The Bluebird Patch

I have a Cocker Spaniel at home that is 12 years old. He suffers from severe hip dysplasia a n abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. The dysplasia is so severe that at one point he lost all mobility. He was basically a paralyzed dog. It was heartbreaking hearing him cry because he couldn't move or walk to his food bowl. We had to put him in diapers and put dog pads because he couldn't go outside. He was in so much pain that at one point he didn't want anyone to touch him. I immediately went online searching for a solution and started educating myself about pet products with hemp or cannabis oil. 

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyPetMyStar #CollectiveBias As an avid animal lover, and Georgia SPCA volunteer I'm thrilled to be able to partner with Kroger and Purina Dog Chow Natural , for today’s Easy No-sew Recycled Dog T-shirt DIY . Dogs and cats are blurring the lines between “pets” and people. People like me, consider dogs and cats as individuals. My “pets” play a unique role in my family. They are part of our emotional life and their role is much deeper than just companionship. They are family and will always hold a special place in our hearts.  Having four "pets" at home can add up quickly, especially if you are also bringing dogs and cats from the shelter to foster. In order to save some money I have learned a few tricks and today's DIY is one of my favorites.

Suwanee, Ga (October 27, 2015) - The Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Georgia SPCA) is excited to announce that one of its longtime volunteers, Charlie Yaeger, will be celebrating his 100 th birthday at the upcoming pet adoption event held at PetSmart’s Lawrenceville location (875 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road) on Sunday, November 1 st from 11 am - 3pm. Charlie is a retired aircraft engine designer who has lived all over the United States before settling in the Atlanta area to be closer to his children after the passing of his wife, Madeline.  Charlie and his family have been ardent supporters of the SPCA and animal welfare causes. He has always had pets, mostly dogs in his life, including a rescue, a black lab puppy who has gone down as the most memorable family pet. Charlie lives independently, still drives a car, and loves to participate in pet adoption events and other shelter activities where he feels he can be of any help. He attributes...

The best thing about living in Atlanta is how much everyone loves their dogs! ATLANTA (October 13, 2015)  – Who let the dogs out?  The Atlanta Botanical Garden doesn’t know but happily will welcome them inside its iron gates Saturday, December 5  –  just this one day of the year – for the much-anticipated Reindog Parade. During the eighth annual event, which begins at 11 a.m., pups clad in their finest holiday attire will parade across a stage before a panel of judges to compete for prizes -- or just to show off for fun. Categories include Best Puppy, Best Adult, Best Botanical, Best Dog-Owner Dress-alike, Best Dog Pack, and ultimately, Best in Show. Emceeing the competition will be Atlanta resident Victoria Stilwell, host of the Animal Planet cable TV show “It’s Me or the Dog,” and Atlanta TV and radio personality Holly Firfer. A Doggie Expo will offer canine-related products, services and information, and participants may have photos of t...

PAWmazing News!  DOG ADOPTION FEES WAIVED ALL DAY ON AUGUST 26, 2015   ATLANTA, GA – (August 25, 2015) – LifeLine Animal Project, the nonprofit which recently pledged to have its county shelters reach no-kill levels by the end of 2016, invites everyone to celebrate National Dog Day with free adoptions!  Adopt a dog on August 26 at any of LifeLine’s shelters, including DeKalb County Animal Services, Fulton County Animal Services or LifeLine’s Dog House, and the adoption fee will be waived!  Standard screening criteria still applies to ensure the dogs go to good homes. According to LifeLine Animal Project CEO Rebecca Guinn, National Dog Day is a great time to adopt a dog, because shelters typically have the highest intake of dogs during the summer.  “With 30 to 40 animals entering the shelter daily, we need public support to help us save lives,” says Rebecca.  “By waiving adoption fees on National Dog Day we hope to see a record number ...

With summer upon us travel abounds. Bathing suit – check; sunscreen – check; big straw hat – check. But don’t forget fido -  Barking Hound Village’s Owner David York can help REDUCE YOUR travel stress with these eight great tips. Leaving fido behind? The newest Barking Hound is located at 3080 Sylvan Road - just minutes from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This 10,000 square-foot boarding facility keeps hounds happy with grooming services, luxury suites and all day free-play daycare. As a convenience to weary travelers,  Barking Hound Village  Airport offers extended hours from 6 a.m. to midnight to accommodate early departures and late arrivals with a separate entrance so not to disturb other overnight guests. 1. Before you travel, make reservations. If you need to arrange overnight accommodations, make sure the pet-only rooms are also non-smoking rooms. Also, request a ground-floor room. This is convenient for late-night potty r...

Animal Emergency Center of North Fulton is hosting their 2nd annual Pet Fire Safety and Disaster Preparedness event to help educate the public about pet fire safety and disaster preparedness. Home fires are the most common disaster and also the most preventable. According to the United States Fire Administration, an estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by fires. The best way to protect your pets from the effects of a fire is to include them in your family plan. This includes having their own disaster supplies kit as well as arranging in advance for a safe place for them to stay if you need to leave your home. In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them, too. National Pet Fire Safety and Disaster Preparedness event is open to the public and no charge to attend! Sunday, July 12th from 12:00pm until 4:00pm. Again there are no fees to come down and enjoy a nice day with your pets and family....

The other day I came across with a cute story about an autistic girl and her therapy cat Thula. Her name is Iris Grace, a 5 year old with an extraordinary talent to express herself through painting. Many art experts are comparing her to Monet, founder of French Impressionist painting, and the most consistent and prolific practitioner of the movement's philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature, especially as applied to plein-air landscape painting. Iris Grace parents disclosed on their website that they have been encouraging Iris to paint to help with speech therapy, joint attention and turn taking. "Then we  realized  that she is actually really talented and has an incredible concentration span of around 2 hours each time she paints. I make up some cups of very watery paints, she chooses which one she would like to use and gets me to make more when she needs it and she mixes her own colours from mug to mug. Her autism has created...

Because emergency action plans for your family should include your animals, the Animal Emergency Center of North Fulton hosted a safety event on July 13, to help educate the public about pet fire safety and disaster preparedness. Home fires are the most common disaster and also the most preventable. According to the United States Fire Administration, an estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by fires. The best way to protect your pets from the effects of a fire is to include them in your family plan. This includes having their own disaster supplies kit as well as arranging in advance for a safe place for them to stay if you need to leave your home. In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them, too. Attendees learn how to perform CPR on pets, s ome first aid treatments, obedience training, dental care, and diet and nutrition tips. The Georgia SPCA had a offsite pet adoption....

Animal Emergency Center of North Fulton is hosting a safety event to help educate the public about pet fire safety and disaster preparedness. Home fires are the most common disaster and also the most preventable. According to the United States Fire Administration , an estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by fires. The best way to protect your pets from the effects of a fire is to include them in your family plan. This includes having their own disaster supplies kit as well as arranging in advance for a safe place for them to stay if you need to leave your home. In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pets is to evacuate them, too. National Pet Fire Safety and Awareness event open to the public! Sunday, July 13th from 12:00pm until 4:00pm. There are no fees to come down and enjoy a nice day with your pets and family.  We have invited the local American Red cross, fire and police departm...

Have you heard of Theo and Beau? The napping duo are an internet sensation due to all the adorable gorgeous and utterly charming, pictures posted by mom Jessica Shyra on her blog  Momma'sGone City . Jessica explains on her blog: “ The wonderful way that the world has responded to the photos that I took on my cell phone and shared on Instagram-something that I have been doing for years as an individual, a mother, an amateur photographer, and a blogger-has changed us all. I’m humbled that our story and the relationship that Theo and Beau share has brought peace, joy and love to so many around the world. Theo the puppy (part-German Shepherd, part-Shar-Pei) didn’t have a home until he was rescued by Beau, a twenty-three-month-old toddler, and his family from an animal shelter in Santa Cruz.  The two of them instantly became the best of friends. Each day, at nap time, Theo waits patiently for Beau to fall asleep, then curls up next to or on ...

There's a new fundraising event here in Atlanta that is meant to benefit our furry friends. Hooters sponsors events around the country, playfully dubbed “Hooters for Neuters,” aimed at raising awareness of the necessity and importance of spay/neuter procedures for pets. The fundraiser takes place Tuesday, February 25 th from 5-8pm at the Hooters at Cumberland location. There will be various pet adoption and shelter organizations represented at the event- one of whom is Canine Cellmates . They are a non-profit jail dogs program that pairs shelter dogs with carefully screened Fulton County jail inmates for an 8-week period, during which time basic command and potty training is given to the dog in hopes of making him/her a more attractive adoptee. The program is transformative for both dog and inmate and both parties reap the benefits of their time together. Hooters has generously agreed to donate $1 to Canine Cellmates for every flyer that is printed out and brought ...

   DO YOU BELIEVE IN KARMA? Today is one of those days the universe likes to play tricks on me.  After leaving my daughter at school I saw a dog running loose in the middle of Peachtree Parkway. I followed the dog in my car until he disappeared into a wooded area. At that point  there wasn't anything left I could do. It was freezing, I did not have a leash and I was wearing...a summer dress. I turned the car around, and as I was heading home, the dog reappeared and crossed to the other side of the highway. With horror I saw how a car almost hit him so I decided to follow him one more time. Luckily this time with a little patience I was able to make the dog get inside the car.   Once I took a good look at him I realized that he was a Pitbull.  OMG! What have I done... First thought was Liza keep calm, dogs can smell fear.

Did you know during the month of December if you donate to Georgia SPCA you can double the impact of your gift? A very generous GA SPCA supporter is matching all donations received in December, up to a grand total of $20,000. That’s a LOT of tender loving care for our dear shelter pets! You can make a contribution in  honor or memory  of a special person or pet. You can give to  Compassionate Hearts , the fund for our rescues with special medical needs. We can create a personalized web fundraising   page for you, that you can share wih family and friends to help raise funds in honor of your birthday or another special event or occasion. You can make a contribution to the  general shelter fund  that supports our adoption center operations. You can become a  Sponsor for our Run for the Rescues 5K  this spring and automatically become a sponsor at twice the amount.