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Dog Holiday Safety Tips

 The holidays have arrived…a time for family, friends and good cheer. To keep things that way, here is a holiday safety list to get you and your four-legged companion(s) through the season without an unexpected trip to the vet’s office! Post a copy and share with friends to make it a joyous holiday season for…

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Life Happens

 I have been a planner all of my life, but there is one lesson that I am finally learning: “life happens” and not necessarily according to your plan. The past six years have presented one surprise after another, usually unwelcome and ill-timed. It began with the sudden loss of my husband and my mother, followed…

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Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

 Lady Edith was destined for a life of making puppies. Too young, too thin, and in need of eye surgery – she was surrendered, instead, to Homeward Bound. It changed her life forever. Despite her slight stature, we could tell something was up. The vet confirmed. A week or so later, she delivered her beautiful…

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Love is Ageless

 It’s hard to love and lose a beloved dog to age. It’s harder still to imagine them without that love in the sunset of their lives. Lucky Star came to us from a shelter. Little was known about him except his obvious sweet, goofy, disposition and his bruised nose attesting to his determination not to…

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A Heart for Hospice Humbles

 (Rob Kessel is a long-time Homeward Bound volunteer and the guest author of this post. He fosters and works with some of the dogs most in need of rehabilitation and training to make them adoptable.) You know, I fall so hopelessly in love with some of the dogs at Homeward Bound that I would like…

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Retail Rescue

 Through education efforts regarding responsible breeders and pet purchases, as well as effective spay and neuter programs, great progress has been made in reducing the number of animals abandoned to shelters – or worse. Under the heading of ‘no good deed goes without unintended consequences,’ word is spreading of a disturbing new phenomenon: the sale…

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Foxtail Safety

 Foxtails are grass-like weeds found mostly in the Western half of the U.S. They can be very dangerous for your dog. In the early spring they look just like a green bushy tail of a fox: As things dry out (quickly…in California’s drought!) they look like this: Both are dangerous. The barbed seed heads of…

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Bloat: A Dog Emergency

 Recently, we had a Bloat scare with one of our Homeward Bound dogs. We found that even some of our well-seasoned volunteers had little familiarity with Bloat. Once you have experienced it, you’re not likely to forget it. When Bloat occurs, the stomach fills with gas, but without torsion (twisting) of the stomach. Gastric dilation-volvulus…

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Bringing Up Lucky

 We all know that teenagers can be rebellious, socially awkward, and bundles of restless energy. Lucky is no exception! Lucky is an 18-month old, smaller-sized, adorable Golden mix – and most definitely a teenager! Like all adolescents, he needs consistent rules, loving guidance, and a way to exercise his exuberance safely and healthfully. A daily…

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Zeus Meets Zeus

 What’s meant to be always finds a way. Here’s proof. Taylor and Aaron are human mom and dad to a two-year old, black Golden Retriever/German Shepherd mix named Zeus. He came home as a puppy from someone giving the litter mates away for free. At the same time, his sister (Lola) was picked for a…

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