Saturday, April 30, 2011

Roanoke Valley SPCA needs foster parents 540-339-9505

My lovely friend Ann Marie (Foster Coordinator for RVSPCA) has posted a need from the RVSPCA for more foster families in the Roanoke area.

She posted:

Thank you to our wonderful foster families. Over 90 animals in foster. Foster homes are currently needed as follows: 4 week foster for a mom and 5 kittens, 4 week foster for 3 kittens. These sweeties have been exposed to parvo and need a 2 week foster: 2 hound mix pups (7 lbs.), Austrailian shep. mix (30 lbs.), Lab/pit mix (25 lbs.). Two heartworm positive dogs needing a 2 month foster. If you can help, please call 339-9505.

If you can find a place in your home for the next few weeks, please call her. You can download a Foster Application off of the RVSPCA website: www.rvspca.org.

Friday, April 29, 2011

NEED YOUR INPUT...In honor of the Royal Wedding

In honor of the Royal Wedding today, our family is going to decide on a royal name for our next foster puppy. Any ideas?

Princess Kate, Duchess Kate, Wills, Monarch, etc...Need your input!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Our baby, Rosalina, available for adoption at RVSPCA


Our baby, Rosalina, is now available for adoption at Roanoke Valley SPCA. Check out the RVSPCA website at www.rvspca.org. Read about our Rosalina in previous blog posts. What a sweetie!

Handsome mastiff mix available to a HOME SWEET HOME

Handsome, sweet-natured Mastiff mix @ the Franklin County pound, available for only a $10 adoption fee to residents of Franklin Co. or any county that borders it. The pound is FULL & they do euthanise, so don't delay! FC pound 540-483-7440. If you have questions or live elsewhere and want to adopt, contact jmkeffer4399@yahoo.com or ascott@embarqmail.com.

"Free Under Three" - at Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA

In the spirit of vacation, I decided to take my blog on vacation this morning to Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA.

"Free Under Three"
Until April 30th, all cats over 3 years of age are free!
(spay/neuter deposit, vaccinations and testing fees still apply)

Go To Rockingham-Harrisonburg SPCA on Facebook to LIKE them!

To see adoptable pets, go to http://www.rhspca.org/.

Share this blog with anyone you know! Let's get these sweet babies adopted!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Why you CAN foster pets

PetFinder published a great article: Why you CAN foster pets!

Eight Reasons You Can Foster a Pet

Thank you, Ann Marie, for sharing this article!

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Sparky's Story: New issue of People magazine

You have got to run out and pick up the newest People magazine! I so enjoyed the heartwarming story about a deaf dog that is now living at the Missouri School for the Deaf in Fulton, Mo.




Truesdell, Jeff. "Meet Sparky, A School's Best Friend." People 2 May 2011: 112. Web.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Wish Rosa luck!

My little Rosalina returned to the SPCA today to await her "furever" family. She should be adoptable within the week. Her new family will be so pleased with her behavior - she is essentially housebroken, with barely any accidents. Of course, I was taking her outside often enough for a puppy!

Here's a pic of our last few moments together. What a love bug!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Do ya got what it takes to be a foster mom?

I have two more days with Rosalina. Time flies when you're having fun!


Rosalina's daily development has been thrilling to watch. When we got Rosa from the Roanoke Valley SPCA, I was excited about the challenge to socialize this "shy" little puppy.

Let me first say... I have been a dog owner my entire life. I am pretty familiar with the care that is necessary for a dog to live a fulfilling life. I can feed the dog. I can play with the dog. I can pet the dog. Dogs need water. Sometimes dogs need medicine. Dogs need a comfy place to lay down. Dogs need some attention.

It is pretty simple.

However, when I got Rosa home for the first day at our puppy foster home, I realized that I may be in over my head...BIG TIME.

We let Rosa out of the crate in the backyard to get acquainted with her surroundings. We like to give our foster pups a chance to learn the backyard before we let the permanant (non-foster) canines out to meet them.

Rosa got acquainted with her surroundings alright. Immediately, this smart little pup found her way to the most likely escape route (at the corner of the fence in our backyard, behind the bushes). She couldn't get out of the fence (because her foster mom is a genius, and had already checked for any possible puppy escape zones). Rosa proceeded to bury herself in the leaves behind the bush.


I gave her time. Lots of time. She wasn't coming out. I had to grab and pull the terrified puppy out from the bushes. I have a poison ivy rash to prove it.

I decided to let her meet the other dogs, because clearly she wasn't SCARED ENOUGH. Sammy and Gracie came out to meet Rosa, and an amazing thing happened. Rosa LOVES the other dogs. She enjoyed their company from the get-go. Rosa just wasn't familiar with humans.

For the first week, Rosa would run and hide anytime I came into the room. It seemed that no amount of coaxing, playing, and sitting quietly could convince her that I am not an alien monster.


We would hold Rosa and give her lots of lovin', but she was always nervous around us.

Rosa was feeling a little sick a few days into our foster, and the great folks at Roanoke Valley SPCA asked me to bring her in to fix her up. Right around the same time, I emailed a "weekly update" to my good friend Ann Marie, who is the Foster Coordinator at RVSPCA. I confessed that I am not sure Rosa is enjoying her time at the Merritt foster house. I told Ann Marie that Rosa is having a hard time adjusting.

I picked up Rosalina on Saturday morning. As soon as we got home, I started to see differences in Rosa. It seemed that she was happy to be back in a home. I felt that her time in the vet had given her time to think about our happy home. Rosa almost immediately started approaching me for food, love, and attention.

As I said earlier, I now only have two days left with this little angel. I will miss Rosalina so much, and I feel a special connection to her because of the development I have witnessed. It will be hard to let her go. However, I promise you that the pros greatly outweigh the cons, and the laughter greatly outweighs the tears.

I wish for Rosa that she finds an adoptive family that has all the love she can take. I pray that her new home boasts a comfy couch, a huggable human, and maybe a dog or two.

So...do ya got what it takes to be a foster mom?

-Courage: To yank a scared pup out from behind the bushes in the backyard
-Compassion: (Obviously)
-A comfortable couch: A must-have, in my opinion
-An ink pen: To sign and abide by the foster agreement
-Objectivity: To be sad when the puppy goes back, but excited for the new experiences the puppy will have with his/her new adoptive family



To foster a puppy, fill out a foster application at www.rvspca.org and give my buddy Ann Marie a call, 540.339.9505 (if you're in the Roanoke area). If you're outside the Roanoke area, call your local SPCA.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Roanoke Valley SPCA needs foster parents, 540-339-9505


Can you make a little room in your life for this angel? This puppy and many others are waiting for a 2-6 week foster home. Call Ann Marie at RVSPCA for more information. 540-339-9505

Update on Rosalina


What a long way Rosalina has come in just one short week! Last week Rosa would run away from a human when the human entered the room. Now she is acting very much "puppy," approaching the human for love and attention.

She eats treats and food from our hands and spends time with us on the couch. I really love this little beauty.

Rosa is perfect for a home with other dogs. If you are thinking of adopting the perfect dog to get along with your other furry friends, call the Roanoke Valley SPCA, 540-339-9505.

Friday, April 15, 2011

My little Rosa


My little Rosalina has a sick stomach today so she had to go to the RVSPCA vet. (NOTE TO ALL POTENTIAL FOSTER PARENTS: RVSPCA takes care of the vet bills. Fostering pets can be one of the most REWARDING volunteer opportunities...with no financial obligation. You volunteer by investing time and love to the lil sweetie.)

Got a message from my admirable Foster Coordinator friend Ann Marie today that she is ready to be picked up from the vet, so I will be picking her up early tomorrow morning. I can't wait to see her!


Rosalina is a special-case pup. She is gorgeous, with beautiful ears that one FB friend has said are "exquisite." She is not aggressive in any way. She is, however, timid. She needs all of the calm support of a nice human in her home. She does GREAT with our other dogs. She likes to lay with my other dogs on the couch.

Rosalina's perfect home would be one with other dogs to hang out with. Do you have the perfect home for her?

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Check out this Facebook page! United Fosters of America

If you Like fostering pets, then you gotta "Like" this page:

United Fosters of America Facebook Page

United Fosters of America decided to create a Facebook page to get rescue groups and those who are interested in fostering in touch with one another.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Franklin County Humane Society needs foster parents TODAY

The Franklin County Humane Society (VA) is in need of foster homes. 2 weeks can mean the difference between life and death when the SPCAs and Humane Societies are trying to help save lives from other pounds. They have to have somewhere to put them! Providing a temporary home creates a safe place they can go until there is room on the adoption floor.

Planned Pethood Rocky Mount


Information reposted from Facebook

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Rosalina

We are so proud to have a new foster addition to our family. Rosalina is a Pit Bull mix puppy, and what a beauty! I LOVE her ears...they show so much personality!


When she first arrived at her new foster home, she realized that we are a little overwhelming. She hid under the leaves behind one of our bushes. (Note to self: clean out the leaves from under the bushes in the backyard).




My husband, Kevin (my hero), coaxed her out from behind the bush. We walked her around on the leash for a little while and then let her meet her foster brother and sister. She has already come out of her shell so much. Last night she enjoyed hanging out on the couch with the family.


Second only to motherhood of my two human children, this must be the most rewarding job I have ever had. I am so thankful to the Roanoke Valley SPCA (www.rvspca.org) for this volunteer opportunity.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Jackson may have an adoptive mommy!

I heard great news today.

I heard that Jackson has a potential adoptive Mommy.

I am bringing Jackson back to SPCA tomorrow, and I am so excited that his new adoptive Mommy will be picking him up to take him over the weekend prior to his scheduled surgery.

Should she love him as much as I do, he will not be spending much time at all in a cage at the SPCA!

Best of luck to Jackson!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Henry - Available in 757

Hi! My name is Henry! I am about a year old Cattle dog/Rottweiler mix looking for a wonderful new home. I was rescued when I was 8 months old by a nice lady from a shelter in western VA where they were going to put me down. Fortunately, she came to my rescue. I was adopted to a nice family that had a farm. They have 3 children, all bo...ys ranging from 2 years old to 9 years old. So I get along well with kids! The only problem was the farm had peacocks. I did not like the peacocks. And the peacocks did not like me. So please consider adopting me. I'm very smart and I know lots of tricks such as "sit", "lay down", "paw", and "stay." My old mom would also snap and point to tell me to leave the kitchen when she was fixing food so I wouldn't beg. I did leave the kitchen when she asked. I will listen real well as long as I can release my energy by having lots of room to run around. I just don't want a home with peacocks, please.



Contact Info:
contact Katie @ 757-636-8673
phoebesrus@hotmail.com

Planned Pethood - Franklin County needs foster parents

Planned Pethood - Franklin County needs foster parents....it's raining pups! They just got in 6 pups who are about 6 weeks old and are beagle mixes. The pups need a foster for about 2 weeks. We also need a foster for Olivia, the 8 week old lab pup that was pulled from the pound this week. Winnie & Pooh also need fosters! If you can foster, please let us know. If you need an application for fostering, e-mail jmkeffer4399@yahoo.com


http://www.plannedpethoodrockymount.com

My 1st Adoption Success Story: MAX has been adopted!


I am excited to report that the AWESOME Roanoke Valley SPCA has found a forever family for my 1st foster puppy, "Max."

Best wishes to Max and his new family!

Save this young dog!

Time is up for this young dog at the Franklin County Animal Shelter.




5 Reasons to Become a Foster Family for the Franklin County Humane Society

1. Your decision to do so can literally save a life. Each week, we get calls from the Franklin County Animal Shelter telling us how many dogs are there whose time is up. When we are full at t...he adoption center, we regularly board incoming dogs at the Rocky Mount Pet Clinic. When they are out of room there, we have nowhere to house new dogs until we have placed others. When a dog can go into a foster home, the problem is solved. If they cannot, they may very well lose their life at the county shelter.

2. You can be the link between a dog whose life is about to be thrown away and a new life in which he or she will be a cherished member of a new family. Sometimes, it’s not easy to let them go. But there is happiness in knowing you will be able to help another dog for whom you can do the same.

3. You’ll have an opportunity to teach your children empathy and the beauty of helping a living creature in desperate need.

4. You’ll know the nearly instant love of a dog grateful for your help, attention and kindness.

5. You will make a lifesaving difference for one dog at a time. Every single time. And that matters.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Franklin County Humane Society Dogs

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?aid=29565&id=100001872339781

The Franklin County pound is busting at the seams! Every kennel is full! Every single dog there had a wonderful, gentle nature; not one of these guys showed the slightest bit of aggression towards us or any of the other dogs there! They were all just super sweet and very needy of a home. When all cages are full, and more animals come in, we all know what happens, so please visit them, and maybe meet your new best friend!

2012 RVSPCA Pet Calendar Opportunity

From www.rvspca.org:

Information is now available on making your pet a part of the 2012 Pet Calendar! The Pet Calendar is a major fundraiser for the RVSPCA and features more than 200 black and white photos of pets - some with the people who love them.

The Pet Calendar is a popular gift item at holiday time, and those reserving a spot for their pet are offered the opportunity to order additional copies at a discounted price.

Don't delay! Pages sell out quickly. Download all the information and forms you need to secure your pet's place in the 2012 Pet Calendar.





http://rvspca.org/events/

Monday, April 4, 2011

Jackson

We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful 77 degree weather tonight, grilling out steak and vegetable kabobs on the patio. The dogs had a blast, running around the patio and trying to grab the tiniest morsel of human food. They played with their new PetSmart toys. I love to spend time with them. I will truly miss Jackson when he goes back to RVSPCA on Saturday, but I know he will make a great dog for one VERY lucky family.

RVSPCA needs foster parents, www.rvspca.org

Foster Help Needed
Help is needed in giving all of these beauties a good start to a new life. Fostering gives them that chance. They will be ready to go on Wednesday.








If you've never fostered before, please consider fostering as a wonderful way to give an animal a chance to find a forever home. Feel free to forward this email to any friends, relatives, colleagues, or neighbors who may be interested in helping too! The RVSPCA provides supplies, medical care, and support throughout the foster period.


If you can help with any of these animals, please call 339-9505 or email asweeney@rvspca.org. For more information regarding fostering,visit our website at www.rvspca.org or visit our facebook page at Roanoke Valley SPCA.


As always, many thanks for your help!

ASPCA's $100,000 Challenge

The polls open at 9:00 am. Vote for the RVSPCA once a day until April 15 so RVSPCA can compete in the ASPCA's $100,000 Challenge! You can vote directly from www.rvspca.org. Click on the Qualifiying Heat button on the homepage.
Vote for the RVSPCA once a day - every day. Lives are depending on it!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Transport Volunteer Opportunity: Transport Coordinator Samantha Grieves echo0195@gmail.com

PERMISSION TO CROSS-POST WIDELY!!



(I am having 2 drivers per leg, if you think you can fit everyone and don’t need a 2nd driver, please let me know. Thanks!)



You can deduct all your mileage you drive for The Last Resort Rescue transports. The deduction from your 2010 taxes that was allowed was 14 cents per mile which really, really does add up!! Any items you may have purchased for transports (puppy pads, collars, leashes, etc) that were for The Last Resort Rescue transports are also deductible.



JIFFY & LACY (Hopefully, 3rd times a charm!) COMING FROM FOSTER IN SUMMERVILLE, GA

(Rescued from Chattooga Animal Control, Summerville, GA)



BAILEY, BUTLER & SIDDHARTHA COMING FROM FOSTER IN TUSKEGEE, AL

(Rescued from the streets of AL)





TO THE LAST RESORT RESCUE, WEST MILFORD, NJ



http://www.thelastresortrescue.com/



PLEASE CROSSPOST WIDELY!!

Saturday April 9th & Sunday April 10th


**ALL RECEIVERS HAVE BEEN SCREENED AND ARE APPROVED**



Transport Coordinator:

Samantha Grieves

email: echo0195@gmail.com

Cell phone: 862-881-0568



IF YOU CAN HELP PLEASE FILL IN INFORMATION AND REPLY TO COORDINATOR



PLEASE CONTACT SAMANTHA DIRECTLY AND PROVIDE INFO BELOW


Day and Leg(s) you are offering to take
Name
Address
City/State/Zip
Home #
Cell #
Email

Rescue Reference (email preferred)
Emergency Contact phone #
Vehicle Desc
License Plate #
Suggested meeting place (if you have one)

*You only have to fill this out if you have not driven for me before



Passengers:



1. Butler – Border Collie X ~ 2.5 years, UTD

2. Bailey – Pittie X ~ 3 months, UTD

3. Siddhartha – Terrier/Hound X ~ 3 months, UTD

4. Jiffy – Shepherd X ~ 6 months, UTD

5. Lacy – Boxer X ~ 5 months, UTD




Crated furkids = Bailey & Siddhartha 21 x 24 x30


Uncrated furkids = Butler, Jiffy, Lacy





All dogs are UTD, will travel with health certificates, paperwork, collar and leash!



SATURDAY APRIL 9th 2011





LEG 1 ~~FILLED~~ Thanks Lorna!!! (Butler, Bailey & Siddhartha only!)

Tuskegee, AL to Waco, GA 116 miles 2 hr 15 min

8:00 am – 10:15 am



LEG 2 ~~NEEDED~~ (Butler, Bailey & Siddhartha only!)

Waco, GA to Summerville, GA 70 miles 1 hr 25 min

10:25 am – 11:50 am




(Lacy & Jiffy get on in Summerville)

LEG 3 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 3 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Summerville, GA to Cleveland, TN 70 miles 1 hr 20 min

12:00 pm – 1:20 pm




LEG 4 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 4 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Cleveland, TN to Knoxville, TN (I-75) 83 miles 1 hr 25 min

1:30 pm – 2:55 pm





LEG 5 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 5 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Knoxville, TN to Morristown, TN 48 miles 1 hr

3:05 pm – 4:05 pm




LEG 6 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 6 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Morristown, TN to Kingsport, TN (I-81) 48 miles 55 min

4:15 pm – 5:10 pm







LEG 7 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 7 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Kingsport, TN to Abingdon, VA (I-81) 47 miles 50 min

5:20 pm - 6:10 pm





LEG 8 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 8 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Abingdon, VA to Wytheville, VA (I-81) 55 miles 55 min

6:20 pm - 7:15 pm





LEG 9 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 9 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Wytheville, VA to Roanoke, VA (I-81) 78 miles 1 hr 20 min

7:25 pm - 8:45 pm



OVERNIGHT # 1 IN ROANOKE AREA ~~NEEDED~~

OVERNIGHT # 2 IN ROANOKE AREA ~~NEEDED~~



SUNDAY APRIL 10th 2011



LEG 10 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 10 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Roanoke, VA to Staunton, VA (I-81) 88 Miles 1 hr 30 min

8:00 am - 9:30 am





LEG 11 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 11 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Staunton, VA to Strasburg, VA (I-81) 79 miles 1 hr 5 min

9:40 am - 10:45 am







LEG 12 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 12 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Strasburg, VA to Hagerstown, MD (I-81) 62 miles 1 hr 5 min
10:55 am - 12:00 pm




LEG 13 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 13 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Hagerstown, MD to Harrisburg, PA (I-81) 77 miles 1 hr 15 min
12:10 pm - 1:25 pm





LEG 14 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 14 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Harrisburg, PA to Hamburg, PA (I-81 to I-78) 55 miles 1 hr

1:35 pm - 2:35 pm





LEG 15 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 15 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Hamburg, PA to Easton, PA (I-78) 44 miles 50 min

2:45 pm - 3:35 pm





LEG 16 Driver #1 ~~NEEDED~~

LEG 16 Driver #2 ~~NEEDED~~

Easton, PA to Newfoundland, NJ (I-287) 75 miles 1 hr 20 min

3:45 pm - 5:05 pm



Passenger #1 Name: Butler

Breed: Border Collie X
Color: Black & White
Sex: Male
Age: 2.5 years
Weight: 45 lbs
Altered: yes
Crate: no
Leash/Collar: yes (but bring just in case!)
Vaccinations: UTD
Health Issues: none known
Behavior Issues: none known

Passenger #2 Name: Bailey

Breed: Pittie X
Color: Black w/white
Sex: Female
Age: 3 months
Weight: 15 lbs
Altered: no
Crate: unsure
Leash/Collar: yes (but bring just in case!)
Vaccinations: UTD
Health Issues: missing 2 toes from frostbite
Behavior Issues: none known

Passenger #3 Name: Siddhartha

Breed: Terrier/Hound X
Color: Beige
Sex: Female
Age: 3 months
Weight: 15 lbs
Altered: no, will be done by receiving rescue
Crate: unsure yet
Leash/Collar: yes (but bring just in case!)
Vaccinations: UTD
Health Issues: none known
Behavior Issues: none known

Passenger #4 Name: Jiffy

Breed: Shepherd X
Color: Black & Tan
Sex: Male
Age: 6 months
Weight: 30lbs
Altered: no will be done by receiving rescue
Crate: unsure yet

Leash/Collar: yes (but bring just in case!)
Vaccinations: UTD
Health Issues: none known
Behavior Issues: none known

Passenger #5 Name: Lacy

Breed: Boxer X
Color: Charcoal Brown
Sex: Female
Age: 5 months
Weight: 30 lbs
Altered: no, will be done by receiving rescue
Crate: no
Leash/Collar: yes (but bring just in case!)
Vaccinations: UTD
Health Issues: none known
Behavior Issues: none known

Receiving Rescue: The Last Resort, Samantha Grieves
--
Respectfully,

Samantha, Angel Echo, Angel Goobey, Abbie, Nalu, Kodah & Laska

www.TheLastResortRescue.com

ASPCA $100,000 Challenge



The RVSPCA must be one of 50 shelters to receive the most votes during the voting period. Voting period is April 4-15. Help and vote online everyday at http://www.votetosavelives.org/, or go to the RVSPCA website - www.rvspca.org and click on the "Vote Everyday" button.

Playing with foster pup "Jackson" in the backyard


Puppies are so fun! Thought I would share this sweet photo of foster pup "Jackson" - available for adoption from RVSPCA mid-April. www.rvspca.org

Friday, April 1, 2011

Moments

I don't let my pups sleep in my bed.  I like to crate-train my pups.  They sleep in their crates.  They enjoy their crates.  Every once in awhile, however, it is nice to sleep on the couch with my dogs.  Right now I feel lucky that I have Jackson sleeping soundly on my legs, while Sam and Grace lay at the end of the couch.  I think about "moments" that are created in a foster care situation.  This is, indeed, a sweet "moment" in my foster pup's life.

Are there downsides to fostering?  Sure.  After a few weeks, the puppy will be ready to be available for adoption to his/her forever family.  You have to take the puppy BACK.  It is difficult.  I am not going to lie and say that I have not "boo-hoo'ed" my way driving home after taking a foster puppy back.

The pros of fostering dogs greatly outweigh the cons.  Three of the pros:
  • Fostering pups is a cost-free volunteer opportunity.  Food and supplies are provided.
  • You make a long-term difference in a short-term period.  Socializing, housebreaking, and minor training will create a more adoptable puppy.
  • Puppy kisses are so sweet.
I am so lucky to be sitting on this couch with my two perma-pups and my sweet little sleepy foster.  I am grateful to the Roanoke Valley SPCA for this opportunity.

"Jackson" - April 1, 2011

Jackson is so smart.  We have had him for a little over a week now, and he has discovered how to climb over the baby gate I use to keep my pups from the "clean area" of the house.  The reason he climbs over the gate, of course, is to hang out with his humans.  Jackson would prefer to hang out on the couch with me all day long.  If it were up to him, we would both be major couch potatoes.

Jackson's favorite show is "Totally Wild" on NatGeo, but he enjoys any shows where he can hear animals.  He perks up his ears and turns his head as if to say, "Are there furry friends in that TV?"  This puppy's favorite lineup does not include American Idol, Law and Order SVU, or Forensic Files, so he just shuts his eyes and lays on my lap while I watch those.