One By One

 One By One

One by one, they pass my cage
a little old dog, arthritic with age
way past prime; can't run or play
they shake their heads and go away


I once had a home,  once had a bed
a place that was warm , where i was fed
now my muzzle is gray and my eyes fail
who wants a dog so old and frail

My family decided that I didn't belong
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong
Whatever excuse they made in their head
can't justify how they left me for dead

And when I came to the end of my rope
You looked at my face, and i finally had hope
You saw thru the gray, and the legs bent with age
and felt I still had life beyond this old cage

You took me home, gave me food and a bed
shared your own pillow with my poor tired head
We snuggled and played and you talked to me low
you love me so dearly you want me to know

I may have lived most of my life with another
but you outshine them all with a love so much stronger
and I promise to return all the love I can give
to you my dear person, as long as i live

It may be with for a week, or for many years
we will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears
and when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart will grieve

When I arrive at the bridge, all brand new
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you
And then I will brag to all those who will hear
of a person who made my last days so dear.

Author:  Unknown

October 1, 2014 Meeting Pictures

Pet Waste Bags

Is anyone is interested in Pet Waste bags as described below, I can order them for us and the more we purchase, the better the cost.  I use these bags and find they are excellent. Please let me know as soon as possible so I can place an order.  I will place an order in mid October.  You can email me or call me.  Please tell me how many boxes you want, your name, address and phone number on your message.  Thank you.   Carene

Here is a description of the bags:  

• Size: 8" w x 12.75" h
• Quantity: 200 Bags on a Roll per Box
• Minimum order: 4 Rolls 

SAVE with Volume Discounts!

We will have Fl. state tax and shipping costs for ground shipping 

Quantity (200 bags/roll)	Total Qty Bags	Price per bag	Total Price	You SAVE
4	800	5¢	$40
10	2000	3.2¢	$64	36%
40	8000	2.5¢	$200	50%
100	20000	2.5¢	$500	50%
400	80000	2.38¢	$1904	52%
500	100000	2¢	$2000	60%

They are degradable*, extra strong, and thicker than grocery bags. Dog Walkers like them, so they will use them! They don't split or break like thin bags, provide superior leakage control and odor control and are twice as thick as the competitor's Doggie Poop Bags!

The difference between degradable and biodegradable:

Biodegradable - green, but can leave traces of toxins
Degradable- made from oil, but breaks down into harmless materials

The Minutes from the Last Meeting - July 2nd, 2014

The next meeting will be September 3rd, 2014 - Look forward to seeing you.,

On Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014, in the Eisenhower Recreational Center, at approximately 7:00 PM, our RDOG3 meeting began.  As you know, there was no meeting in August. 

Bonnie and her yellow Lab, Patriot, from South East Guide Dogs, were our guests for the evening.  Bonnie explined the importance of guide dogs, the cost to raise them, being puppy raisers etc.  Questions pertaining to puppy raisers: do puppy raisers receive special training, what costs are involved in raising a puppy, how old are the puppies when they arrive in a puppy raiser’s home, what age do the puppies return to Southeastern Guide Dogs, do puppies arrive house trained, are puppies crate trained, are the puppies allowed in public places like other service dogs, where are the puppy raiser groups, are puppy raisers involved in any extracurricular functions, are there age requirements for puppy raisers, how do I apply to become a puppy raiser etc.  Please contact GuideDogs.org/RaiseAPuppy

Bonnie also discussed other programs:

Paws for Independence – pairs visually impaired individuals with superbly trained guide dogs and provides lifetime follow-up to active graduates. 

Paws for Patriots – Guide Dogs: pairs visually impaired veterans with trained guide dogs and provides lifetime follow-up to active graduates.

 Veteran Service Dogs:  Some of the dogs are better suited for jobs other than guide work.  Specially selected dogs are trained and placed into service careers benefitting veterans with Post Traumatic Stress, or placed as therapy dogs at military facilities.

Gifted Canines – Canine Connections Dogs:  Places dogs that are not destined to become guide dogs as companions for children who are visually impaired as a way of educating them about the responsibilities associated with owning a dog.

Public Service Dogs:  Places dogs that are not destined to become guide dogs into public service careers such as search and rescue and arson, bomb and drug detection.

Ambassador Dogs:  Places dogs that are not destined to become guide dogs as ambassadors who provide outreach to hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and schools.            Questions and answers followed.

Door prize and 50/50 were drawn.

Meeting adjourned approximately 8:15 PM.      

You Are All Invited!

DOG FOOD RECALLS

Please click on the above link to check if the food you are feeding your dog has been recalled. 

Your Help is Needed

This is a plea for volunteers at the

Marion County Animal Shelter.  

 

Dear Animal Lover,     

"I have been volunteering once a week at the Marion County Animal Shelter located in Ocala, since June, 2012, and my main job there is walking dogs.  I am now concerned about there current volunteer program, as I have become the only volunteer to walk dogs.  Right now they number 52.  Some of these dogs aren't out of their kennels for two weeks, and sometimes because of this inactivity and lack of human socialization, a few become "kennel crazy" and are therefore put down, all because they are not walked on a regular basis.

 

    All of these dogs are great shelter dogs and deserve a second chance.  Walking them regularly, even for a mere 10 minutes, would provide one method of "saving their lives" until they can find a permanent home.

 

    Consequently, this is a plea for anyone who may be interested in giving a few hours of their time as a "dog walking" volunteer to the Shelter.  Unfortunately, one cannot just "show up" to do so, as the county insists that a volunteer application be submitted, and once accepted, the volunteer watch a video which provides information about interacting with the dogs while at the Shelter (which is a good tool).  The Shelter is located at 5701 SE 66th Street, Ocala, FL 34480, (352-671-8700).

 

    Please contact me at my email address (grdmohio@aol.com) or phone (352-693-2314) if you or someone you know may be interested in volunteering.  I can answer any questions, or even take you to the shelter if needed for a "preview".  I know the dogs would be elated to see you!!

 

    Thank you -

 

    Gail Meyer

 

Next Meeting is 7 - 8:30 Wednesday - the first Wednesday of the Month

Don't miss it!  Will be in the Admiral Nimitz Room at Eisenhower Recreation Center.  We have some news for you!  We will also have a guest speaker, Kathy Thomas, owner of Bedtime Tails Luxury Pet Hotel.

We Need Photos of Your Dog for the Blog
Please send me photos, tell us how you got this pup and what your pup means to you.  Attach some pictures and also any stories you would like to share.  We all would love to get to know you and your pup better.  Hope to hear from you.  carene

You Are So Needed - Volunteer at the Human Society

During the month of June, Diane Ferguson and Janet Hohenberger are going to spend a day volunteering at the Humane Society / SPCA of Sumter County. 

 

Duties include: walking the dogs, cleaning up after them and brushing the dogs and cats.

• Would you please save your newspapers for us? They are needed at the shelter. I can pick them up or you can drop them off at my house.
• Towels and blankets are assets to the sheltered animals.
• Please remember the humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County is a no kill shelter. A group of volunteers from the RDOG3 would be appreciated.
• We can organize car pooling. More information and a date later.

 

Meeting Notes from Last RDOG3 Meeting

Words from John Rohan, Director of Recreation

VCDD = Village Community Development Districts

 

"We are ALIVE and on the RADAR"

 

Approximately 7PM on May 7, 2014, in the Eisenhower Recreational Center our fourth RDOG 3 meeting, covering south of 466A began.

 

Our President, Diane Ferguson welcomed everyone and reflected upon our RDOG3 Bake Sale earnings of $923.00 on Saturday, April 19^, 2014.   No RDOG3 meeting in July 2014.

 

• Tom VanDusen, our Vice President, discussed the board members meeting with John Rohan, Director of Recreation for VCDD.   

• Our RDOG3 was commended for the support from our members.  We were reminded to have patience while waiting for our dog park.   

• During this time several things must happen before we are informed of the availability of parcel of properties for our dog park:    

• 1.  Developer’s final property layout, residential, commercial, recreational, and financial. 

• 2.  Monies must come from the VCDD in our district to build and maintain the property.    

• 3.  RDOG3 has the responsibility to finish and enhance the property for the opening of this dog park.

Diane Ferguson introduced our guest speaker, Diane Keedy, from Paws for a Moment.  Diane’s topics included nutrition for our pets, raw foods: meat protein including the needs of protein and fats, canned food versus dry.  Diane’s store is located in the Buffalo Ridge Shopping Center.

 

Snacks - 50/50 drawing and a door prize

Diane thanked everyone for attending and the meeting adjourned approximately at 8:25PM.    

Bake Sale

Bake Sale 

To benefit the future Dog Park

Just a little information about the upcoming Bake Sale for RDOG 3 on Saturday, April 19th; 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., the Bake Sale will be held in the Admiral Nimitz's Room at Eisenhower Recreation Center and baked goods should be dropped off at 8:30 a.m. that day. If that is a problem you can drop them off at my house 3185 Jemima Avenue in the Lindsey Villas on Friday.
Here are a couple of helpful hints to make our sale run smooth:

• please label your goods especially if containing nuts ( ex: brownies with pecans )

• please if possible put your goods in containers or plates that do not have to be returned

• cookies in clear bags with 2-3 large or 6 average in each bag

• bar cookies/brownies that you think we can sell separately in sandwich bags if possible

We will have bags and some containers to divide cakes and cupcakes into smaller groupings if necessary. We are hoping for a great turn out and appreciate all of you hard work.
If you have any questions or ideas please feel free to call me Diane Ferguson 352-633-7362.

   

Breed of the Month of April - Llewellin Setter Duchess

The Dog Breed of the Month

BREED OF THE MONTH OF APRIL

MEET DUCHESS

Thanks to John and Saundra Harvey

 She is a Llewellin Setter. 

These dogs are kind, gentle, loving, and smart. 

They are known as "the gentleman's close in gun dog" for their quail hunting style and abilities. 

Duchess pointed her first quail when she was 4 mos old after watching the "big dogs work" for an afternoon... the bird was almost as big as she was. The next day she hunted with the "big dogs" and instinctively "held points and honored points of other dogs". She has held a bird pointed for at least twenty minutes without moving while we hunted other birds pointed by her companion dogs from a scattered covey.  

She has accompanied me in the evacuations of Katrina- Rita hurricane victims through the airlift receiving area in Atlanta serving as a calming influence to the evacuated victims of the New Orleans and Houston area in the receiving and assessment area of the aircraft hangar. 

Bake Sale to Benefit Dog Park

Bake Sale 

To benefit the future Dog Park

Just a little information about the upcoming Bake Sale for RDOG 3 on Saturday, April 19th; 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., the Bake Sale will be held in the Admiral Nimitz's Room at Eisenhower Recreation Center and baked goods should be dropped off at 8:30 a.m. that day. If that is a problem you can drop them off at my house 3185 Jemima Avenue in the Lindsey Villas on Friday.
Here are a couple of helpful hints to make our sale run smooth:

• please label your goods especially if containing nuts ( ex: brownies with pecans )

• please if possible put your goods in containers or plates that do not have to be returned

• cookies in clear bags with 2-3 large or 6 average in each bag

• bar cookies/brownies that you think we can sell separately in sandwich bags if possible

We will have bags and some containers to divide cakes and cupcakes into smaller groupings if necessary. We are hoping for a great turn out and appreciate all of you hard work.
If you have any questions or ideas please feel free to call me Diane Ferguson 352-633-7362.

   

Dynamic Dog Club

Dynamic Dog Club

The March meeting is today

March 26th from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

 3rd Annual Doga Palooza

Free Event

The Dynamic Dog Club Canine Drill Team will perform

Bring a Chair

Where:  Odell Recreation Center Pavillion

Dogs are welcome and must be leashed...dog owners are welcome too.

There will be a "Tricks Spectacular" to demonstrate and teach tricks to your dogs. This will be led by Chris Knistnler and Ann Heathman who are resident dog trainers.

All are welcome to this event.  Membership applications will be available for this club if you are interested.

There will be agility, magic and balance tricks.  Tricks will be demonstrated and taught to attendees and their dogs.  

Notes from March 5th, 2014 Meeting

Notes from Janet Honenberger, Secretary of RDOG 3 group

“We are ALIVE and on the RADAR”

Meeting Began:   7 pm on March 5, 2014, 

Place:  Eisenhower Rec Center 

Our President, Diane Ferguson welcomed everyone and introduced our Treasurer, Susan Ferguson, our Secretary, Janet Hohenberger and our Vice President, Tom Van Tusen. 

• Susan gave a financial report. 
• Secretary Janet gave an overview of our previous meeting where Karen Tynes explained the beginning of the Dog parks in the Villages and the Cutter Alert . 
• Tom reviewed our meeting with John Rohan.Tom presented us with charts so we could sign up for committees, baking & volunteering for our bake sale in April, volunteering to bring snacks for our RDOG3 meetings etc.

If you attended last month’s meeting, you were educated by Dr. Steven Drum DVM from Colony Plaza Animal Hospital. Dr. Drum covered many subjects: Acquiring a dog from, the Humane Society, Breed Rescues, Pet Stores or Breeders.

Dr. Drum discussed the Stages of Life in our dogs from Puppy Care through the Adult Stage consisting of: Vaccinations, Parasite Control, Physical Exams, Neuter & Spaying. Adult stage: Heart Worm, Flea & Tick, Dental Hygiene, Proper Weight Management, Bladder Stones, Protein %s in dog food and calories in snacks.

During Dr. Drum’s presentation our members asked concerned questions from all areas of pet ownership.

50/50 drawing and a door prize.

Diane thanked everyone for attending our RDOG3 meeting, invited us back next month and the meeting adjourned approximately at 8:20PM.

Breed Of The Month - PUG

Pug

Remember to send me a photo of your dog so I can post it and any story you may have.  Thanks all. Carene

The pug is a toy dog with a wrinkly, short-muzzled face and curled tail. The breed has a fine, glossy coat that comes in a variety of colors, although often black or fawn, and a compact square body with well-developed muscles. Wikipedia

Hypoallergenic: No

Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris

Life span: 12 to 15 years

Origin: China

Temperament: Charming, Playful, Docile, Clever, Quiet, Stubborn, Attentive, Sociable

Breeds: Igor Pugdog

CHECK OUT THIS LINK:   PUG RESCUE OF FLORIDA  http://pugrescueofflorida.org/meet-our-pugs/

SHREDDING DAY

FREE - Shredding Day

 DONATIONS GREATLY APPRECIATED

 TO BENEFIT

THE LEESBURG HUMANE SOCIETY

AND

 SUMTER COUNTY SPCA

 

 

When:  On March 23

Time:  8:30 - 10:30 a.m.

Where:  748 Village Campus Circle
              Buffalo Ridge Animal Hospital

Off of 466 between Red Lobster and Golden Corall behind Tire Choice

Donations are tax deductible - Sponsored by The Buffalo Ridge Animal Hospital and The Villages Rainbow Club

Max

MAX

True story by Dan and Carene

He was our first dog.  He was part Border Collie and something else and he'd do anything for praise.  We lived in a small house on a rural rout in a college town in Kansas.  We taught Max to get the newspaper in the morning and he was happy to do it.  He'd hit the screen door with the paper in his mouth every morning.   We'd come to the door and we'd take the newspaper out of his grip and tell him what a good boy he was and give him a pat on the head.  He learned this so well.  This went on day after day.  

Then one day, we tried to sleep in a bit, but there was Max, banging the paper on the screen door louder than ever.  Dan went to the door and called me to come to see this.  There on the front lawn was a stack of newspapers that Max had picked up from each house down the road and brought it to our house. 

Dan and I drove down the rout that morning redelivering papers as quickly as we could thinking what did we do.  We loved that little guy.

March 5th Meeting - Guest Speaker from Colony Animal Hospital

Guest Speaker from Colony Animal Hospital

Just a friendly reminder about the upcoming meeting on March 5th at Eisenhower for our second RODG 3. Our speaker will be Dr Steven Drum from the Colony Animal Hospital.

Please put this date on your Calendar  we have been given permission to have our first fund raiser a Bake Sale in side Eisenhower. We will need lots of people to bake and all proceeds will go towards the dog park ( benches, water etc) I am excited and hope that you will pick one of your favorite recipes to share with everyone.

See you Wednesday night.

Lets have a great turnout again.  Looking forward to seeing you.

Breed of the Month for March Pug "Mugsy"

  

      .

From:  Denise Herzberg

A pug is a dog

with a curlicue tail.

He eats like a hog

and he snorts like a whale.

He’s flat in the snout

and his belly is big.

The pug came about

just by misspelling pig.

by Kenn Nesbitt 

Remember to send me photos of your pup.  Carene

          

Grover and Bear

Grover was born in Puerto.  He was about a day away from being destroyed when he and his sister were adopted to good families.  Here he is cuddling with Bear.  Grover is getting a lot of love!

Please don't hesitate to leave comments on the posts.  Thanks.  Carene

Letter from our President Diane

Now that we have started our RDOG I want to take a minute to explain how important it is to be responsible for our dogs when we are taking them outside for a walk etc.

Many people are starting to notice that some of the dog owners are not picking up after their pets. I don't really understand this since I do not like dogs using my yard as a "poop site" so why would anyone do this to their friends and neighbors, or worse on the entrance to any villa or street corner where everyone can set it.

Yesterday a very nice lady told me if she saw that when she was buying a home here she would have had second thoughts. That my friends is not good under any circumstances.

Please remember that we train our pets to do the things they do, so using the outdoors is natural for them. Picking up after them should be natural to all of us.

Breed for February - Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

As its name implies, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is prized for its coat, which is soft, silky, with a gentle wave, and of warm wheaten color. Underneath, however, is a formidable dog that leaves no doubt as to his terrier origins. Square and medium-sized, he is happy, steady, self-confident and alert to his surroundings.

Known for more than 200 years in Ireland, the "Wheaten" shares common ancestry with the Kerry Blue and the Irish Terrier. The Wheaten was the poor man's dog, an all-purpose farm dog, given to patrolling the borders of small farms, ridding them of vermin, herding sheep and hunting with his master. Wheatens tend to be less scrappy than other terriers but they are true terriers and will be more active than many other breeds, enjoying plenty of exercise every day. They relate well to children and can adapt to city, country, and suburban life. The Wheaten is single coated and doesn't shed, but needs regular grooming to keep its coat mat free.

If you have a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier in The Villages, please send your photo to us to post.  

Welcome to RDOG 3

Please say "Hi!" to Bear!  
He is our Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.  
He will be 4 years old on May 5th.