Shopmollyd

The Old Man and the Starfish

2009-10-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

A young man was walking along the beach when he noticed something very strange up ahead. The beach was covered in what seemed like thousands of starfish, and an old man was slowly reaching down, picking up one starfish at a time and throwing it back into the sea.

Approaching the old man he said,"There are thousands of starfish stranded here, and you're throwing them back one at a time? How can you possibly think that you're making a difference?"

The old man slowly reached down, picked up another starfish and with a loud grunt, threw it as far out into the sea as he could.

Turning to the young man, he said, "Made a difference to that one."

Today is National Make a Difference Day, and I just wanted to post a thank you to all of you who work so hard for the hounds. There are so many of you who go above and beyond in your efforts, and the difference you make is beyond compare.

But, like me, there are also so many who have rescued one or two pups in need. I know I sometimes feel like I haven't really made that much of a difference when I think of the tens of thousands of homeless or suffering dogs. But then I look at Mollyd who we brought home literally minutes before she was to be put down, and Jimmy, and Petey, and Tilly whose stories are similar. No, some of us have opened our hearts and homes (and wallets) to only a few dogs, but like the old man and the starfish, we should remember that maybe we can't help them all, but we made a difference to that one.

Dachshund Must-Haves for an Island Stay

2009-08-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite weekend stress relieving activities is to stop in at GNO to connect with the girlfriends. This weekend there's a challenge and Mollyd herself has taken it on! First read about the challenge, then read on for Mollyd's list for the well-prepared pup...

Dee's Challenge
"This weekend, we'll be doing something different and we'll just call it a Blog party until I come up with something else. I'll do all the thinking, you just enjoy the writing and comments. I'm going to give you a blog theme to post on your blog for the weekend, you blog about it, then post your link in Mr. Linky below. You can blog with word, pictures videos or whatever you come up with. Come back during the weekend and visit the links below for other bloggers posts and leave comments on their post...that's it! Oh, and grab a Girls Night Out badge to the left and post it at the heading of your post, so all will know that you're participating in a Girls Night Out event."

Mollyd's List of Must-Haves For A Stay on The Islands:

1. Petey- Petey is Mollyd's boyfriend and quite the hunter. He will provide all the meals.

2. Pedigree MarroBones- The best snack ever for between meals! Mollyd has a special dance that means "Give me one NOW!"

3. Blankie- For proper sleeping, a doxie's head must be under the blankie at all times.

4. Mom- For scritching that hard to reach spot just above her tail.

5. Papa- For the required daily cuddle time.

6. Couch- Mollyd does NOT sleep on the ground, carpeted floor, tile, or any other hard surface.

7. Britta Water Filter- Mollyd does NOT drink unfiltered water.

8. Tilly and Her Ball- For entertainment.

9. Jimmy- To take care of any barking emergencies.

10. Personal Jet or Yacht- Because when it's time to go, Mollyd is NOT waiting around to be "rescued". She was already rescued once, and that was enough.

Sham "Wow" For Pet Urine?

2009-08-29T12:50:00.001-07:00

Our four doxies are what I call "reverse camels". They are at the water bowl all the time, but can "hold" it forever- or rather they can hold it until there's no one around to open the door. Sooooo- we bought the ol' steam cleaner and some stock in paper towel companies. Then I started seeing the "Sham Wow" commercials, you know the ones where they spill a whole two liter bottle of soda on the carpet and magically the Sham Wow just sucks up the whole thing.

I finally broke down and bought it while we were in Oregon at the farmer's market. The guy demonstrated its magical powers right in front of me, and I went home minus $25.00, but I got TWO sets as a "special offer"!

I anxiously waited for one of the doxies to have an accident which took only about half an hour. With my new Sham Wow in hand, I headed for the wet spot. You're suppossed to use it damp, wash it in the washing machine, but not put it in the dryer. So I dampened it, wrung it out, and pressed it on the urine spot...and pretty much nothing happened. I stood on it and a little more came up, but nothing like what I get with the paper towels. I decided that the difference was that the guy who demonstrated it used a square of carpet with no carpet pad underneath to hold onto the liquid. I think carpet padding is like a super Sham Wow.

Disappointed that I had spent so much on yet another thing that doesn't work the way it's supposed to, I threw it in the washer and then the dryer. I used the rest of the Sham Wows as dust cloths (they work great for this) and wash rags (great for this, too).

BUT, the one that had gone through the dryer got brought out for one more accident (I'm a sucker for giving second chances). It had shrunk to about 1/3 of its size in the dryer, but this time it worked pretty well! Still not as good as paper towels, but since it's reusable, over time worth it.

So what's the final verdict on the amazing "Sham Wow"? If you need some really expensive dust rags, you will like it. Works OK for pet accidents, but nothing to rave about. If you've had better success, I'd love to hear your comments.

Mollyd's Mom

Woof Out Loud Wednesday

2009-08-26T19:15:00.000-07:00

These gave me such a giggle, I just had to share them with you!

Doggie Fashion Parade

2009-08-24T20:03:00.000-07:00

With the holidays not that far in the future, it’s time to think about how to present your most fashionable self at all those get-togethers! And don’t forget about those cold winter walks! You’ll need to look your best when you’re out walking your human! So, Mollyd has scoured her favorite site (Etsy, of course) for the best in custom made hound fashion at some unbelievable prices! I’ll bet you won’t be able to wait to get your paws on some of these for the “haute” dog!

How cute is this for those Halloweenie parties? And at $9.50, it’s a real steal! And Mollyd loves the name of this shop- PhatMolly !

Mollyd found this one over at aandboriginals. A must have for those Tailgates at the games this winter.

You’ll stay toasty warm in this handsome jacket for the well- dressed winter hound by WarmWags

PuttinOnTheDogIG is a specialty shop where Mollyd found the perfect polka dot PJs for those cold winter nights!

Come on girls! You know you’ve secretly always wanted a tutu! You can get this at CrazyForCollars on Etsy.

And don’t forget to dress up your human! You can get this beautiful bracelet at Lizziestardust. The most exciting thing is that this one goes to help some hounds in desperate need, so you are being an angel to some very deserving hounds. You know how THAT gets Mollyd’s tail waggin’!

Stop by Etsy and check out all the great fashion for pups! And of course Mollyd would love it if you stopped by her shop, too,- ShopMollyd

Some Giggles For Tuesday

2009-08-18T17:17:00.000-07:00

Nail Trimming 101

2009-08-17T15:53:00.000-07:00

If you are like I used to be, you’d rather pay any amount to a professional than try to tackle trimming your pup’s nails. It doesn’t help that some dogs act as if you’re tying to cut off their entire leg with squirming, whining and Academy Award winning drama!
But if you’ve mustered up your courage and decided to save a few bucks by doing it yourself, here is Nail Trimming 101 for the beginner.

Types of nail trimmers

Guillotine- To use this type of nail trimmer, always position it so the blade is on the underside of the nail and cuts in an upward motion.

Plier Type- Position these on each side of the nail and squeeze shut. These will need to be sharpened from time to time.

Sander type- These are battery operated or electric and have a sanding belt to slowly grind the nail down. Do remember that the friction heats up the nail! You can only apply it to the nail for a few seconds at a time.

When to trim:
If your dog’s nails are starting to curve, that’s a sign it’s time for a trim. A clicking noise when your dog walks on a hard surface also indicates that the nails need trimming.

How To Start
Trim a very small amount off the tip of the nail. Keep checking the clipped part of your dog's nail and look out for a dark spot in the middle of the newly clipped area - this shows the start of the quick - do not cut too far into this. Taking just tiny nibbles, you will then start to see a pale third inner circle. Stop there - or else you are likely to hurt your dog.
Hold your pup on your lap or sit next to him on the couch or floor. As you trim, praise him in a quiet voice. You can offer a treat after finishing each paw. Tilly, my hyperactive dachshund, is obsessed with chasing her ball so I reward her by having a ball throwing session after I finish each paw. This made her go from a squirming ball of fur to sitting quietly in my lap.

What to do if…
Yikes! I cut too far and now it’s bleeding!: Try not to panic. You have cut into the quick where the blood supply is. Press a styptic pencil (available at your drug store) on the end of the nail. This is a clotting agent and should stop the bleeding fairly quickly. Do keep an eye on the paw for a few days as this is an open wound. If you see any signs of pain or swelling, have your vet examine the nail for infection.

My dog’s nails are way overgrown. How do I get them to be the right length? :

There are two problems to be aware of here. A dog’s nails curve as they grow and can actually curve so far that they grow INTO the flesh! Overgrown nails can also cause the foot to spread injuring the bones of the paw. In either of these cases, you must have a vet deal with the issue. If neither of these problems is an issue, getting the nails back to the proper length will be a process. As he nails grow, the quick grows out, too. You will have to trim just the smallest amount off each week. In between clippings, gently file the tip of the nail. This will help to make the quick recede. It may take many weeks to get the nails at a more manageable length, but keep at it. Warning: Cutting into the quick to try to shorten the nail too quickly is not only painful for the dog, but can lead to infection (and a very large vet bill!)

Dog Tied Up And Left To Die

2009-08-14T18:54:00.000-07:00

Mollyd Says

UPDATE: The ending gets happier!

Just heard that this little sweetie is eating and drinking well and has even managed a short walk! Wonderful and amazing! 8/16/09

Kind of hard to write about this one because my two paws are clenched into two little fists and to tell you the truth, I just want to bite these evil people! I’ll let you read the story for yourself, but I warn you- you’ll need a box of tissues. This beautiful, sweet creature was not only abandoned and left to die, but I can’t imagine the horrors she had to endure before that! GRRRRRRRRR!

Now this is why Mollyd’s mom says: If you know of an animal that is being neglected or abused, you MUST report it! Please don’t wait for someone else to do it. I personally believe you are obligated to take the same steps you would take if it were a child being abused. It is our duty to speak up for these sweet creatures that can’t speak for themselves.

(Click on "read the story for yourself" to be linked to article)

Extra Doxie Hugs and Kisses

Up And Coming Blog Star Award

2009-08-14T17:16:00.000-07:00

Mollyd Says

My tail is really wagging today! ShopMollyd has been nominated for the Up And Coming Blog Star Award! Since this doxie is brand new to blogging, that's quite a compliment! I'll try to live up to the "Blog Star" name!

What I really like about this award is that you must "pay it forward" to some other really super up and coming blogs. Here are some blogs that get the Four Paws Up from Mollyd!

You all know Lainey's mom, the cookie baker. Stop by and see what new in her kitchen! Girl's Night Out is a fun time online when you're stuck at home on a Friday night AND there are always giveaways! If you're a businesswomen, kMT is a must follow. You won't believe the wealth of information and success tips you'll find. And if you're like me and spend forever looking for the perfect card to send to that special someone, you have to take a look at Jan's cards on Etsy and her blog. She has a special design and does custom designs for my greyhounds pals!

Doxie Hugs and Kisses

A little greyhound song for you this morning!

2009-08-09T07:09:00.000-07:00

Greyhound Rescue

2009-08-06T14:35:00.000-07:00

Becky in her special carriage.

Mollyd Says: It’s all about the hounds!
I’m sure that by now all my pup pals know that being a rescue myself, learning about humans who give their time, money, homes, and lives to saving pups like me gets my tail wagging! Since my cousins, Marley and Keiki, are greyhounds, I want to introduce you to two very special groups that work hard for pup rescue.
First, I want to share the sad story of Becky, the beautiful greyhound. Becky was only 15 months old when she was brought in from the tracks by WAG, We Adopt Greyhounds, already feeling sick. At the track, right after she had been spayed, she was given treatment for heartworms and nine vaccinations all on the same day. Her reaction was serious. She was in pain, feverish, and couldn’t even get up to walk without help. After many tests and visits to specialists, it was diagnosed that she had a condition whose title is as long as this doxie, basically her body began attacking her joints! Very painful and very expensive to treat. Poor Becky requires many medications and doctor’s visits. WAG wanted her to still be able to enjoy outings, so they bought her a special carriage to go out in! You can read her whole story here .

Stop by WAG while you’re at it and read about their rescue efforts and all the greyhounds ready for a forever home.

Another favorite of Mollyd is Handmade4Hounds on Etsy. This is a wonderful group of artists who donate their creations for sale on the H4H site. 100% of the purchase goes to sighthound rescue organizations. I’m very proud of my mom (she's Brooke of ShopMollyd) for being one of those artists, but there are so many others!

One of them many of you already know because you’ve probably eaten her delicious cookies! LaineysPawtique is already famous over on Twitter for her yummy homemade treats. The pup pals all give her rave reviews! You’ll find her on H4H but you can check out all her yummies at her Etsy Shop!
There are martingale collars from Hound’s Closet.

And jewelry

And even something for your garden!

I hope you will stop by and take a look and help the hounds with a purchase.

Had to share this funny Pug with you!!

2009-08-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

Mollyd Says...

"this is why I have so many pug pals...they know that cleanliness is next to Doglyness!"

Mollyd's Mom Says: A Doxie's Story

2009-08-05T08:53:00.001-07:00

Our sweet Mollyd came into our lives one sunny spring day with a call from our friend who is the vet for our local SPCA. She knew we loved dachshunds and there was a very special one whose time was up. Of course my husband was in the car in seconds. What he saw when he got there nearly broke his heart. There was Mollyd, skin and bones and teeth so rotten you could smell it before you even got to her cage! Her saggy belly showed that she’d probably had many litters. She was crouched in the corner- I’m sure wondering what life had in store for her next. No one would adopt her because of the expense of her dental needs. My husband remembers saying to her as she sat on the counter while he filled out the paperwork, “Don’t worry, life is going to be much better from now on.”

Well, life has been very good for Mollyd since that day. The very next day, she was at our vet’s office. She had to undergo a week of antibiotics before her dental work. She ended up with only seven teeth that could be saved, but she manages just fine with those! She has claimed her position as “Queen of the House” and keeps a tight rein on the goings on of the other three doxies in our home. Marley, our daughter’s greyhound, immediately fell in love with her and thinks she’s quiet the hot doxie!

Mollyd has a very enviable outlook on life now. She is absolutely convinced that she is the most beautiful and desirable dog on the planet, and so of course wherever we go, every human and dog gravitates to her! She doesn’t put up with any shinnanigans at home or at the dog park. I’ve seen her go up to a group of big dogs at the dog park who she decided were getting too rambunctious and have them all going in different directions with their tails between their legs! She expects her meals and treats in a timely way and has her own little frolicking dance we call “the biscuit dance”. She believes that all praise is deserved not matter how inflated, all joys in life should be relished no matter how small, and that there is no problem that can’t be made better by a good, long snuggle on the couch. Not a bad philosophy, don’t you think?

Mollyd's Mom

Mollyd Says

2009-08-04T08:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome everyone to my blog! Mom will be posting some stuff too, but I just want you to know that everything has to be approved by me first! I have very high standards!
First I want to give a four paws up to my big sister Tara over at kMTgraphicdesign for designing and setting up this blog for me. Isn’t it super?! She’s the family computer geek. If you’re thinking of getting a blog or need graphic design work, she’s terrific. Check her out at www.kMTgraphicdesign.etsy.com or visit her blog- http://kmtgraphicdesign.blogspot.com
I’m going to be keeping my big ears up for lots of great information and news for all my anipals and two-legged friends, too. Look forward to advice straight from this pup’s mouth on fashion, food, and fun! Some of you already may know that Mollyd is very big on rescue (I was rescued only hours before they were going to…..gasp!) so you can find out what’s happening in the rescue world here, too.
And of course, I’ll be featuring many of my anipals who are artists, crafters and just super creative!
I hope you’ll follow me!

Doxie Hugs and Kisses
Mollyd