I love Extreme Pete and I just had to post this video of him. Isn’t he the coolest skateboarding dog EVER?

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Pet Passions: He loves the basics: food, sleep, and affection. He’s an avid sailer (see photos below), loves long walks, car rides and networking at the Pug Meetups.

Pet Peeves: When the kitty bugs him while he’s trying to get some serious sack time. Doorbells make him crazy, as he is determined to protect his family even though he’s never quite sure which way to go.

Breed: Pug

Home Turf: Austin, Texas

Age (at time of photo session): 6 years

In Moses’s case, The wrinkles are the window to the soul.

Story: Moses loves everyone, period. He’s a very personable, social and incredibly handsome Chinese Pug. When he was two years old, he lost his eyes while playing with a larger dog. The dog didn’t mean to hurt Moses, but he sustained injuries that resulted in him having both eyes removed. Don’t feel sorry for him though, he’s had a great life and he’s a very happy boy. Directly after the accident, Moses fell into a deep depression as it was undoubtedly confusing for him to understand why he couldn’t see anymore, he might have even thought he was being punished. His family rallied around him and nursed him through his physical and spiritual healing process, and in no time his spirits lifted, and then soared. Today, Moses lives in the moment and doesn’t spend one minute of the day feeling sorry for himself or being upset that he has no eyes. He’s too busy making new friends, begging for treats and taking time to smell, and then tinkle on the roses. For the past four years he’s been lifting the spirits of everyone who comes in contact with him. Moses has a positive outlook on life that reminds us all to live in the moment. We love him!

EVEN MORE ABOUT MOSES…

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Pet Passions: Prancing along the hike and bike trail, sleeping on fluffy blankets, and pulling all the stuffing out of plush toys!

Pet Peeves: Baths, loud noises, and little kids who try to pick her up.

Breed: Toy Poodle

Age (at time of photo session): 4 years

Story: Mini is a very sweet 10 pound toy poodle. Yes, she appears to be a bit of a prissy little thing, but she didn’t always sport this fancy do. She recently had a makeover and seems to have settled into her new look quite naturally. (Check out Mini in her wilder days in the video and photos below.) Miss Mini moved to Austin from the land of sleet and snow and has been enjoying the mild winters here in Texas. She likes to take long walks around Lady Bird Lake, and loves the attention when little kids come up to her and pet her ever so gently. But if those little kids try to pick her up, Mini lets them no that’s not an option!

Mini might look frail, but she’s a very athletic little pooch. Check out “Mini’s Holiday Adventure” video (Xmas 2005) below where she wears a stylish winter outfit while romping in the snow!

EVEN MORE ABOUT MINI…

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Ya just gotta love a dancing dachshund, it’s just too cute! My brother made me promise that I wasn’t about to join the dog dancing circuit with my doxie. I told him he didn’t have to worry, neither Martin nor I have any talent like this. It looks like fun, but I could never pull this off myself. I’d much rather be behind the camera than in front of it.

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This is my all time favorite dog video! It’s hard to understand how watching these two dance can make you feel so good inside. I think it’s because the dog looks so incredibly happy and you can tell how much they love each other. I think this is circa 2003, but I don’t know for sure. Enjoy!

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See larger image. (his greeting card)

Pet Passions: Playing with his brother Pablo and his toy, “Big Mamma” (see video).

Pet Peeves: When his 6 lb little brother, Tico the chihuahua, won’t play with him (which is ALWAYS!)And when his parents make him get off the bed, he’s not allowed but continues to sneak up there.

Breed: Standard Poodle

Age (at the time of photo session): 5 months

Story: Mozart and his 7 litter mates were brought to PAWS of Austin (Protection for Animal Welfare Services) when they were just weeks old. The puppies had been rejected by their mother and were in need of special care and feeding.PAWS got the word out quickly and found wonderful new homes for all 8 puppies and the mother!

PAWS of Austin is a great non-profit animal rescue organization that provides refuge for strays and unwanted companion animals. Donations are always needed so please visit www.pawsofaustin.org to find out how you can help. Today Mozart, a.k.a. MoMo, is a whopping 70 pounds and a very happy boy. We think his curly locks are Verysupercool!

EVEN MORE ABOUT MOZART… Still to come!

Buy his greeting card!

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See larger image. (her greeting card)

Pet Passions: Giving kisses at the nursing home.

Pet Peeves: When her brothers steal the prime snuggle spot in bed.

Breed: Rottweiler

Age (at the time of photo session): 2 years

Story: When Cassidy was rescued she had a very bad leg Rottilove Rescue funded her leg amputation and Lap Dog Rescue took her in to convalesce. Her new forever family fell in love at first sight and quickly helped Cassidy find her true calling; working as a therapy dog for the elderly. She is certified through Therapy Dogs International and now visits Assisted Living Homes regularly.

Cassidy loves people and is a favorite among the residents. Her Mom says, “It’s amazing how she connects with the residents. Their faces light up when they see her coming.” Cassidy is Verysupercool, and we’re so glad she got a second chance. Visit www.rottilove.org and www.lapdogrescue.petfinder.org to see more sweet dogs available for adoption or contact your local Rottweiler rescue group to find out more about this loving breed.

EVEN MORE ABOUT HOP-A-LONG CASSIDY…

Cassidy was a sweet girl and a delight to photograph. She gets around and has created quite a name for herself. Cassidy was recently the feature story in the United States Rottweiler Club magazine! See her full story below along with a couple videos of Cassidy. One where she is running and one where she is pulling her four-legged brother across the living room floor!

CASSIDY’S STORY By Lala Roberts - Breed Specific Legislation Committee

When I received the call from LapDog Rescue asking if they should take in a young Rottweiler who had to have her right front leg amputated at the shoulder, I said, “You will have a hard if not an impossible time adopting her out. Unless you personally want another house dog, I would not put her through the agony of amputation. She will NEVER find a forever home.”Have you ever been wrong and had to eat your words, but enjoyed every mouth full? Well that is exactly how I felt about my conversation with Lisa Matson of LapDog Rescue. Some of you may remember Lisa as the one who helped with all the Katrina and Rita flood rescues. USRC members and their friends were very generous in donating funds for kennel runs, vet bills, dog food and gas for travel to pick up these poor Rottweilers so they could find a temporary safe haven with Lisa. It is good to know that the funds are still helping house Rotties in need with the extra kennel runs. It was November of 2005 when an animal shelter in Plano, Texas sent out a post that they had a brother and sister Rottweiler needing to go to a Rescue League. The pups were around 5 to 6 months old and the female had a bad front leg.Another Rottweiler Rescue League picked up the two pups from the Plano Shelter and discovered that the female’s front leg was indeed bad, very bad. It was bent inward at the knee in an L-shaped turn and fused that way. She could not use it. Off to the vet’s and the future for this little girl was the misfortune of only having three legs. Her brother found a new loving home very quickly, while she went on to the animal hospital.

December 16, 2005 Sassy (Cassidy’s previous name) found a benefactor to handle the cost and she had her right leg removed at the shoulder. She did very well during recovery at a foster home and went to LapDog Rescue with Lisa in January, 2006.

Lisa promptly fell in love with her and tried to spend as much time with her as possible but when you have 5 to 50 rescues to tend to at any given time, individual needs are at a premium. Lisa listed her for adoption by putting out the word with her picture and bio on the internet while showing her off to everyone that came looking for a new family member. Not one person glanced at Sassy. She was very sweet and offered affection, but no one would even come and pet her. They walked right past her kennel run. Lisa was heartbroken. Days, weeks and months went by and no family for Sassy.May 15, 2006. Becky, from Austin, Texas was on the internet looking for a rescued Rottweiler for her friend who no longer had one in his life. Becky and her husband Chris have a male named Roddy but they had lost their 12 year old female Rottie the year before. They were not looking for another at this time because her death was still very sorrowful. Becky was searching the different rescue sites and came upon LapDog Rescue and up popped Sassy’s picture. Becky’s heart opened up as soon as she saw her face and fell in love. Then when she read about her adversity, she knew this was her girl. Becky talked with Lisa, filled out the adoption application and made an appointment to meet Sassy on the 20th.May 20, 2006. The first time Becky and Chris laid eyes on Sassy, she was running down the driveway with Lisa. What a site, ears flying in the wind and running full speed on three legs! After an introduction to their male Roddy, who was not impressed with another dog coming into his home but being the sweet boy he is, welcomed Sassy. She had finally found another brother and a loving family. Sassy was on her way ‘home’.Lisa called to tell me the great news. Lisa and I were so happy that I didn’t even need salt to eat my words! Thank goodness Lisa did not listen to my original advice. When the new family returned home, Becky began taking Sassy on walks around the area. Walking was harder for her than running and she sort of had to hop. “Come on Hopalong Cassidy”, Becky would say. The new name Cassidy was born. She still is a Sassy Cassidy though. After meeting her new vet and having more x-rays, it was discovered that her remaining front leg had a fracture as well as a fracture in her pelvic area. It was a reasonable guess that she had been hit by a car resulting in her mangled, now amputated leg. The vet said that she should not go down any stairs, but going up was fine.The problem with that order is that there are 150 steps to get down to the water from Cassidy’s new home. Well if there is a will, there is a way. Chris just carried her down to the water and the land below.Roddy loved to swim and retrieve things thrown in for him, but Cassidy wouldn’t go near the water. She was never forced to go in, but watching Roddy have so much fun was getting to her. She finally got her three feet wet and happily played in the wet stuff on the banks. She kept watching him go out further and she was getting frustrated to say the least. She couldn’t figure out how to get to him. She tried a few times but having only one leg in the front made it a bit hard to swim and she kept falling over. So she would just run as far as she could in the water. Then one day it happened, she was barking at him to come back and she just started swimming. She was so intense on getting the stick from him, that she just started swimming!

Now you cannot keep her out of the water and swimming after the ducks is a favorite game.Cassidy is a very smart girl and she catches on to things very quickly. Roddy was chosen to be in a movie so Becky was trying to teach him to bark on command. Roddy thought Becky was crazy but Cassidy was watching and she said ”WOOF” and looked for her treat. Very food motivated! She woofed every single time the hand signal was given.September 16, 2006. AKC Responsible Pet Owners Day. Becky decided to try the Canine Good Citizens test with Cassidy. She didn’t think her little tripod would pass but it would be fun. Remember that Cassidy is a very smart little girl. She did everything exactly right. The girl was wonderful. When she passed the test the crowd started cheering and Cassidy loved the applause so much that she had to go up and lick a person, showing that she was not only talented but sweet.That same day, Cassidy went through the agility course. It was just a fun run but again everyone started cheering when she finished. Up the A-frame, through the tunnel, over the 12 inch wide teeter and over the jump! Nothing fazed her. That’s called attitude! Things that she had never seen before - she just attempted and kept on trying until she made it. That’s called heart!

Roddy and Becky took pet therapy classes so he could go into ‘Assisted Living Homes’. Since Cassidy was a bit energetic Becky didn’t even think about her doing therapy work. After Roddy graduated the therapy class, they started going to one home on a regular basis. Poor Cassidy didn’t get to go. Roddy was off to do filming for a movie and the regular visiting day was nearing. Becky received permission to bring Cassidy to the home as a stand in for Roddy. Everyone fell in love with her. One lady said, “Look at her face, her eyes, she can read you.” To see her with the people is a delight. She was never afraid of any of the equipment, the wheelchairs, carts, walkers, etc.., nothing bothered her. She was in her element. There is only one thing she likes and loves as much as food – affection. So her ‘mission’ was found.

Besides greeting and kissing everyone in the home, Cassidy does a trick that is a favorite among the residents. Becky will ask her to sit and then throw treats all around her while saying ‘leave it’. Again, cheers from the audience and Cassidy basking in the glory as she waits to retrieve her treats.January 27, 2007. Both Roddy and Cassidy have been tested and passed by Therapy Dog International. With this certification Becky can now take them to more assisted living homes and even visit hospitals, etc.Cassidy and Roddy are both getting into programs designed to help kids that have trouble reading. This is a program where the children read to the dogs. Cassidy also does tracking, luring and air scenting. No, she hasn’t been on the Schutzhund field yet. But hey, she just turned two.

Cassidy has no limits and it will not surprise anyone what she will be able to accomplish in the future.No one knows Cassidy’s background, she is a Rescued Rottweiler. There are many more Rotties out there that need a second chance. With the onset of so much Breed Specific Legislation many more Rottweilers are winding up in shelters and rescue. LapDog Rescue has a four year old female that had a fracture in her pelvic area and has been in rescue over a year. She desperately needs a loving home. Her name is Sweet Pea. Who knows, she may be the one to help little Johnny learn to read. You can see Sweet Pea or make a donation at www.lapdogrescue.petfinder.org .Cassidy and her family have been invited to attend the Heartland Rottweiler Klub’s South Central Regional Sieger Show and Regional Schutzhund Championship in November. You all are also invited to come to Dallas and meet this amazing Rottweiler.

Editor’s Note:Thank you Lala for this story. Breed Specific Legislation affects us all and is in everyone’s back yard. When BSL slips through in a community, it has the impact of not being able to own a Rottweiler in that community. Your USRC BSL Committee is Lala Roberts, Chrissie Kovacs, Alex Wisienski & Andreas Mueller. bsl@usrconline.org

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See larger image. (her greeting card)

Pet Passions: Swimming, tennis balls, swimming, sticks, swimming, frisbee, swimming and doing her exercises (see video below).

Pet Peeves: Watching younger dogs swimming after sticks that don’t even know how to do it!

Breed: Labrador Retriever

Age (at the time of photo session): 13 years

Story: Wenge was a purebred black lab who never did one bad thing in her whole life! She was named after a black wood that grows in Africa and it’s pronounced “Weng-gay”. We always tell everyone it’s like Bengay with a W. Wenge’s nick names include; Summer Sanders, Wungie, Pumkin, PummyG, and Water monster. We had her since she was just a few weeks old and we watched her grow old so gracefully. She was an amazing athlete and could swim faster than most dogs half her age! Wenge was just a sweet senior. People would stop in the neighborhood when we were on our walks to admire her wise old snowy muzzle.Her joints started to give out despite the great supplements she was taking. Acupuncture worked for a while and really helped her spine and overall joint flexibility. See her photo below.

Wenge’s first acupuncture treatment

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