I’m often asked why I love Saint Bernards so much.  I really seem to struggle with a good, concise answer.  To be honest, I have always been drawn to them, their size and fluffy fur despite being from the generation that refers to Saint Bernards as “Cujo” (yes I know that dates me).  These days kids/people see them and shreek out “BEETHOVEN” – yes, just like Beethoven.  This of course is immediately followed up with “does he slobber as much as Beethoven?”  They do drool, but not like that!

One day I was going through a box of old photos and I came across this old 8×10 black and white photo from my first Christmas.  My dad is holding me next to my first present, Bernie the GIANT stuffed Saint Bernard.

Even though I didnt have my first “real” saint until I was in my 30′s, I think I’d have to say my love of saints was definitely imprinted on me from birth.  Thanks Daddy!

The second photo is of me when I was about 18 months old with the same Bernie.  I had that stuffed animal for several years.  I dont know what ever happened to it though.

Next week is a big week for Saint Bernard fanciers across the US. The Saint Bernard Club of America will be holding their annual National Specialty Show the week of September 11-18th in Findley, New York at the lovely Peek ‘n Peak resort. Many of the top American Saint Bernards will be there competing, their owners will be socializing and attending a multitude of personal seminars on showing, breeding and health concerns.

This will be my first year going to Nationals and I’m so excited to go!  Although I won’t be there the entire week, I will be there for several days.  I will be there in time to watch Sweeps.  I can’t wait to meet up with some of my friends from Crufts (England, March 2011).  I’m planning on attending some of the seminars, socialize, photograph and basically drool over the gorgeous dogs.  I’m am also bringing my traveling buddy Rufus. Better dig out his doggles and traveling hat!

See you all in a few days!

Wildfires continue to ravage drought stricken Texas in one of the most devastating outbreaks in Texas history. Over 1000 homes have been burned to the ground leaving families and their animals homeless. VCA Animal Hospitals have graciously offered to help by boarding pets effected by the wildfire’s destruction. Below is a listing of participating vet hospitals for those of you who reside or have family members living in Texas who affected by the raging wildfires. Thank you VCA!!!!! You are Texas sized angels!

If you are advised to evacuate please do so. Don’t leave your animals behind if you can at all help it, they most likely can not survive on their own. For the rest of us, this is a good reminder to have a disaster readiness plan for our families and pets in the event of an emergency. Do you know what you would do?

VCA ANIMAL HOSPITALS OFFER FREE BOARDING FOR PETS
AFFECTED BY TEXAS WILDFIRES

To help those affected by the fires in Texas, VCA Animal Hospitals today announced that VCA facilities located in the areas surrounding both Austin and Houston are offering free boarding assistance for companion animals whose families have lost homes or have been evacuated. “For residents affected by these devastating wildfires, VCA is continuing to assist them by providing free pet boarding so they focus on the safety and welfare of their families and homes,” said Art Antin, Chief Operating Officer of VCA Animal Hospitals. “During this difficult time, families can keep their pets safe and comfortable with VCA’s free boarding offer.”

VCA Animal Hospitals located in and around Austin and Houston can provide safety and security for affected family pets on a space available basis as long as firestorms persist. The following VCA hospitals are participating in the free boarding program:

Boarding assistance for pets is based on space availability at participating hospitals and owners can call their local VCA in advance to ensure that the facility has space available to accept additional pets. Contact information for the participating VCA Animal Hospitals near the wildfires can be obtained at www.vcahospitals.com.

About VCA Animal Hospitals

VCA Animal Hospitals operates more than 530 animal hospitals in 41 states across the nation in the VCA network. The hospitals are staffed by more than 2,000 fully qualified, dedicated and compassionate veterinarians and more than 200 board-certified specialists. VCA Animal Hospitals provide a full range of general medical and surgical services as well as specialized treatments. For more information on VCA Animal Hospitals, visit www.VCAHospitals.com, or find VCA on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/VCAAnimalHospitals or on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/VCAPetHealth.

Here is the link to the the Texas Forest Service for more information on fires in your area. There are a few names and numbers of ranches that have available boarding for horses floating around on facebook as well. If you know of anyone that can help, please feel free to post the information in the comments section.

Photograph by L.M. Otero, AP

The Happy Dogs Bedtime Prayer

“Now I lay me down to sleep,
The queen-size bed is soft and deep.
I sleep right in the center groove,
My human being can hardly move.
I’ve trapped her legs,
She’s tucked in tight,
And here is where I shall pass the night.
No one disturbs me or dares intrude,
Till morning comes and I want food.
I sneak up slowly and it begins,
My nibbles on my human’s chin.
She wakes up slowly and smiles and shouts,
“You darling beast! Just cut it out!”
But mornings here and its time to play,
I always seem to get my way.
So thank you Lord, for giving me,
This human person that I see.
The one who holds me tight,
And shares her bed with me at night!”

~unknown

OMG!  This is the COOLEST beer ever!  Bon Securs is brewed made by Brasserie Caulier in Belgium and every bottle has a Saint Bernard on it. Of course they dont sell it here in the US, believe me, I investigated.

The Saint in their advertising looks like my Brutus!  Maybe Brutus and Rufus can have their own beer……. hehehe

Every Sunday, the good Father Baudelot celebrate the Office in the Chapel of Our Lady of inter-wood in the village of Bonsecours. It was built by loggers in honor of the Virgin Mary who had miraculously preserved from the plague.

The story goes that on his way home, the father always used to stop in some small taverns … to enjoy his favorite beverage. He spent long convivial evenings listening to the pilgrims.

These evenings were well watered so it was finally his Saint Bernard bringing him back in the early hours on the road to the Abbey …

So in tribute to the father Baudelot we have taken the tradition of monks Brigittines, and we wanted to highlight the Saint Bernard.”

~ History of Brassier Caulier

Here’s a link to the FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration Pet Food and Supplement Recalls.  To keep your pet healthy and safe, you should check it every month to make sure your food, treats or supplements are not listed.

LINKY

Most recent recalls – links to FDA press releases

• August 08, 2011Merrick Pet Care Recalls Doggie Wishbone (Item #29050, Lot 11031 Best by 30 Jan 2013) Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
• June 03, 2011Bravo! Issues Nationwide Recall of Bravo! Pig Ears Dog Chews Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
• May 17, 2011Boss Pet Recalls Pig Ear Products Because of Possible Health Risk
• May 17, 2011BLACKMAN INDUSTRIES, INC. RECALLS PRIMETIME BRAND 2 CT., AND 5 CT. PREMIUM PIG EARS AND KC BEEFHIDE BRAND 20 CT. PREMIUM PIG EARS BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE SALMONELLA HEALTH RISK.
• May 03, 2011Keys Manufacturing Company, Inc. Recalls Pig Ears for Pet Treats Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk
• March 08, 2011Jones Natural Chews Co Recalls Pig Ear Dog Chews Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

Whew… none of our goodies are on the list!

An oldie but goodie.  I just had to share the hahaha! (no, none of the dogs are mine

I have spent the  last two days working on fixing broken stuff on my blog.  I hadn’t realized there were sooooo many photos missing from the first year or so of my blog – tacky!.  When I first started out I used blogger to host my blog and all my pictures were stored on photobucket.  I deleted my photobucket account a few years ago and didn’t even think about the pictures being stored there.  It took some doing and some long over due maintenance, but all the photos have been uploaded and you wont see anymore “image or video has been moved or deleted” in my old archived posts.

I am also toying around with the idea of changing up my header.  I have contacted a graphic artist friend to see if she would do something for me.  I figure its about time for a little upgrade. There’s lots of good stuff coming in the next few months!

Guess who is on the front cover of the Aug/Sept issue of the Pickertington Magazine?!  Thats right…. My boys!  I cant tell you how excited I am.  I took the photo of them a few years ago a the event and the magazine emailed me a few months ago asking if they could use some of my pictures from the event.  Sure!  So they put the put  Brutus and Rufus on the front cover!!!!  Now they are print stars as well as internet stars!

Last night was this years event.  It was hotter than blazes so we didnt stay too long.  But he the boys went and mingled with the other dogs, bunnies, horses and even a snake.  One of the first set of dogs we encountered were Saint Bernards!!!!

Unfortunately not a single one of my pictures turned out.  I must have hit the manual focus switch on my lens… sigh!