ummm, what?

So I stumbled across something mind-blowing yet somehow slightly disturbing today folks. The picture above is a DOG house. A. DOG. HOUSE. The Well-Appointed Home store offers luxury dog houses in several styles.

People... these are nicer than my own house (and probably not much smaller). Since I already live with five dogs anyway, perhaps I should just buy one of these, stick it on a plot of land, move in and call it a day.

confessing my sins

I graduated from Clemson University, and I am a PROUD and ENTHUSIASTIC Clemson supporter. So it is with a great deal of shame that I post these pictures here today. I'm treating this as a sort of confession so that I may be absolved of my sins.

A store in Columbia requested these for football season... and I WILL be making some orange and purple ones this weekend. But in the meantime, here are the Carolina collars I made this week...

Alina Kremer

My fabulous three: Sullivan, Mona Mae and Oliver

I had been debating the idea of having my dogs' portraits painted for some time. About a year ago, I took the plunge and started looking around for someone who's style was just right, and who's pricing was just right for my pocketbook...

I found everything I was looking for with Alina Kremer, an artist who is able to really capture every dog's unique personality. She was a pleasure to work with, and was more than willing to make any changes I asked for. It took me forever to decide on a background color for my portrait, and she put up with me as I constantly changed my mind and sent her random photos to pull from.

Please check out all of her work here.

ella dish

Ella Dish makes these collars that are my favorite choice for my dogs to wear when they're getting down and dirty... no nice fabric to worry about, no fancy embellishments... just cute, sturdy collars that even come with glow-in-the-dark hardware!

They always have the best designs, and their new stuff is fantastic. My favorites are above and below... Check them out here.

handsome boy needs a home

So my house is a little more crowded since yesterday... I picked Quincy up from the Greenville County Animal Shelter, and boy, was he glad to see me. He is such a lovable guy. He loves everyone he meets, and is so friendly and outgoing.

This sweet man needs a home quick before I'm too far gone in love with him to let him go. I truly think he might be the most beautiful dog I've ever had. He's completely vetted, neutered and ready to go. And he's only about 1.5 years old. I'd appreciate my readers' help in finding him a forever home.

Please forward this post out to all your contacts and crosspost on your blogs, facebook and myspace pages. I appreciate your help.

back to rescue!

Well, the original purpose of this blog was to promote my animal rescue efforts... and since the puppies left me a few months ago, it's been relatively quiet around these parts. But that's about to change. Meet Quincy:



This beautiful guy was scheduled for euthanization this morning at the Greenville County Animal Shelter. He is a two year old American Staffordshire Terrier mix. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting him yet, but I've been told he's an absolute sweetheart. I pick him up on Thursday, and he'll come back with me. We'll work on housetraining, obedience, manners... so that he's ready to go to his new home as soon as possible.

If anyone out there is potentially interested in this beautiful guy, please let me know. I'll provide more information and better pictures later this week once he's with me (horrible picture above... it's the one provided by the shelter).

Brunch with Lulu

I'm so excited to share some new photos of little Lulu... who's not so little anymore! I had brunch with my friend Becky, Lu's mom, and I was so happy to be able to see the pup for the first time in months.

She's grown like a weed, but she's just a sweet as can be. Penny would be proud.

my store is finally open!

I'm very excited to be able to announce the opening of my online store. There's not a ton of inventory right now, but I'll be working to remedy that in the next few weeks. Everything is handmade by yours truly, so I'll be cranking collars out as quickly as possible. Please tell all your dog-owner friends about http://www.pecanpiepuppies.etsy.com/... if I'm successful with the collars, I hope to branch out into dog beds, crate covers and other puppy accessories. Thanks for all your support!

it never ends

Jackson, an Aussie mix, was turned in because his owners were moving.

To inquire about him, email animalcareservices@greenvillecounty.org.

Today is one of those days that I know every single person involved with animal rescue has from time to time. We all continue to plug away... taking in an animal whenever we can... somehow finding a little more room in our home and our wallet to help one more.

But today is one of those days where you wonder how in the world you're making a difference when there are still so many animals out there being neglected, abandoned or abused. How can I POSSIBLY make a dent in this problem?? My heart is literally breaking this morning.

I get weekly emails from the Greenville and Charleston Animal Shelters that list out all the dogs and cats that are scheduled to be euthanized that week. Each week - tons and tons of animals are being destroyed simply because their owners are too stupid, mean or lazy to take care of them or have them spayed or neutered. Beside each animal they list why they're currently in the shelter. The main reason listed? "SURRENDERED DUE TO LIFESTYLE CHANGE."

What? WHAT?

These animals are not outdated upholstery or an old lamp you don't like anymore. They are living, breathing, LOVING beings that deserve more than to be tossed aside like an old rag. The people that turn in these poor animals take better care of their CARS.

I try so hard to maintain an upbeat tone here on my blog, but I had to take some time this morning to vent about this sobering reality. I ask each and every person that reads this blog to please take the time to consider rescuing or fostering an animal in need. It's really not that hard and I'm alway happy to help place rescues in forever homes.

If you're not able to take another animal into your home, please consider donating and becoming an advocate for these animals.

I encourage anyone who's willing to compile an email list of their contacts and send weekly emails that include this website, Noah's Ark. They provide the euthanization lists for Greenville, Charleston and Darlington each week. These are the poor souls that have not made it onto the adoption floor and will be put to sleep unless rescued that week.

Barley at the Charleston Animal Shelter is sweet and quiet... email casara405@aol.com or call 843-747-4849.

Katie is a small shepherd mix at the Darlington shelter... email raindoggies@live.com.

Petey at the Charleston shelter... sweet and outgoing. Email casara405@aol.com or call 843-747-4849.