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Friday, May 24, 2013
Sometimes I Wonder
Posted Sunday, May 19, at 12:28 PM
I read a couple of different stories this week via the internet concerning dogs. I know, shocking huh?!? One story was about a dog that saved it's owner from an intruder/attacker. The other was about a dog that mauled a person. If you consider the basic facts of each story, they are quite similar in nature. ...

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That Face
Posted Tuesday, May 7, at 8:33 AM

That face. That face I look at multiple times each day. That face that looks at me in anticipation of what we're going to do next, that asks, how long do I have to wait to get my treat, and, can I sit by you on the couch? The peace I sense when I watch him sleep, fills my heart. The smile that creeps across my face when I watch him run as fast as he can, and the giggle you can hear when he pulls one of his ''dumb blonde'' moves...

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A Proud Foster Momma Indeed!
Posted Tuesday, April 30, at 2:51 PM

Today was a beautiful day and what better way to enjoy it than to spend it outside. This morning, I decided that it would be a great time to take Boomer to visit residents at the nursing home. I had previously taken Delta, but didn't feel Boomer was quite ready yet. After some pretty intense work with him the past 3 months, he trotted right through the doors eager to see what the fuss was all about...

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A Little Funny
Posted Thursday, April 25, at 7:59 AM

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator... The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest...

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Eye On The Prize
Posted Thursday, April 11, at 12:53 PM

How do you show your dog that you are the leader? Amazingly enough, you can do it without force. One of the simplest, and most effective ways is to use a program called ''No Free Lunch''. This means that before you feed your dog, he has to show you restraint and wait for your cue to eat. ...

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Without Action There Is No Change!
Posted Saturday, April 6, at 6:50 PM

I have written poignant sayings on a wall of my basement. Each time I head down there to do some laundry or clean the litter boxes, I'm reminded of some of the things that are important to me. One such saying is the title of my blog this week, "Without action, there is no change". It seems rather fitting for me this week. Instead of ranting about the leash law, or lack thereof, I've taken action...

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It's Called a LEASH!!
Posted Saturday, March 30, at 10:31 AM

So what's it going to take Spencer residents to put your dog on a leash? I'm afraid the answer to that is someone getting bitten. Spring has sprung and while I'm glad to see people outside with their dogs, why do you think they shouldn't be on a leash? Oh, that's right, because your dog is friendly and just wants to play with my dog. ...

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Finally, An Answer
Posted Tuesday, March 19, at 9:00 PM

One of my posts towards the end of last year was about taking my dogs out in an open area on a 50' rope and letting them run a little more freely than when being on a 6' leash. One comment that post received, cited the ordinance that no animal should be on a leash that exceeds 6'...

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Who Will Care For Them?
Posted Sunday, March 10, at 5:45 PM

One thing that I am very fortunate to have is a group of people that are willing to care for all of my animal friends while I am away. It can put a wrench into people's lives, but I do appreciate the fact that I know they are being well cared for in my absence...

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They Always Know
Posted Saturday, March 2, at 9:18 PM

For the past week I have been preparing myself physically and emotionally for some separation. Some separation that I'm struggling with and keeps me up at night wondering if the correct decisions are being made. For some this change will be life altering. There is a 50% chance that the end result will be just what is needed, the other 50% means a possible failure...

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Help Me Understand
Posted Saturday, February 23, at 8:41 AM

I really try to be open minded on issues. It's not always easy when you feel strongly about something. I want to hear others views and opinions because maybe I'm not clearly seeing something I should. So please, help me understand why people buy a dog from a breeder and not adopt one that is currently homeless...

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Mandatory Spay and Neuter
Posted Saturday, February 16, at 10:10 AM

The whole pet overpopulation problem is easily fixed. Honestly, I can't comprehend why we continue with this problem. Pretty simple little operation and fairly inexpensive when compared to caring for a litter of puppies. There is even a product in the works that could be fed to dogs and cats to sterilize them without surgery. This could be the answer to the many feral cats that can not be trapped for surgery...

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Iowa, Home of the Puppy Mill
Posted Sunday, February 10, at 9:17 AM

I've talked about this topic before, but I believe that is deserves more attention. Much, much more attention with people voicing their disgust to those that are in this business as well as the lawmakers that are allowing this to happen. I recently emailed Ms. ...

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Be A Rock, Be A Tree
Posted Thursday, January 31, at 6:34 PM

Dogs will bite and dogs do bite. I will never dispute that fact, but what's important for a human to know is what to do when this does happen. Whether you want to admit it or not, dogs bite because a human has crossed the line. We make them uncomfortable, or tease them to their breaking point. So what are you going to do when those teeth make contact with your skin?...

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Back to the Basics
Posted Sunday, January 27, at 8:17 PM

Last week I received a phone call that I had been anticipating. ''We had to put our dog to sleep today.'' The dog had been slowly deteriorating for sometime and the inevitable had happened. After letting the caller talk, I expressed my condolences. I always remind people that there many more out there needing a home and when the time is right you can find one...

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Tax Time
Posted Saturday, January 19, at 3:45 PM

I've been getting things together to have my income taxes done this week. It's not my favorite job in the world, but sometimes I run across something that brings a smile to my face. I try and keep track of my SEPR events I attend and things I do with my foster dogs. Fortunately, because it is for a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, I can deduct much of it from my taxes...

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Ban It All!
Posted Saturday, January 12, at 9:31 AM

I have held off with this thought due to the nature of the topic. My intention is not to override the tragedy that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary, but rather offer another perspective to the idea of banning something to fix a problem. Lives are lost each day for any number of reasons. ...

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Pet Therapy
Posted Sunday, January 6, at 10:52 AM

My grandma had gray hair from the time I can remember her. She also had dentures, got her hair fixed every Friday, and never missed church on Sunday. She was always ''old'' to me. I tagged along to play Bingo, make cookies, visit the neighbors, and would go to Spencer shopping with her on Saturdays. I spent a lot of time with her and have many wonderful memories of her...

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Animal Laws from 1953
Posted Friday, December 28, at 9:18 PM

One of the reasons I write this blog is to educate others on responsible ownership of animals. Last week, I was the one getting the education. I am very pleased to have received so many comments regarding the limitation of leash length. It has been on my ''to do'' list to research Spencer, Iowa's Animal Laws. ...

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Dog Parks
Posted Saturday, December 22, at 1:35 PM

As a foster mom of many dogs that have lacked confidence, it is always such a joy to see a dog emerge from its shell and become a playful pup. I love to see my dogs play and romp around outside. It means they're happy. Boomer has been the most skittish foster I have had to date. He still creeps around the house and is not always at ease with noises unfamiliar to him. But, when he's outside and is feeling good, he let's loose...

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It's a Dog's Life
Stephanie "Foster Mom" O'Brien
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My name is Stephanie O'Brien. I'm an animal lover and enjoy volunteering. I have combined those passions into providing a temporary home to animals that would otherwise be sitting in a shelter or worse, euthanized due to lack of room in a shelter. For the past two years I've fostered pit bull type dogs for a rescue in South Dakota. I've also had the opportunity to do some presentations on responsible pet ownership and have been involved in fighting breed specific legislation in SD and IA. I'm looking forward to providing the readers with animal related topics and possibly answer any questions you may have. Enjoy! Stephanie Sioux Empire Pit Rescue Volunteer
Hot topics
Sometimes I Wonder
(0 ~ 12:28 PM, May 19)

That Face
(2 ~ 8:39 PM, May 7)

A Proud Foster Momma Indeed!
(0 ~ 2:51 PM, Apr 30)

A Little Funny
(1 ~ 8:29 AM, Apr 28)

Eye On The Prize
(3 ~ 10:00 AM, Apr 16)