A.G. Out Loud! » dogs on tv

Please Vote for Jene & National Mill Dog Rescue: Oprah’s Your Own Show

Anne — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:10:31 +0000

Please click on this picture and watch the video that Jene from National Mill Dog Rescue has submitted for Oprah’s “Your Own Show” challenge. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE vote for her show by clicking the green vote button. More people need to see what happens to the mothers and fathers of the cute pet store puppies that they’re buying. We MUST stop this puppy mill cycle and a show like this could raise the social consciousness around this issue.

‘Last Chance Highway’ Takes the South’s Stray Dogs to New Homes

Anne — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 06:00:49 +0000

Thanks to Peoplepets.com for this great article on Animal Planet’s new show Last Chance Highway. I can’t wait to see it!

Real estate agent Shelly Bookwalter was already heading down the highway with a cargo of rescued stray dogs in Marshall County, Tenn., when she came across a litter of puppies, partially buried in the dirt on the side of the road.

“They’re coming today; I’m not leaving ‘em — period,” Bookwalter said. With that, she scooped up the puppies and brought the mama dog to her truck.

But the dogs were no strays. In fact, the dogs’ owner was nearby. He told her the puppies were headed for his grandchildren, and he wasn’t about to give them up. These canines are likely to be some of the few Bookwalter has ever left behind.

The scene opens the first episode of Animal Planet’s new series, Last Chance Highway, which features Bookwalter’s work in finding new homes for America’s Southern states’ chronic dog overpopulation. Working with pet transporter Kyle Peterson and country singer Lucas Hoge, Bookwalter moves stray and homeless pets from certain death to new lives and homes with owners in the Northeast.

“I always had a soft heart for the strays,” she tells PEOPLEPets.com. “I happen to be born with a spirit to help animals.”

Since she was a teenager, Bookwalter has spent her own funds to treat sick animals and find new homes for stray ones. She estimates that she spends around $75,000 each year on rescuing dogs, and luckily, her success as a real estate agent has largely funded her work.

“I’m never not selling homes or rescuing dogs,” she says. “I could be sleeping, and still selling homes and adopting dogs out.”

Peterson provides the wheels — two trailers that his company, P.E.T.S. Transport Service, uses to move pets from shelters and pounds in the South to homes in places like New York and New Hampshire. Peterson started the company with his wife in 2004, and now transports about 6,000 dogs each year.

“Any given week, we transport 150 dogs at one time between the two trailers,” Peterson says. “It’s a full-time, 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week business.”

And the number of dogs that Peterson is asked to transport each year only grows, thanks to a greater awareness in the rescue community about how to find new homes for dogs. Still, Peterson wants that number to get down to zero.

“If we could put ourselves out of business, meaning that there’s not an overpopulation problem anymore in our shelters,” she says, “then we’ve done our job.”

Catch new episodes of Last Chance Highway on Animal Planet, Saturdays at 8.

Tina & Chandi the Dancing Dog from Britain’s Got Talent

Anne — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 06:36:19 +0000

This dancing dog makes me happy. What a sweet little dog Chandi is! I’m so impressed that not only can Chandi do this little routine, but they did it in front of all the people and lights of Britain’s Got Talent. I’m feeling a little ashamed that my dogs can only sit and go to their x-pen on cue. I’m thinking that’s not enough to get them onto Britain’s Got Talent…

Through A Dog’s Eyes

Anne — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 06:36:05 +0000

I’m setting my dvr for this one for sure! It’s on tomorrow night (April 21st). Enjoy the trailor for “Through a Dog’s Eyes”. -AG

Through a Dog’s Eyes will change the way you feel about your own dog. The documentary follows a handful of people as they journey through the heartwarming and often challenging process of receiving their service dogs.

Jennifer Arnold, founder of Canine Assistants, discusses her teaching methods and the life-changing impact these dogs have on the recipients and their families. She gives us a glimpse of puppy-rearing and training, and takes us inside the intense and sometimes nerve-wracking experience of matching people with their dogs. Ádám Miklósi, Ph.D., one of the world’s foremost experts in dog cognition, also discusses the science behind Jennifer’s training philosophy.

You’ll also follow the families home and watch their relationships with their dogs unfold. Sometimes what began as love at first sight deepens. Occasionally the initial chemistry doesn’t last. Overall, it’s a bonding process that, as with any relationship, takes work and time.

These hopeful stories provide unique insights into the ways canine assistants improve people’s lives. What’s more, you’ll see your own dog in a whole new light.Premieres April 21st at 8pm EST on PBS.

If Only Men Were This Eager To Please!

Anne — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 06:36:47 +0000

This commercial makes me happy.

Why I Don’t Get Into Westminster…

Anne — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:36:20 +0000

I got several messages asking if I was watching the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. To be honest I didn’t even know it was on. I don’t get super excited about it or the AKC show either. I mean, I love seeing all the various breeds…they are beautiful. But…something just rubs me the wrong way and I can’t quite put a finger on it.

Maybe it’s because I know that a lot of breeders are involved with showing dogs and sometimes I think, “can’t we just stop breeding dogs until we can make sure that all dogs have homes?” Or it could be that show dogs have to be intact and I’m such an advocate for spaying and neutering. Maybe it’s because I resent the idea that a dog has to be a purebred in order to be deemed great. For whatever reason, I have a sort of love/hate relationship with these dog shows.

I do appreciate that they run a lot of commercials promoting helping shelter dogs…mostly through Pedigree, who sponsors the show. I just wish something else would change. Ideas?

You’re My Boy, Jake!

Anne — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 01:38:27 +0000

I’m kind of obsessed with Jake, a chihuahua/pug mix from the Puppy Bowl! What a complete sweetie! Who else watched the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet? We watch it every year and it flat out makes me happy. The thing that makes me the happiest is that the puppies and other animals featured were found on Petfinder. Anything that highlights rescued dogs and brings attention to the importance of adoption is fantastic! And…if you were ever in doubt about finding adorable puppies through rescue, this show should debunk that myth. Click HERE for a behind the scenes video!

Oprah Rescues Again!

Anne — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:36:40 +0000

Gotta love Miss Oprah for practicing what she preaches after investigating puppy mills and exposing the awful practices of the dog industry/pet stores. For her birthday this year, she rescued two springer spaniels from PAWS Chicago. Sunny and Lauren are now two of the luckiest dogs in the world (along with my dogs of course!) I loved that Ali Wentworth gave Oprah collars from “Bling For Your Bitch”. They are gorgeous…not to mention they are so cleverly named.

Thank you Oprah for spreading the word on the joys of dog rescue/adoption.

Stella=Santa’s Little Helper?

Anne — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:36:42 +0000

It has come to my attention that Stella resembles Santa’s Little Helper from the Simpsons…

Kellan Lutz…One Hot Dog Lover

Anne — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:36:21 +0000

Believe it or not, I’m not really into the whole Twilight thing. I haven’t read the books, nor have I seen the movies. In fact, I’m almost anti-Twilight because it seems to be everywhere and it’s just overkill. HOWEVER…I’m thinking of reconsidering my stance after watching Kellan Lutz on Ellen and the Bonnie Hunt Show. First of all…Hello HOTTIE!!!!! What makes this guy so attractive even more than his looks is his love for animals and rescuing/adoption. Here he is on Ellen talking about his ridiculously adorable dog Kola and being on the cover of Doggie Aficionado. He also does push-ups to raise money for the Humane Society of the United States…very impressive!

He was also on the Bonnie Hunt Show, again talking about rescuing/adoption. I love the story of his rescued chihuahua!

Lastly, here is some footage from his Doggie Aficionado shoot. Three cheers for celebrities who talk about dog rescue and spread the word!