WHO: Marcy

WHAT: Young female Terrier/Chihuahua mix

WHERE: Tuscaloosa, Alabama  

Meet Little Miss Personality! Marcy is a three year old with a white smooth coat with reddish brown markings. At only 7.5 pounds, this little cutie is packed with personality plus! 

Marcy was pulled from the local animal shelter where she had been picked up as a stray and no one came to claim her. She is very loving and sweet and will make a wonderful companion pet. She has some energy and will need exercising but she would be fine in an apartment. Please note she must be an inside dog. 

Marcy is ok but nervous around other dogs. Because she is rather fragile, she won't be adopted out to families with children under 12. We don't know how she is around cats. 

Marcy is up to date on her vet care, heartworm negative, microchipped and will be spayed prior to her adoption. She is on heartworm and flea/tick prevention and has started on her crate training.

Marcy is currently at the Humane Society of West Alabama. For more information about Marcy, or their other adoptable pets; please call 205 554-0011 or visit their website 

Home of 319,766 adoptable pets from 13,743 adoption groups.

Please email me at kirbythedorkie@gmail.com if you have a rescue or shelter organization, or an adoptable dog that you would like to have featured.

Yogurt Melts

I shared these last summer on Kirby's Facebook Page where they were a huge hit.  Just one tasty, healthy ingredient and you have a handy cold treat for a hot summer day. Super easy too! Just scoop some all natural yogurt into a squirt bottle which can be found at any dollar store, better yet save that plastic mayo bottle to use.

If you use a yogurt with fruit you need to puree it so it won't clog the end of the cap opening. When choosing the yogurt be sure to read the ingredients - little or no sugar! I like using the greek yogurts which are a little thicker than regular yogurt.

Squeeze drops onto a foil or wax paper lined bake sheet. Don't worry about the ddrops all matching in size because your dog really won't notice. Place baking sheet in freezer until yogurt has frozen.  Remove to freezer safe plastic container or ziplock bags and store in the freezer. Sometimes I use plain yogurt, sometimes I pick a dog friendly flavor. Kirby likes either way.

Just as easy is to blend your own fruit with the yogurt.  We have a blueberry bush so I freeze quite a bit when it's producing.  Add 1 cup your choice fruit to a 6 oz tub of plain yogurt. 

Puree and make some yogurt melts.

 Lets see, Kirby likes banana, blueberry, cherry, pineapple... me too!

First, let me explain what a pizzle is in case you don't know. It's the penis from a bull, hence a bully stick. I don't allow Kirby to chew rawhide which doesn't digest easily so these are the closest he gets while still remaining relatively safe. He probably loves these more than any chew ever created in the history of mankind! On average he gets one every couple of weeks. The one side effect is his breath, his stinking, nasty breath. There is no point brushing his teeth and tongue in between his chewing his beloved pizzle so I have to endure his horrid breath until bedtime when the pizzle is taken away and teeth are brushed.

Callie graciously sent Kirby a package containing several bully sticks which was wonderful since our foster, Kora, could have her very own. They both loved the 10" curly bully sticks, the 12" standard bully sticks, and the 12" braided bully sticks.

Back to where I had to admit I was wrong - all bully sticks are not made equal. These have a very low odor which meant neither Kirby nor Kora had stinky breath! Hallalueah! Another benefit which I consider so important is they are100% natural free-range cattle pizzles made in the USA.  

Funny coincidence is when we were in Atlanta a few months back we purchased a package of frozen pizzles which I dehydrated. It was easy to do and they also had a low odor factor, but I just found it so gross that I had to wear gloves. I'll still make my own once in a while just cos it's cheaper even though  mine didn't come out as big as these are. Apparently raw liver I can handle, raw pizzles not so much!

As you can see, both dogs loved them which they devoured with such gusto. I dont let Kirby, or any foster, have access to chews while I am away so every evening after dinner they each stayed busy whittlin away allowing me to get some work done. I love them so much I decided to place an ongoing order and become an affiliate. Kirby and Kora give Best Bully Sticks 4 paws and a wag!

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Disclaimer: We received the bully sticks from Best Bully Sticks in exchange for a review.  Our opinion is our own based on our experience and we do recommend this product. 

Kirby loves the outdoors spending every chance he gets wandering around investigating new plants sprouting up from the ground and checking all the changes going on. Here are our tips and the guidelines we use for a happy, safe spring.

1. The weather is finally beginning to warm up from the cold winter so now is the time for Kirby's haircut. He gets regular trimming of his face and feet year round but that hair has grown into a curly thick coat. Much too hot for this boy. Over time I have perfected "The Kirby cut" to shorten the hair from his neck to his tail. Remember that cutting the coat too short can invite sunburn so don't let that trim turn into a shave. I'm very lucky Kirby doesn't shed but many breeds have an undercoat that begins to naturally shed. A really good brushing is essential to speed along its removal. I have heard great results have been acheived using the furminator so if your dog has a double or thick coat this handy tool could be a lifesaver.

2. I love putting clothes on Kirby. He's just so darn cute in a polo or jammies! When it starts warming up those clothes are packed away. No amount of cuteness is worth a heat stroke. I do, however, pull out his EzyDog life vest. A quick wipe down and check for proper fit and any tears means he's ready for those swim events he dearly loves. I keep it in his travel bag because you just never know when an opportunity might present itself and I really hate when I have to say no to that earnest face. I swear I can see him go from a smile to total dejection. 

3. We live in Mississippi so it's a year round battle against fleas for us. I dont use the spot on products and flea collars on the market since they have been documented to cause potentially lethal harm which you can read about here. In fact I am so afraid of them that I opt to let a vet student apply the required product to any foster we may be caring for. For Kirby, I choose to use natural products for both his safety and my peace of mind. We are currently using Sentry Natural Defense which has essential oils that repel those nasty creatures. I can recommend Tropiclean Neem shampoo which I bathe him with in the summer months. I also sprinkle Diatomaceous earth in the flower beds and near the doorways. Another great weapon in this on going battle is Dawn dish detergent for killing present fleas on the dog and in the grass. We don't have a problem with ticks but I do check him regularly when bathing and brushing his coat. If you live near wooded areas check every day with a nice massage, a great bonding time for you and your dog.

4. Its time to clean up the yard which means cutting grass, trimming shrubs and preparing beds and gardens. Pet proofing the yard can mean the difference in having a fun time or racing to the vet because Kirby has ingested a poison or been injured. We do fun pictures of Kirby with lawn mowers, rakes, and such with a high level of security in place. We take precautions to guarantee his safety. Mowing or weeding requires he be inside. We don't use any chemicals in our beds which he could at some point ingest. No plants known to be dangerous to dogs grow in our backyard except the tomatoes which are surrounded by wire caging.

5. Spring cleaning the home can also have dangerous outcomes so we stick with non-toxic products. I'll put together a list such as using clorox to knock down spider webs.  Keep any dangerous products out of harm's reach.

6. Allergies abound during spring for many pets causing watery eyes, sneezing, and itchy skin. Its recommended to take walks in the early morning or late at night when pollen counts are at their lowest. A quick wipedown with a wet towel of the body, and especially the feet, can remove most of the pollen. One of the best remedies, or rather preventatives, is using locally harvested honey which helps build an immunity in the dogs system. Kirby enjoys his daily1/4 teaspoon.

7. My chunky monkey always gains some extra weight during the winter months but becomes more active as the days warm up and get longer. We keep fresh water on the deck for him and engage him in short bursts of activity keeping an eye on his breathing. Panting is ok. Heavy panting means he needs to take a break inside with the air conditioner. Heat stroke can happen quickly so keep an eye out for the early signs. NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG ALONE IN A CAR ON A HOT DAY - 15 MINUTES CAN MEAN A SLOW AGONIZING DEATH.

So there you have it. Our spring has sprung list. Let me know if I left off something or you have a better suggestion because inquiring minds really do want to know!