Teresa owns a photography studio in Dallas where she photographs people and pets. Teresa also volunteers her time with an organization she founded called Focus on Rescue. It is this second project which brought her to my attention. Puppy adoption websites are filled with awful pictures. Obviously, in this internet age, a first impression photo from the web can make all the difference in a pet being adopted or not. So, Teresa volunteers her time with rescue groups and shelters taking glamour shots of the dogs.
Her photographs have helped speed up adoption rates and cut down time in foster care from 3-6 months to 8 weeks –making room for more homeless animals. She publishes calendars and greeting cards showing the beautiful faces of adopted animals to raise awareness for their quality and beauty.
Focus on Rescue seems like a spectacular idea and recently finished a photography webinar series – saving lives with cameras.
It’s not something we want to think about, but sometimes we must. I ran across a particularly powerful and useful article in the Fort Worth Star Telegram which covers the tragedy of losing a pet and what to do.
There are several useful highlights in the article to keep in mind.
Call your vet. Vets are well equipped for these situations and know what to do when your pet dies.
City ordinances, at least in Fort Worth, prohibit burying your pet in the backyard.
Physically, you have several hours to decide what to do. It does not require calling an emergency 24 hour vet. Emotionally, you may not want to wait.
A few local businesses will pickup your pet 24 hours a day. The businesses mentioned in Fort Worth are:
Hopefully by now you are one of the five million people who have watched this amazing game day commercial teaser from Volkswagen.
If not, enjoy:
We have been having some discussion in this dog-loving, Star-Wars-loving family about which breed represents what Star Wars character of “the bark side”. Starting at the front left, here is our list of guesses of AKC breeds and Star Wars characters from this Super Bowl ad:
Front Row: What breed is Princess Leia? Papileia is a Papillon.
How do we know the Papillon is Princess Leia?
Fooled by the fake ears, at first we thought it might be a mismarked Cavalier, but when you watch this commercial in HD, you can see her papillon ears when she turns. The buns/ears are just a wig. Her markings match Leia’s dress and her small blaze matches Leia’s part.
What breed is Luke Skywalker? Luke Dogwalker is a Jack Russell Terrier.
How do we know the Jack Russell Terrier is Luke Skywalker?
Luke’s lightsaber is the instant clue here. This particular wire haired terrier is colored very white, matching Luke’s shirt. The AKC does not have a “Jack Russell” terrier in conformation as the name was recently changed to Parson Russell terrier. This dog is not a West Highland terrier (westie) nor a fox terrier.
What breed is Yoda? Yodog is a Chihuahua.
How do we know the Chihuahua is Yoda?
A chihuahua’s ears are very similar to Yoda’s, and his coat is the perfect color to match Yoda’s coat. Also, both the Chihuahua and Yoda are known for their small size.
What breed is Wicket the Ewok? Doggiewok is a Mix.
How do we know this dog is an Ewok?
His cowl, color, and looks make this one easy.
This is not a particular AKC breed. He is a mix and could be part Brussels Griffon or part Affenpinscher or part terrier.
Middle Row: What breed is R2-D2? R2-D-PUG is a Pug
How do we know the Pug is R2-D2 and not Jabba the Hutt or a Rancor?
the shape
they are both mostly white with a colored head
the pug never barks/Artoo never talks
He is positioned next to his best pal C-3P0
R2 is too essential of a character to not be represented.
What breed is Han Solo? Hound Solo is an American Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
How do we know the Staffie is Han Solo?
The black vest over white shirt is very similar to this Am Staff’s colors and he’s next to Chewy. You can also see his blaster when the howling starts.
What breed is Chewbacca? Chew-bacon is a Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
How do we know the Polish Lowland Sheepdog is Chewie?
His looks, bandolier, and voice solo. Wouldn’t it be great to have a dog that actually barks/howls like that?
Thanks to Andrew for the breed ID. He sent me pictures of his Charlie who he says would make a Chewbacca noise when tickled!
What breed is Darth Vader? Doggie Vader is a Labrador Retriever
How do we know the black lab is Darth Vader?
This black lab is wearing Darth Vader’s chest panel. However, it’s difficult to imagine any sort of lab terrorizing the galaxy.
Back Row: What breed is C-3P0? C-3PUP-0 is an Ibizan Hound
How do we know the Ibizan hound is Threepio?
His costume and color. My first thought was that he was Luke during the awards ceremony at the end of Episode IV: A New Hope, but Luke’s lightsaber on the Parson Russell terrier is too obvious. It’s possible this breed is a Portuguese Podengo.
What breed is Obi-Wan Kenobi? Ovi-Shla Kenobi is a Vizsla
How do we know the Vizsla is Old Ben?
This is the other difficult character to figure out, but we know because their coats are the same color. Also, Obi-Wan is too important a character to not be represented.
What breed is the Imperial Stormtrooper?
The CookieTrooper is an Olde English Bulldogge
How do we know the Bulldog is a Stormtrooper?
His markings are very similar to a Stormtrooper. You can also clearly see his Stormtrooper blaster when the Havanese makes his Chewbacca sound at 0:36.
Surprise guest star
What breed is the AT-AT?
The Whippet-AT is a Whippet
How do we know the Whippet is an AT-AT?
His costume. Also, this dog is not an Italian Greyhound. * Around Halloween 2011, some great pictures of an Italian greyhound named Bones Mello circulated around the Internet. Here is his Facebook page. Bones’ costume was a bit more elaborate than the Whippet’s costume.
If you have any corrections, feel free to email me. May the force be with you.
Royal Spaniels is our favorite Cavalier magazine, packed full of beautiful high-resolution photographs. If you aren’t subscribed, you are missing out. It’s a true delight.
Bingley, however, is not sure what to think of these incredibly realistic photos. He wants to make sure these “new” dogs know that he is The Big Dog.
I found this image on a tumblr blog called I Love Old Magazines. Its from a 1976 issue of Ebony.
Most of the information seems to be fairly good although the way we think about feeding our dogs has certainly changed quite a bit over the past 35 years.
Most pet foods sold in grocery stores are full of corn and by-products. We recommend you try to stick to natural foods made with whole grains and plenty of real meat (never corn, wheat, soy or by-products.)
Despite all the fancy breeding, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels will still eat anything. Myra Savant Harris once told me that she imported some beautiful Cavaliers from England. She thought these proper lady Cavaliers would be more refined in their tastes. Perhaps they would prefer tea and crumpets? Unfortunately, they ate poop, just like their American counterparts.
A dogs digestive system is far more sturdy than our own, but it’s still important to make sure you watch your dogs diet. Obesity is an especially great danger to Cavaliers.
Click photo for link to cute Spaniel Cake Pops by Cake Poppins.
We all know that chocolate is poisonous to our dogs. But have you ever wondered how much? What happens when your precious Cavalier King Charles Spaniel digs in the trash and finds an old Twix wrapper?
National Geographic has put together a handy chart/calculator to help determine how much is too much. It lists white chocolate, milk chocolate, dark, semi-sweet, baking and cocoa powder.
Spoiler alert: for the average 16 pound cavalier Kling Charles spaniel, it takes as little as one ounce of dark chocolate to make them sick. Five ounces of dark chocolate can kill them. Cocoa powder is much more concentrated and takes less than an ounce before the dog is in danger of death. Milk chocolate is less dangerous. For example, 70 Milk Chocolate Hershey Kisses could kill a Cavalier; 11 will make one sick.
Remember, even if it says Black and Tan Chocolate, it is not to be given to a Black and Tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Indulge responsibly.
Footnote: How cute are those cake pops in the top photo?! No, I will not be bringing them to the next Cavalier club meeting. Mine would inevitably look like rock monsters instead.
Meet Teresa Berg.
What breed is Princess Leia?
What breed is Luke Skywalker?
What breed is Yoda?
What breed is Wicket the Ewok?
What breed is R2-D2?
What breed is Han Solo?
What breed is Chewbacca?
What breed is Darth Vader?
What breed is C-3P0?
What breed is Obi-Wan Kenobi?
What breed is the Imperial Stormtrooper?
Indulge responsibly.
