Exercise; My Secret In Keepin' My Pawsome Figure

     Yappy Holidays, everybody!  I don't know about you, folks, but I looooove this time of year.  The house is decorated with all these crazy things and my sisters and I are just keeping our paws crossed, hoping that Santa Paws doesn't forget to drop by our house.  But seriously, Christmas isn't just about squeak toys, and bags full of rawhides, it's about FOOD!!  And lot's of it. 

     But I must warn you my fellow canine buddies, too much of that yummy food can be harmful to our health.  And our figures.  And let me tell ya, I am too sexy for my Christmas sweater, too sexy for my Christmas sweater. May I get a double woof to that?  My furiends and I can really pack it away on the holidays, but it can be soooo hard to drop that extra weight.  So, thankfully you have me to help you get your slim figures back come December 26. 

Mr MaGoo and Carla Mae

      The first rule, and I know this is gonna be hard, but don't eat so much!  All that meat and sweets on the human's table can be paw lickin' good, but what's in your dog bowl is so much better for you.  Not all human food is good for you (but it sure is TASTY)!  Some of those delectable goodies can make you sick.  Grrr. 

      If you do happen to eat too much people food, remember to exercise, exercise, and exercise some more.  Your mom or dad can get real busy entertaining other humans this time of year, so this is why you really have to bark, twirl, jump, get in their face to get their attention.  Tell them I gotta go outside and run until my tongue is dragging on the floor. 

Carla Mae is ready for her walk

     Gaining all that weight can be super embarrassing and cause some bad health problems later in life.  And, I don't about you, but I want to stay far away from that veterinarian of ours; she is nice and all, just don't like all those tests she does. 

Yappy Holidays!  See ya next year.

Mr.Magoo 

Most Pawonderful Time of The Year

Woof everyone!  It's the most pawonderful time of the year. It's the yap-yappiest season of all. Happy tail wags all around for the Holiday season is upon us.   My sisters and I looooove Christmas.   Mom and I decorated the house while the girls snoozed by the fire. 

I am Santa's helper; I ensure that the stockings are hung just right

      This can be a grrrr8 time of year, but look out!  Because it can get kind of scary for us furry guys and gals.  So that's why I'm setting paws to keyboard on this cold night.  I can't go to sleep without helping you make your holidays a lot safer for us.  So here are some tips from yours truly.

     Pretty plants like Holly, Poinsettia, and Mistletoe can poison and hurt us if we were to accidentally eat it.  Not that I've ever tried.  Uh hem, moving on.

     I don't know about your humans, but mine likes to wrap the inside and outside of our house in these brightly colored lights.  Make sure you tape down or cover the cords.  Every year I have to tell Buffy that the brown thing on the floor is not a chew toy! 

     I don't get why you humans want to bring the outdoors indoors, but please make sure you keep those monster trees secured.  How embarrassing to be trapped under a tree.  Oh yeah, and those goofy decorations you hang on the tree, please keep them away from me.  We can't tell the difference between those and our toys.

     I don't know about you, but I don't like being stuck in large crowds (unless they're adoring fans), so if you insist on bringing other humans over to the house, please provide me and others a safe haven in which to hide. 

 

With my tips, your pooch should be a happy and safe one come December 25. 

 

Oops, I smell cookies.  Gotta go! Tis the season to be jolly,  Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Merry Christmas

Mr. Magoo

My Furiend Needs Our Help and Prayers

    Hellooooo!  My little blog readers.  It's me, Mr. Magoo, here.  I hope everyone had a pawtastic Thanksgiving.  I know I did.  Mom treated my sisters and I to a feast fit for canine royalty.  One year, Betty Boop ate so much, that I had to nose her down the hallway.  

Betty Boop being silly

     But not every pooch was so lucky as us to have a home with a warm bed and enough food to eat.  Remember last month, I told about my fur friend, Terry James?  Well, I got another buddy, named Preston, who needs our help.

Terry James

      Mom told me about Preston earlier this month and I high tailed it into mom's (my) office and set my paws-a-typin'.   I closed the door, cause I didn't want mom to see my eyes leaking (or my sisters making fun of me).  

Preston

      Like Terry James, Preston was rescued by some nice human, who took out of that shelter (Grrr) and brought him home with her to live the life.  Unfortunately, poor Preston wasn't wagging his tail just yet, when he urinated (so that's what I do to those bushes in the backyard?) it was bright RED!  Ouch.  He was taken to the vet and was told that he has stones in his bladder and urethra.  Huh?  What is THAT?  

      Preston went in for his first surgery and the vet tried to remove the stone (did he bury stones inside himself?).  Turns out, Preston still isn't able to wag his happy tail; there appears to be still something inside him (did he bury more stones?).  He goes back in for Xrays.

       This is where I am asking that we all help Preston; he has had such a ruff journey since his Dad passed away, now he needs us.  With our all help, we can help Preston get healthy; and, find his furever home. 

       I need you pawsome folks to help donate some more doggy bones to help Preston get his smile back. Please send to:  Poppyfoundation@earthlink.net

Furever yours,

Mr. Magoo

     

Us Dogs Love A Job; Give Us A Job And We Will Step Up

    Woof!  It's me again, your lovable fur friend, Mr. Magoo. 

Woof-looo to you

      Okay folks; remember in my last blog I introduced you to Terry James, my blind bud who found a home?  Well, have I got another tail wagging good story for you all.  Get ready.  Hang onto your chew toys, because this is just so pawsome!  I couldn't believe my beautiful brown eyes when mom showed me the story.

      Just when I thought I was the most amazing doggy dude, I read about Chloe, a guide dog from the non-profit organization, Pilot Dogs.  Chloe guided her human, Sami, who is blind, while she competed on the Lexington High School girls' cross-country team.  My girl, Chloe guided her human around the obstacles and passed seven runners.  Go Chloe!! 

Sami and my furiend, Chloe

     It seems that those clowns on the Ohio High School Athletic Association were not going to let Sami compete with Chloe, because apparently dogs aren't allowed.  Grrr.  That's just wrong.  But thanks to head coach, Denise Benson, who fought for Sami's right to run in the race, even if that meant having good ol' Chloe tag along, Sami has become quite the little competitor.

     It just goes to show you that we need you guys just as much as you need us.  I would be nowhere without my mom and sisters.  And, well, let's face it, what would they do without moi?   My job is never ending.  Just like Chloe, it is my job to make sure my human and fur sisters are safe, happy, and well entertained.   Let's face it; canine and human are a match made in heaven. Speaking of entertained; have you seen my latest video?  I am workin' it..BOL...I just crack myself upside down and over paws.

    Do you have a job for your human?  If so, what is it?  Or, do you wish you had a job and what would it be? 

    Oops, the human is home.  Gotta clean the nose prints off the computer and go tell my sisters to get ready to meet her at the door. 

Until next time, faithful readers.

Mr.Magoo

Holidays Are Here Early For Terry James: The Soulful Lhasa

     Woof-ollo, everyone!  Mr. Magoo here and I've got some pawtastic news for you all.  But before the big reveal, let me give you the low down on my furiend, Terry James.  Sounds like one of those gun-totin' dudes in those pawsome westerns I love watching on TV.  My bud Terry James is an 8-year-old Lhasa Apso - just like yours truly.  Poor dude had a ruff life.  Since 2005, he has been at the Lone Star ShihTzu (Mom said it's okay to say that word, cause it's not dirty like I thought it was) and Lhasa Apso Rescue.  Yep, he was in this place for six years; missing holidays; bithdays, parties, family time.

Gun-Totin' Dude: Terry James

      As you all may have heard, I've been having some trouble with eye in the past couple of weeks, but nothing like poor Terry James.  When he arrived at the shelter, almost 7 years ago (that's almost two whole paws!), he had an infection in his eye and they had to remove it?  Wassup, Terry?  Why did some clown allow for your eye to become infected in the first place?!  Anyways, myfuriend got into a scrap with another dog at the rescue and had to have his OTHER eye taken out.  I told him to watch himself, because there are Sparkys everywhere.

 

     Nowadays, Terry has mellowed out has learned to live with his disability of being blind.  What a pawsome dog!  And now, drum roll please.  Terry James has found foster parents!!!!!!!  When mom told me, I couldn't contain my excitement.  There were tail wags all around and high paws.  I'm soooo happy for Terry.  Terry will get to spend this holiday season with a family!!!!! Cause I know what it's like to be rescued.  I was never so happy as when mom rescued me from those clown breeders from the puppy mill.  It just goes to show to that you should NEVER lose hope.

Until next time

Mr.Magoo, signing out.

P.S.  Terry James, dude, write a book and you'll be famous.

Tis The Season To Give

During this holiday season Real Dogs Don't Whisper is taking time to be thankful and give support to those that are less fortunate. 

From now until December 31 2011, $5.00 will be donated to FACE Foundation when a book is purchased (paperback or hard cover).  The donation will be made in the honor of those that are purchasing the book. And, the Board President will match the donation; that means, $10.00 will be donated to FACE in your name

Established in 2006, The Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public charity, whose mission is to enhance and preserve the quality of life of animals by providing access to necessary medical care and education.

Mr MaGoo co-author
Real Dogs Don't Whisper

FACE Foundation

Give the gift that keeps giving.

Buy your copy today and help a pet (and their family) receive medical care. 

Thank you for all of your support,

Kelly and Mr MaGoo

We Can Make A Difference

I am so sad by what I am about to share with you folks, I have a furiend that needs our help.  Let me introduce to Preston

Now folks, hold on to your leashes, what I am about to share with you will cause your eyes to leak. I was introduced to Preston about a month ago and his story just made me so sad. His human, went to place that is similar to our Rainbow Bridge; I believe you humans call it, Heaven. Well, Preston's human wife didn't want Preston and she took him to a shelter. Grrrrr, I was very upset when I was told this.

Some nice lady stepped in and pulled Preston out and placed him in boarding. Poor Preston could not take all the stress and he became very ill. My human's friends raised enough doggie bones to help with the vet. However, I am not sure why the vet didn't like the doggie bones.

He was healing and ready to go home with a foster family until he finds his new furever home. He was only in the foster home for one night, then, he went to do business and it was bright red. Say it isn't so!

The vet determined that he has stones in his bladder and urethra; it is life threatening and painful, and needs surgery right away (like tomorrow morning). (I had to have Mom help me with this).

Folks, he has gone through so much, and now this. Unfortunately, with just these latest tests, the doggie bones are more than used up, and this surgery is going to cost around 2500 in kibble.

I am asking all of you to help my furiend; would you please donate a doggie bone or kibble to save Preston? Would you please say a doggie prayer for Preston and help him get through the night? Please share his story with all; human and pets alike, we can make a difference.

All doggie bones and kibble should be made thru PayPal.com to PoppyFoundation@earthlink.net

This is serious folks, Preston may not make it without our help.

Do You Believe In Second Chances? Believe Folks, Believe In Miracles

   Woof, woof, it's me again!  Your lovable, four-legged furiend, Mr. Magoo coming' at ya from Cyberspace.  I thought I would share a story with that just warmed my furry little heart.   Mom found this article online called "Deformed Puppy, Rescued From Trash, Learns To Walk."  My first reaction was what kind of clowns would throw a little puppy in the trash.  GRRR!!!  I'll get 'em.  Where are they?

Harper, what a smile!!!

     Ahem.  Anyways, it seems this little guy (named Harper) was thrown in the trash because he was born with a deformity called "swimmer puppy syndrome."  Poor little dude couldn't hold his own head up or walk. 

     Lucky for my furiend, Harper, this woman rescued him from his prison of a garbage bag.  Just like mom rescued my sisters and I.  Harper was taken to a shelter where the vet thought that they would have to put him to sleep.  I barked "NOOOOO!" when mom read me this part.   

     But thanks to a woman named, Daniel at the local shelter in Florida, Harper now has a second chance at life.  He is walking thanks to daily exercises in hydrotherapy (that means swimming in water, folks). 

Look at those baby blues

     I'd like to take a tail wagging moment here and thank mom for rescuing not only me but also my sisters from some pretty nasty situations.  Though it was really me who rescued her, but don't tell her that.    Betty Boop reminds me a lot of Harper in a way.  I mean if mom had given up on her, where would she be?  I shudder to think about it.

Betty Boop at 4 mos

     I've got a new motto - don't buy a puppy, rescue one!  You won't be sorry.  There are a lot of doggies out there that need YOUR help.  Adopt a dog and you will have a furiend for life. 

   My eyes appear to be leaking, need to go and take care of this leak (shhh don't tell anyone that this got me all gushy, mushy)

Hello, Mr MaGoo here

Until next time, folks.

Mr.Magoo

Holidays Quickly Approaching

Mr MaGoo here and believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner; have you thought about what to get the special one's in your life?  Ok, admit it, you are sending me my favorite treats..woof! woof!

Ok, ok, ok...it isn't about me (really?)

Do you have a dog/pet lover in your life?  Or, do you have someone in your life that loves to read?

Real Dogs Don't Whisper (paperback)

Real Dogs Don't Whisper is a book not to be missed. Receiving 5 star reviews on Amazon.com, available Kindle and Paperback versions.


"Amazing book for animal lovers!"

"Real Dogs Don't Whisper is a very touching book that people of all ages can relate to. Animal lovers will adore it, but it includes life lessons for everyone. It is a story about the owner of four high-needs dogs and their adventures together. Even better, it's a true story. It is well written and easy to empathize with...."

Available until December 15th, Free shipping and handling; and, paw print gift wrapping. 

Real Dogs Don't Whisper's holiday promotion

Ensure delivery before December 24th, oder your copy today with gift wrapping.

IVDD, not a barking matter

Woof everyone!  It's me again, Mr. Magoo, here to tell ya of yet another chapter of the saga that is my life with mom and my sisters.    And Grrrr let me tell you, it has been a ruff couple of weeks for yours truly.

Have you seen my halo? I misplaced it

      A couple of weeks ago, The Magoo Man wasn't feeling that great.  Usually I spend my days rockin' and rollin,' but on October 1st, I was shaking so badly and walking all hunched over - all I needed was a bell to ring. 

     Mom rushed me to our veterinarian and let me tell ya, folks, I have never been soooo scared.  But I put on a brave face so mom wouldn't be so scared, too.  The doc diagnosed me with what is called IVDD (huh? That doesn't even spell anything; actually it stands for Inter-Vertebral Disc Disease).  On the way home mom explained it to me that I have discs (can I fetch them?) in my back that have hardened to the point where they have broken and oozed this material into the space where my spinal cord is. Yuck!

      I was lucky enough not to need surgery.  No way is some doctor cuttin' me open!  Try and catch me first.  I did get to take a cool ride in this machine (MRI), like something out of some Sci-Fi flick, and that's how I was diagnosed with IVDD.  IVDD though is nothing to bark out; can be fatal for those fellow dogs that are not so lucky as I. 

      Doc and mom put me on bed rest and I'm taking some pills (double yuck!) to help make the pain go away.  Don't tell anyone but I might just get used to all of this pampering.   I get to lie around and sleep all day.   Mom even carries me upstairs.  Buffy and Carla Mae are looking after me for a change.

Bed rest is not my idea of fun

Mom is out right now and I wanted to learn more, Google and I are BFF’s (just too bad this BFF Google hasn’t caught on yet how to return the ball).  I wanted to learn more about prevention; per my BFF, Google, one item is to keep me lean, like a fighting machine.  Yep, weight is down.  Now, the item for prevention I am having a bone chewin’ time with; no excessive jumping or taking the stairs like a race track.  This is going to be a ruff one to stop.  

Ooops!  Mom's home!  Gotta go get in my bed (pretend to be fast asleep). Or, perhaps read a chapter in Real Dogs Don't Whisper; of course, first chapters to read are about me.  Woof!

Yours truly pretending to be sleeping with Buffy

Until next time everyone.

Mr. Magoo

Cushing's Disease, underestimated

"Woof!" It's me, Mr. Magoo here, hoping all you faithful readers had an AMAZING summer.  I know I sure did.  I'd like to take this time and talk to you about my little sis, Buffy.  As you may know from reading my (our) book, "Real Dogs Don't Whisper," available on www.amazon.com, Buffy is very special to everybody that knows her. 

Beautiful Buffy

      But her life hasn't always been as great as it is now, and ooh this really gets my fur standing on end!  Those clowns that had her before mom and I were soooo bad to her, I can't even type what they did.  You'll have to read about in the book.   And if she hasn't been through enough already, in 2004 mom took her our veterinarian, where she was diagnosed with what is called Cushing's Disease. 

     Mom told me that this Cushing's thing is an autoimmune (I needed help with that one!) condition caused by the overproduction of some bad dude called the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands located in Buffy's belly near her kidneys.  Ugh! So many words I don't understand.  I just nodded my head and set my paws a typin,' while mom explained it to me.

Mom and Buffy sharing a tender moment

      Lucky for Buffy, her disease was caught early.  Mom is a hero when it comes to us and a whiz on Google.  Buffy was only showing one symptom of the disease excessive panting - but mom wasn't going to give up until she had answers.  A LOT of tests later, Buffy was diagnosed with an inoperable (huh?) tumor (Grrr) in her brain.  So, now mom feeds her a pill called Lysodren four times a week (yuck)!

     Cushing's Disease is often mistaken for canine aging, so this is why it is so important to have your dog checked out early. 

Symptoms include:

1. Drinking a lot of water
2. Increased urination
3. Excessive panting
4. Increase in appetite
5. Large tummy

 

Until next time!

Mr. Magoo

Here I am, yours truly, Mr MaGoo

Betty Boop's Miracle

Meet Local Author of Real Dogs Don't Whisper

Kelly Preston, author of Real Dogs Don’t Whisper, will be making a guest appearance at Bark In The Park fundraising event. The event is Saturday September 17th from 10:00am to 5:00pm: William Street Park - William and South 16th Streets, San Jose, CA. Kelly will be available for book signing and questions during the event.

Dogs Take the Lead is this year’s theme at Bark in the Park 2011. When you take a dog for a walk, is the dog taking you for the walk? The answer to this question will be evident when dogs and their owners attend Bark in the Park 2011, the Largest Dog Festival in the US. When over 3500 dogs and 15,000 humans have enjoyed this family oriented, all-day event it is clear who is taking the lead.

Located in an expansive, tree lined neighborhood park, this fun day features contests, music, celebrities, demonstrations, dog-related vendors and services, kids activities. Plus, dogs, lots of fun loving dogs.

Bark in the Park^TM is a fundraising event hosted by the Naglee Park neighborhood’s Campus Community Association (CCA). All proceeds benefit the CCA, Humane Society Silicon Valley and San Jose Animal Care Center.

Event highlights are:    
Dog Costume Contest 11 a.m.
Silly Dog Tricks 12:00 pm.
Pet/Owner Look Alike Contest 1:00 p.m.
Happy Dog Tail Wagging Contest 2:00 p.m.

And, there are ongoing activities throughout the day that are not to be missed.

"Real Dogs Don't Whisper" Book Signing at Adoptathon

Real Dogs Don’t Whisper will be attending Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon ; this will be a two day book signing event (a portion of the book proceeds goes to help support FACE Foundation).

Saturday September 10 2011 Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon Marin Civic Center
10 Avenue of the Flags
San Rafael, California 94903
10:00am to 5:00pm Get Directions

Sunday September 11 2011 Bay Area Pet Fair & Adoptathon Marin Civic Center
10 Avenue of the Flags
San Rafael, California 94903
10:00am to 12Noon and 2:00pm to 5:00pm Get Directions  

Sponsored by Pet Food Express; largest pet adoption fair in Marin history, with dozens of local rescue groups participating with adoptable dogs, cats and small animals. Each adopting family will get a $25 gift card. And, for every pet adopted through participating agencies, Pet Food Express will donate 50.00/adoption.

Mr MaGoo's Natural Disaster Tips

     "Woof!"  Have you all heard about the terrible, terrible weather our country has been having?  Well, I certainly have.  And let me tell ya, folks it is really, really bad out there.  Extreme heat, rain, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes.  Woof, gets my fur a shakin' just thinking about it.  And if that wasn't bad enough, mom's been telling me about the poor doggies that have been left behind during these horrible events.    Grrr! Stupid clowns leaving their pets behind.  Don't they know that without us, they're nothing?  Huh?  Who's gonna wake them up in the morning?  Alert them to the mailman or sit by the door until they arrive home?  Us dogs, that's who!

      Once the hackles on my back started to lie down, I went to my trusty laptop and began researching how I can help you, help your dog in a natural disaster.  Once again, it's Super Magoo to the rescue!   Here are five tips that I came up with that I want to share with you.  Because that's what I do.

1.      The first thing you should do make sure you have a plan of action.

2.      Make sure you have all you need before disaster strikes.  Like have your mom buy waterproof containers to keep your records, contact info and photos of you in.   Also, make sure you pack any medications your pooch may need.  In this house, that's a whole pharmacy!

3.      Be sure you have lots of food and water on hand, plus a first aid kit and extra supplies such as leashes, collars, and food bowls etc.

4.      Have our veterinarian update us on all of our shots. As well as have your contact information in place.  This includes our tags and microchip information.

5.      And of course, the most important one of all.  Make sure you take us with you when you evacuate.  This is a great big DUH! I hope.

Do you have a natural disaster plan in place?

Yours truly,

Mr. Magoo

I curse 1,000 fleas on cancer!!

     Woof! Something has really got my fur standing on end.  By now you should all know how fiercely, "grrr" protective I am of my sisters.  After all, I am the man of the house.  But I tell ya, folks, I think I may have met my match.  Ya see, some clown has moved in to our household and has made both Carla Mae and Buffy sick!!  And, ooh, that just sets my jaws a snappin'. 



Oh yeah, I am keeping an eye on my sisters



      The way mom explained it to me is that; the meanies that are causing my sisters to become ill are called cancer.   And, apparently there are two different cancers picking on my sisters.  Buff has what is called  Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC), and Carla Mae has Squamous Cell Carcinoma Adenoid.  Wow, try saying that five times fast, especially with a rawhide in your mouth.  Both of them, the poor babies, had to leave me to go have surgery to remove the tumors.   I can imagine how scared they were in the hospital, all alone, without me to snuggle up with.   But Betty Boop and me kept mom company while we waited for them to come home from the veterinarian's office. 



Buffy enjoying a summer night



       You know how much I love the computer, so I decided to check out more about these clowns that have invaded my sisters' body.  TCC is a bladder cancer and can mimic the symptoms of a urinary tract infection.  Not to worry though, mom and I are fighting it with something called Piroxicam.  Yeah, let's shrink that bad ol' tumor.  Squamous Cell Carcinoma Adenoid is the type of skin cancer that my Carla Mae has.   Our doctor found the tumor on the outside of Carla Mae's ear.  The doc performed a lateral ear resection to remove the walls of the growth.  Can 'you say Hero?!



Carla Mae resting after surgery



Both of my girls are doing okay now.  But, I curse 1,000 fleas on cancer!! Are you with me?  Are you fighting cancer too?  Join me in this fight! Angels With Special Needs Amongst Us



Cancer cells, listen up! This is Mr MaGoo here and I curse 1,000 fleas upon you! Grr!