By Lola on May 29, 2009
Last weekend I was too busy fetching sticks in the lake at my Grandparents’ to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day. So I’ve been schooling myself on this F’d-up thing you people do called war. I’ve learned that ever since folks started throwing stones at each other, there have been dogs performing faithfully by your side (a little too faithfully sometimes if you ask me). We may not understand war, but we sure wrote the book on loyal service. Egyptians, Greeks, Attila the Hun all used attack dogs in battle. We’ve worked throughout history as military guards and messengers. Of course, we love to put our superior schnozzes to work in search and rescue. But by far our favorite way to serve, from day 1, has always been to help heal the psychic wounds of war. It’s where we shine, it’s in our blood. Lately they’ve given it a name, Therapy Dogs. So I’m declaring the weekend after Memorial Day as Canine Memorial Day. Is there a Tomb of the Unknown Mutt somewhere? I want to go lay a toy there. In the meantime, I’ve put together a few video clips for you to chew on this weekend about the bond between soldiers and dogs…
Dogs Help Soldiers at Walter Reed Army Hospital
Puppy Who’s Rescuer Died in Iraq Joins Family in US
Disabled Vet and His Best Friend
Soldiers and Puppies In Iraq
Have you seen the one where the dogs greet Dad when he returns from Iraq?
Explore Further:
MUST SEE OPRAH! Prisoners Train Dogs for Soldier Therapy
History of Dogs in War
Please consider donating to these organizations:
GuideDog.org
NEADS.org Canines for Combat Vets
PatriotPaws.org
Puppies Behind Bars
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By Lola on April 17, 2009
Now that Bo Obama has been officially introduced to the public, I’m free to tell a little of my story… For the past several months, I’ve been working for the Secret Service on Bo’s security detail. I saw it all: the covert potty training up at Camp Kennedy, the top secret trysts to visit the first family, and finally, I oversaw the security nightmare that was last Tuesday’s official sniff-and-greet with the press corps on the White House lawn. I’m not at liberty to discuss details, but I can show you some declassified pictures…
On edge when the entire chain of command is present.
My proudest moment was last Tuesday as POTUS and DOGUS were romping for the cameras. Suddenly, out of the corner of my nose, I identified a foreign object on the otherwise pristine lawn. I immediately lunged to neutralize the threat, tackling Bo and tripping the President out of harm’s way. My vigilance paid off: the object was later determined to be a stick! For my bravery, I received a medallion of liver jerky.
But it’s not all glamor. You’re on hyper-alert 24-7. Here’s some behind the scenes stuff of the day-in-the-life of a Secret Service dog:
Riding Shotgun takes on a whole new meaning
Keeping a close eye on weirdos and Fox News reporters
There’s actually a long, distinguished history with the Secret Service in my family:
My great-great uncle protecting Amy Carter and her cat Misty Malarkey Ying Yang.
My great-great-great grandfather was on duty the day LBJ picked his beagle up by the ears.
Malia and the gang asked me to stay on for a permanent gig. It was a tremendous honor to serve my country and this nice family, and I would have loved to continue, but in the end it would have been too hard on my family to pick up and move to D.C.
Maybe someday I’ll be able to dig some dirt for you. What’s Bo like? Well, I can say he’s not the sharpest knife in the drawer, being a pure bred and all. But he’s a nice kid. He’s determined to use his position to raise awareness of important issues, like dander allergies. He’s handled the breeder vs adoption controversy with class. Imagine the pressure he’s under. I know I wouldn’t be able to deal always worrying about cameras every time I take a squat. And if I tear up a vegetable garden, inner city school kids don’t go hungry. No, I don’t envy him. But he’s got character, just like his family, and I think he’ll adjust to life inside the bubble just fine.
UPDATE: check out the exclusive behind-the-scenes pics from my photo shoot for this blog HERE!
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By Lola on March 20, 2009
Houndy hello from the road!
I always knew there was a great big world beyond my fenced-in yard, and this week I’ve been on the road exploring it. You know, sometimes a restless mutt’s just gotta’ answer the call deep in her furry little soul, follow that smell over the next horizon, and take up the life of a steady-rollin’ tumbleweed seeker. Ok, well, in all truth I’m just along for the ride.
So Ma, Pa, and I hit the highway out of old Woodstock Monday morning. After a few hours we pulled up to a place with huge metal birds – Newark airport. Ma got out and we said a grand goodbye. She was heading off to Texas to give a speech. Now it was down to just two – me and Popsters. We drove and drove a few more hours.
Monday night we stayed with old friends near Philly. Jesse and Ina are the chill alphas of the pack with three very cool human pups. I especially hit it off with my soul sister Eva. Big fun yard on a cul de sac. I got chased around by a band of neighborhood kids, which was actually kind of scary until I realized youngins are just crazy. The next day was March 17th and before they left for school the pups dressed me up in green. I still can’t figure that one out.
On the road again. We went to another cul de sac near Philly to spend Tuesday night with Dad’s Aunt and Uncle. We walked around the sidewalks while Dad waxed nostalgically about living here for a spell when he was four. I wasn’t really listening, though. I was getting whiplash from the bounty of squirrels. I also really, really, really liked the cooking smells in the house. I don’t think it was vegetables.
Wednesday we went through my first car wash. I was a bit concerned because I thought I might be next. Frankly, I prefer dirty. We also went to the best pet store I’ve ever seen and got a very cool new ball, which I haven’t figured out how to destroy yet. We spent most of the day driving across Pennsylvania. I slept a lot of it, but always perked up when passing huge, stanky cow farms. We stopped every so often at these places with lots of trucks and big patches of grass so I could pee where many have peed before me.
Finally Wednesday night we arrived at grandma’s place near Pittsburgh. Cul de sac #3. Here Dad really gets going with the snoozer Glory Days stories since this is the town he grew up in. His geezer pals came over with lots of bottles and they watched a DVD of the Steelers recent Super Bowl win – in slow motion with dramatic music. I think I saw them crying. But again, I’ve got better things to do. This time: birds. Granny loves feeding the birds out behind her new condo, prides herself in attracting the rare, colorful ones. I’ve been letting these avian hacks know there’s a new sheriff in town. It’s a job and somebody’s got to do it.
We’re heading to the pond today. Dad says back in the day it used to be the raging secret party place before the town got all fancy and made it a park for latte power-walkers. And with that of course came the damned leash laws. But this place puts Dad in a rebel mood. Me too!
So here I am, living the good life on the road. But I do miss Mom. Two more days then back home!
Peace and teething,
Lola
Aka Doggie Dean Moriarity
OK, here’s a PS my Mom asked me to add… (I plead the 5th on this issue):
Today is Meatout Day - the world’s largest grassroots diet & education campaign. Tons of humans kick the meat habit each year on March 20 (first day of spring)! Even for just one day, ditch the tushie (fur & feather people like me) and explore a wholesome, nonviolent diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Check out meatout.org
PPS- My folks are sending out the CSL Newsletter next week, so sign up!
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By Lola on February 20, 2009
Woofy Friday!
These are some recent snaps from a day in the life of marvelous me (AKA Lola). Obviously I am tons of fun! If you’re looking for some awesome company, unconditional love, heart opening tenderness and a lick on the cheek, get someone like me at your local shelter. Rescue dogs are the coolest! Puppy mills suck.
My dad calls these pictures “Swami Justgotabathananda”. He’s dumb and funny.
Mom wanted to get me this coat but I protested. Come on! It makes me look like a fat mobster!
We got this one instead. Green is my color.
This is my pig mask. I call it “pig mask” because it’s the remains of my favorite stuffed animal.
Chillin’ in my back yard.
On the other side of my fence there’s cool trails with tons of my favorite snack – deer poop! Have you ever tried it? Tastes like fritos!
Have a righteous weekend.
Peace & paws,
Lola
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