this..

Puppy mills are nothing new. These mass dog-breeding operations have been around for decades. They continue to thrive because they prey on unwitting consumers who are smitten by too-cute-for-words puppies in pet store windows and on fancy websites.

But behind the friendly facade of the local pet shop, the pastoral scenes on a “breeder’s” website, or the neighborhood newspaper ad, there often lies a puppy mill. These canine breeding facilities house dogs in shockingly poor conditions. 

Life is particularly bad for “breeding stock,” dogs who live their entire lives in cages and are continually bred for years, without human companionship and with little hope of ever becoming part of a family. These dogs receive little or no veterinary care and never see a bed, a treat or a toy. After their fertility wanes, breeding animals are commonly killed, abandoned or sold to another mill. The annual result of all this breeding is hundreds of thousands of puppies, many with behavior and/or health problems

Some people will argue that puppy sales are a business just as people who breed livestock or chickens raise these animals to make money. But I certainly DO NOT see it this way. As a dog lover myself it completely disgusts me to imagine these poor dogs stuck in cages, never to see the light of day. Dogs are animals that give unconditional love, and the only thing they ask in return is food, shelter and a few pets and rubs along the way.

So how can we as individuals help??

1. Get an Education: Whether you’re thinking about getting a dog, want to educate others about puppy mills or just want to learn more, check out more information on puppy mills and puppy buying
2. Stop Puppy Mills on Your Website, and Join Our Facebook and MySpace groups: Add a “Stop Puppy Mills” or “Puppy Buyers Guide” bannerto your website, MySpace page, Facebook page or blog, and start educating visitors about the dangers of puppy mills and pet stores. Join our Facebook or MySpace groups, too! 
   We also have a Facebook application that’s benefitting The HSUS! Check it out here, or help dogs on Experience Project
3. Help make your local pet store “puppy friendly.”
   The Puppy Friendly Pet Stores initiative asks dog lovers everywhere to work with their local pet stores to encourage them to develop and implement “puppy friendly” policies by refusing to sell puppies in their store and supporting homeless pet adoptions instead. Stores that already do not sell puppies can sign up to show that they are taking a stand against puppy mills and to “make official” their policy of not selling puppies. Learn more here.
4.  Assist With Ads Help The HSUS place “Stop Puppy Mill” ads in national magazines and on billboards in communities around the country.
5. Forward to a Friend Know someone who is thinking about bringing a puppy into their family? Send them a message with a link to the Stop Puppy Mills website so they can read our puppy buying tips, sign the pledge and learn more about puppy mills.
6. Lobby for Better Laws Contact your federal and state legislators and let them know that you’re concerned about the inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills and want the puppy mill issue to be a priority for Congress. Ask them to expand the reach of the Animal Welfare Act to include kennels that sell large numbers of puppies directly to the public.
7. Speak Up Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper is a great way to get the word out about puppy mills in your community. Write your own version—a short, polite letter is most effective—or download a Microsoft Word version of the template that you can alter.
8. Furnish Your Vet With FlyersDownload and print these flyers and bring them to your veterinarian or groomer’s office: ”Getting a Puppy?” and “How to Find a Good Dog Breeder” are designed to help potential pet owners avoid puppy mills.
9. Donate
   Help The HSUS in our ongoing campaign to stop puppy mills. Please make a donation today.

I think the biggest thing is to be responsible. STOP buying dogs from pet stores, and make sure before you buy your dog that you are buying from a reputable breeder. Check out the American Kennel Club. They have lists of reputable breeders all over the country. And if you can find it in your heart, there are hundreds of dogs out there in shelters that are just wanted to be loved.  So here is my cause people. LET’S STOP PUPPY MILLS!

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Did you ever see that friends episode where Rachel gets fired by her babies pediatrician? No? Well Rachel has this baby and constantly calls the doctor asking him questions. Day or night she’d call him and eventually he fired her….I have always worried that that would be me when it came to my children, and each passing day shows me more and more that this could be true. People laugh, but when I was getting married I had a vendor that I was thinking of using tell me that they wouldn’t be “right” for me….pretty much meaning Damn lady you are crazy and I don’t want to work with you! But you know what? That was fine with me!

So yesterday I called the Vet to get Tinkerbell some tick prevention medicine. I had a friend who’s dog recently got 12 tics, and I certainly didn’t want that to happen to Tinkerbell because I was irresponsible. So I called, and tried to order Front Line. Yes I said tried…because the receptionist person decided that she was qualified to tell me that the heartworm medicine I am using would prevent from ticks. I then proceeded to tell her that it was no where on the box. She was baffled and had to check. She then told me that it protects from Dermacentor variabilisticks….I asked if that was what all ticks were called or if this was a certain type of tick….but she couldn’t answer that! So here is my question. Why didn’t this woman just say “I am not sure, let me ask the doctor”. That would’ve been just fine. What if I just went by her first statement and assumed that this medicine prevented from ticks…I’ll tell you where. Back at the vet with ticks in my dog! Finally I asked for the Vet to call me back. I should’ve just asked that in the first place.

That Vet finally called me back at the end of the day. She told me that my heartworm medicine does not protect against the type of ticks that cause Lyme disease, and that’s what we need to watch out for. She told me I needed a tick collar. Now, have any of you ever in the past 10-15 years heard of a dog wearing a tick collar? I certainly haven’t. My dog doesn’t even wear a collar. I was told when I first got her that small dogs do not wear collars for many reasons. One being that it could displace their trachea, and I learned that Pomeranians are very susceptible to this. So I told the vet that my dog, after 4 1/2 years will not wear a collar. She didn’t seem to like that answer. So I asked about front line. This is the medicine that every dog I know uses to protect from Ticks and fleas. I just never gave it to my dog because she was mainly an indoor dog. Now that I take her to the dog park sometimes, I wanted her protected. I was told I could use Front Line, but then I couldn’t use my current heartworm medicine…but mind you the kind I use I just put the liquid on the back of her neck. I had a heck of a time getting her to eat the pills, and she just wouldn’t do it, so this finally works. So I told the vet that. She didn’t like that answer either…so in the end we left it that I’d just continue doing what I was doing, and if she went to the dog park I just had to check her thoroughly for ticks. I am pretty positive that Vet hung up the phone and mocked me incessantly. But what am I to do? I probably got a big red mark in my dog’s chart that I am a irrational dog owner. GREAT!

In my opinion it’s ok to ask questions, and it’s ok to be vocal about what you are thinking. I have a feeling I may get fired from many service type people along the way. Oh well!

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As the weather starts to warm up (if only it would happen faster), the winter chill starts to disappear, and the days get longer, my little family embarks on a little tradition. After dinner is eaten and the kitchen in cleaned up we grab the leash and the little doody bags and take our Tinkerbell on a short walk. Our neighborhood isn’t that big, but it’s perfect for a 4 lb Pomeranian since her little feet can’t handle long walks. She gets so excited when she knows we are going to go outside. It’s funny how you can see excitement in a dog. She walks so proud as we make our loop around the neighborhood.

It’s also a nice time for me and my husband. I appreciate the fact that he walks with us. I find it’s a great opportunity to talk about our day (even though we talk to each other a million times throughout the day). And that’s one thing I love about us. We always have something to talk about or share.

So what is it that you love? Take this opportunity to let others know what makes you happy!

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A Couple of years ago I found out about this woman who was looking to get into pet photography. Her name is Christine Romano.  She is a seasoned photographer, and already ran a photography business (Christine Romano Photgraphy) but wanted to build her “pet photography” portfolio. So my husband and I brought our Tinkerbell to her first try at being a model. (I think she should be in movies and TV but so far no agents have approached us)  Our friends laughed, but Tinkerbell is our baby, and I have always wanted a professional to capture her in a photo so we can have it forever. So we did. It was such a great experience! Here’s our little girl! Every time I look at these pictures I smile. I of course bought a bunch for myself, these are just a few! Just imagine what will happen when we have our own children!

 I never really thought much about the good you could do with a talent for photography, but Christine also volunteers her time at an animal shelter, where she photographs the dogs and cats so that they can be posted online. This way, more people get to see these wonderful animals and hopefully take them home. I have a huge soft spot for shelter animals, or any animal that needs a good and loving home, but we can save that speech for another post. I think the fact that this woman’s passion can do some good for these little guys is partly why I love pet photography so much! Not to mention I love when the pictures get posted on facebook! What it also does it make me want more dogs, but my husband has put his foot down on that one! (click on the image to see bigger)

So there you have it! I LOVE pet photography! Do you have a little fur baby that want to have photographed? Well I am pretty positive Christine would love to hear from you! Let her know you heard about her from After the Alter!

So you can check out other things that people love at The Diaper Diary’s blog site! I’ll be sure to add my post over there too!

So what are some things that you love?

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I figured I would share my happy things with you! Maybe my things can remind you of some of your happy things, and if there is anything that can brighten up our days then we should let it in! (these will be in no particular order)

1. My husband: My husband is my best friend. We have been married almost a year and together for over 8 years, and over that time we’ve had our ups and downs, but through it all he has been my constant. He is always there for me, and he makes me smile. With out him I’d be lost
2. My Dog: Tinkerbell is 4 1/2 years old. I always knew I wanted a dog, but I never realized how much I NEEDED a dog. I always call her my savior because she was there for me during some down times. She is always happy when I come home, and she is always ready to be my friend. I would do anything for her and she knows it.
3. My family: I had the most wonderful childhood. When I look back on it I am left with only happy memories. Now, I am happy to say my family and I are so very close. Even though we are separated by some distance, I know they are always there. My mom is one of my best friends, and my dad is the best and most supportive dad a girl could ask for. It’s somewhat of a joke in our family but I speak to them both like 10 times a day. I love and respect them. My sister is also one of my best friends. She is always there when I need to talk, and I hope she knows I am there for her too. My brother is 6 years younger then me and is the most amazing person. He is kind and gentle, and I know that he would do anything for me. At this moment he is traveling Europe on his own…sometimes I think I live my life vicariously through him, since I know I could never do what he is doing.
4. Wine: Does it make me an alcoholic to say that wine makes me happy? I love sitting down during the evening and relaxing with my glass of wine. Sometimes my favorite thing to do is sit with my dog and my husband, watch our favorite shows, and indulge in a glass of wine.
5. Friendlys: I LOVE Friendlys! My husband calls it “just a bad diner”, but I call it Heaven! I crave the Grilled Cheese and French fries from Friendly’s, and if I am really fat that day I LOVE to eat their cyclones (which are now called Friendzee’s, but I will always call them cyclones). And if I am really fat I LOVE the munchie mania! They make the best cheese quesedillas!
6. My Home: I am a bit of a homebody. I am very happy being in my home…I love my old couch, I love that the house is new, I love my big bedroom, I love my closets and I love my bed.
7. TV: Yes I said it…TV makes me happy. I know it’s sad, but it’s true. I was going to put down a favorite show, but I realized that there are too many that I like! I wrote in a previous post about “martooni thursday” and that says it all…I love my time at night to sit on my couch and watch my shows. Some people have hobbies or activies that they like to do…me? I enjoy my TV!
8. The Beach: Although it’s hard to fathom sitting at the beach right now since it’s been the longest winter ever, but I love the beach. Growing up my family always went to the beach for 1 week in the summer. Those are some of my best memories. Now, my family gets a beach house every summer in New Jersey for week. I look forward to going every year. The beach is one of the things I actually like about Long Island. Long Island is great for about 3 months….June, July and August. The beach is so close! I don’t get to go as much as I’d like..and maybe it’s just the idea of the beach that makes me happy…but I do love the beach.
9. My friends: I have some great friends. I should say my husband and I have great friends. I love that Evan and I share our group of friends. Over the years they have all molded together. I love when they stop by, and I love when we hang out and do things together. They are wonderful people, and I know that they will be in my life for years to come.
10. My Wedding: Yes I know, it happened almost a year ago, but the memories live on. I love to relive it by looking at pictures, or our video. It makes me smile every time!

So let’s share! What makes you happy? Let’s start the day off thinking of happy things!

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