A Dog gets his day after Horrible Michael Vick

Last year during the Michael Vick shiteous debauchery that was his dog fighting dungeon, if I had been in the area-- I would have totally protested outside the courthouse throwing snausages and some mase at that low life while he entered the courthouse. I'm not along the lines of Peta, but I still get very sensitive when it comes to animal rights. Even when I go visit Lexie at the shelter, I get a lil sad because I want to adopt SO many dogs at the place (email me if you'd like the info about where we are adopting from- because this place is absolutely amazing!)..

Well, this story just melts my heart. Meet Leo, one of the victims who was severely abused when the cops found him and 50 other dogs at the hell hole. After being taken in by a very nice woman who is a certified trainer and worked with him in an intense program, Leo, a pit bull, is now what they say "a pussy cat" who likes to spend his time visiting with cancer patients.

Click HERE to see the video! (screenshot from msnbc)

He also goes and visits with young people on probation in San Jose, showing that even though he came from his awful background, you can totally be what you want to be.

Dogs are the best creatures ever..

A new edition to the fam!! (LOL not what you think)

Meet Lexie! The newest edition to the family.. She's a 1 1/2 year old Bassett hound/rottweiler mix just like her new big brother Rocco. We met her this weekend at an animal shelter close by and KNEW she was our dog. She's a lot smaller than Rocco, and is a very sweet girl. She comes home on Thursday!! And I'm already planning out all the girly collars and leashes I get to finally purchase! (Rocco wasn't a fan when I tried them on him). Roc & Lex met each other this afternoon and are going to be the best of friends!
Click here for the rest of the million pics I've taken while visiting her at the Adoption center!

Happy Birthday Rocco!

Happy 4th Birthday little buddy!! I like to celebrate this day as 4 years of being responsible for raising a charming young mutt.. I toast my water bowl to you, Rocco.

2004

2008

The Dog Mumblerer

FINALLY, Boston saw some sun this weekend! We decided to make a playdate for the dogs along side the Charles River, by Harvard Yard (pronounced however you like). Mikey, Jenny & Neal's Boston Terrier joined Mr. Rocco for a nice hour long by the water.. and after 4 years, Rocco STILL doesn't understand that walking on a leash does not mean he should be pulling us the entire time!!

And I'm still interested to see what would've happened between the dogs and the duck had leashes not been involved! Just kidding- Rocco is a lover, not a fighter

Hot Chocolate and a Snausage.. STAT

*note* pic was taken in VT this weekend, because my mom loves bringing up her granddog to go running around in the snow like an abominable snowmonster!!!

Oh- you didn't know I owned a Raptor?

The Duchess of Westminster [dogshow]

this bitch's hair is nicer than mine!

The prestigious dog show started last night and finishes up this evening (on USA network). While I don't really understand half of the stuff that goes on during Dog Shows, they are so fun to watch! Maybe I just think that some dog is going to go batshit crazy and start snarling at the other doggies (no Julie, thats only if ROCCO was in it)old english sheepdogs- looks like the Prince's dog in The Little Mermaid
english bulldog. aaaawwwww look at that face
i think this beagle actually won last night
relaxing before the swimsuit competition!

I think one of these years they should have a Mutts category.

pics courtesy of the Boston Globe

Doggie DNA

So my mom and I have always disagreed on Rocco's breed. When Gus and I adopted the little guy when he was 8 weeks old at the shelter (almost 4 years ago- whoa), the shelter lady told us that someone brought in Pudge (Rocco's name for 7 1/2 weeks) because she already has two dogs (a bassett hound and a rottweiller) and could not keep their little love child puppy.

But- could this have been a cute little story to sell the big floppy eared Pudge? My mom believes that he's got some other mixes, like a Coonhound. She then sent me this link. Its a Canine Heritage Breed Kit. For the low low price of $79, you can figure out your dogs breed. I almost want to sign up for it just to settle the debate once and for all.

A little gchat with me and the Mom..Maury povich.. if you're reading this.. I think we would make some GREAT paternity results television.

Rocco- you got next round

Boston.com picks a few dog friendly bars/shops around the city. Heck, if I didn't think my dog would drink me under the table, I'd consider bringing him to one. Until now, I stick with him being my designated driver...

Outtakes from the Xmas Card Photoshoot

Rocco is a big trooper for hanging in there. Wardrobe changes. Fur & Makeup. Here are a few funny shots from this weekends event. Note* No Rocco was injured during this photoshoot.* Although I can't say anything about his pride.I love this last picture. It reminds me of the dog in the cartoon version of The Grinch that Stole Christmas

Dog Park Epidemic!!

This morning was absolutely beautiful aka perfect time to go to the Dog Park. Pack up Rocco, drive on over there only to find this.With the note that follows:
Grrrrrrreat. We had to take a nice run with the leash instead. Boo to that. Rocco had Kennel Cough a little over a year ago, not fun at all. The funniest part was when I was web md'ing the symptoms to see if he had given it to me as well! Hope the other dogs are alright.

Rocco- You're in my Fav 5!

I started cracking up when I read about the PetCell on Popgadget. This GPS enabled dog cell phone would give Rocco and I the opportunity to catch up and hear about each other's day.

Me: Rocco what did you do all day?
Rocco: Laid couch most of the day, drank some water.. filed my tax returns, you?
Me: Nice! I'll be home in a few, can you Tivo Oprah??? Thanks.

Watch the video here to see it in action! Oh, btw its $499. Mama Q is getting an iPhone before the dog gets a PetCell.... Sorry Rocco, we'll save the chats until get home.

Dog Can't Handle the Truth!

Boston Sunday Globe featured an interesting read about the popular increase in Dog Custody Battles. People are starting to view animals more then just personal property, and the field of animal law is growing . With news stories such as Michael Vickhead, and Billionaire Leona Helmsley leaving her pooch 12 million dollars, it looks like things are going to improve for animal rights.

Adrian Hochstadt of the American Veterinary Medical Association says "You have this strange phenomenon where we're placing pets above certain people"[source] And he's right, I totally enjoy my mutt Rocco more then most people. He's chill and thinks that everything I say is absolutely brilliant!

On a different dog note..

Did anyone see The Year of the Dog? Mike White directed this indie flick staring Molly Shannon and Peter Sarsgaard about a lonely secretary who becomes obsessed with animal rights when her dog dies. It was supposed to be a sweet story, but frankly, it turned into a weird ass movie.

Rocco's Home!

After a fun filled summer of running around in Vermont, Rocco has come back home to the city. Since my mom is a teacher and has the summers off, she took him up to our vaca cabin in the green mountains to go chase cows and deer, hang out with all the local dogs, go on hikes, & eat Creamies (instead of an ice cream, the place puts 2 milkbones in a cup)!! We did miss him a bunch, but knew he was having a blast. Hell, the dog has had more vaca then me!

Our neighbor Sampson was super excited for Rocco to come home too!

Hope everyone had a great long weekend!

I'd do the same for Rocco

Leona Helmsley, the Queen of Mean Hotelier, left a $12 million trust fund for her dog, Trouble. She then went out to divide her billions among immediate family, leaving out 2 grandchildren. Those two grandchildren get nothing, for "reasons that are known to them," she wrote. Oh Snap! Hopefully Trouble will do his best to pursue his favorite charities, or buy a lifetime of Snausages.

Rottweiler Adopts Kittens

When I was on the elliptical machine at the gym yesterday, this story came on CNN and I promised myself I wouldn't cry because it was so cute. Ah who cares, I was sweating anyways-- no one noticed.

Here's a small You Tube clip of the Rottweiler in Upstate NY who began nursing kittens who lost their mother.

Cutest thing ever! Being a proud owner of a Rottweiler Bassett Hound mix, its nice to know not everyone thinks Rotty's are big scary dogs. Thats only if you have mean idiots raising them.

Dogs at War

I didn't know there were dogs over in Iraq with the troops. CNN writes a few touching stories about these 4 legged heroes. Might need a Kleenex by your desk.

Smelly Dog, Smelly Dog

This Saturday, July 21, Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge is hosting its Third Annual "Bark and Bath" from 10am to 2pm. For $15 you can get your dog washed and dried, plus they'll get a doggie snowcone from Polka Dog Bakery! Not only will your dog be clean and happy, proceeds will also benefit "Trust for Public Land"

The Blair Dog Project

While Saturdays to most people means its finally time to sleep in, for Gus and I it means just the opposite. Saturday mornings at 7:30am we get a wake up grumble from our dog, Rocco. For some odd reason he knows its the weekend (i'm guessing its because he didn't hear me press the snooze alarm for the past 2.5 hrs). He doesn't care how many drinks you had last night, he's going to the dog park. But I think I love the dog park just as much as Rocco does. We meet up with about 10-15 other dogs and their owners and let them rock out and run free.

Here are some pics from our fun filled Saturday morning. I understand you'll probably be viewing these after a great morning of sleeping in.

Yeah. Enjoy that!Above: Three dogs all grabbing onto a giant stick. Brilliant.

Above: If I was a good photographer,
I would tell people I meant to shoot the pic this way!

Above: I call this particular photo "Wet Dog / Poodle Butt"

Above: My handsome man after a long eventful morning at the Dog Park

Perfect Paws

I saw this cute website on my dog Rocco's Dogster page. I'm not a crazy pet owner, I think its okay to let your dog surf the Internet (i have the parental controls on anyways!) Perfect Paws does personalized portraits of your favorite pooch.

I really love the Burned Wooden Portraits (pictured left). I might have to pick one up of Rocco for our apartment.

This company is also featured on Etsy!