June Issue of the All Wags Newsletter

Happy June All Wags puppy parents, we hope that you had a wonderful Memorial Day holiday! The June issue of the All Wags newsletter is now posted to the home page of the All Wags webpage. There are some great events listed, including a chance for our fashionista puppy mamas to do a little shopping for themselves and have it benefit a great cause! The featured adoptable dog from the Humane Society this month is Cappy and you may remember him from a few months ago because he is a repeat! Let's get our All Wags family to band behind Cappy and get this sweet boy a home. Our hope is that next month, we can report that Cappy has found his forever home!

Help get Susie's Law passed!

Your help is needed to help get Susie's Law passed! If you have not been keeping up with Susie's Law the bill was voted on by the House on Wednesday. It passed unanimously!!!!! This is huge for the animals and for others that are victims of those who abuse animals and go on to abuse human beings.

So what's next - The bill is now going to the Senate - they will vote sometime next week, probably Tuesday or Thursday. If you have not already emailed your State Senator, please do so asap. We are hoping for the same landslide vote next week. Also, please thank your NC House Representatives! If the vote passes next week, it will then be signed by Gov. Perdue and be made LAW to go into effect Dec 1, 2010!

Let them know where you stand...your voice is being heard!

Here are the easiest and fastest ways to get to your State Senator:

1- There is a form already filled out for you online that takes 2 seconds and it goes straight to the Representatives. This form is herehttp://ncvaw.org/susies-law-stricter-animal-cruelty-laws-for-nc/

2 - If you prefer to send your own, heartfelt email in your own words, you can find your representatives email here.http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/GIS/RandR07/Representation.html#byCounty  and you can find yours by zipcode.

Special Hours for Memorial Day

We know how much you puppy parents love the three-day weekends (who doesn't?!) so wanted to be sure that you all know about the special hours that we would be having on Memorial Day. Saturday and Sunday (May 29 & 30) are going to be regular hours. Saturday will be a regular daycare day and we will have the same hours for boarding pick-up and drop-off on Sunday. Monday, May 31 is where the differences come up. Monday is not a regular daycare day, we are CLOSED for daycare. The pups who are boarding will still get a full day of play just like a normal day, though. Boarding pick-up on Monday will be from 4-6pm only. If you have any questions, please, please ask one of the people when you are at All Wags or feel free to call us at 704-527-9247. We hope that you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, try not to get sunburnt from all of the fabulous outdoor activities I'm sure that many of you will be doing!

A Very Special Play Mate

Our friend, Alice, had a very special play mate at her house this weekend. Her family found a baby deer who had been abandoned by its mother and it stayed at her house this weekend. How cool is that! As you can see from the photos, the baby deer and Alice became fast friends and the deer was super friendly and loved being around the people. They couldn't keep it, though, I guess it's harder for a deer to snuggle up on the sofa than a pup as it grows, so Alice's family contacted Animal Control who put them in touch with a cool sanctuary for deer. The baby deer gets to go live on a farm and learn how to be a deer in the wild and then when they think it's ready, it will be released back in the wild to live on its own. Maybe these fast friends will cross paths again some day!

Feeling kind of melancholy and pensive...

With losing sweet Bella so freshly on our minds, we have been doing a lot of thinking about her and all of the great dogs we have lost before her. I hope this cute little story gives you as much comfort as it did to us...

An old man and his dog were walking down this dirt road with fences on both sides. They came to a gate in the fence and looked in. It was nice — grassy, woody areas, just what a 'huntin' dog and man would like, but, it had a sign saying 'no trespassing' so they walked on.

They came to a beautiful gate with a person in white robes standing there.

"Welcome to Heaven," he said. The old man was happy and started in with his dog following him.

The gatekeeper stopped him. "Dogs aren't allowed. I'm sorry but he can't come with you."

"What kind of Heaven won't allow dogs? If he can't come in, then I will stay out with him. He's been my faithful companion all his life, I can't desert him now."

"Suit yourself, but I have to warn you, the Devil's on this road and he'll try to sweet talk you into his area. He'll promise you anything, but, the dog can't go there either. If you won't leave the dog, you'll spend Eternity on this road."

So the old man and dog went on. They came to a run down fence with a gap in it, no gate, just a hole. Another old man was inside. "Excuse me, Sir, my dog and I are getting mighty tired, mind if we come in and sit in the shade for awhile?"

"Of course, there's some cold water under that tree over there. Make yourselves comfortable."

"You're sure my dog can come in? The man down the road said dogs weren't allowed anywhere."

"Would you come in if you had to leave the dog?"

"No sir, that's why I didn't go to Heaven. He said the dog couldn't come in. We'll be spending Eternity on this road, and a glass of cold water and some shade would be mighty fine right about now. But, I won't come in if my buddy here can't come too, and that's final."

The man smiled a big smile and said, "Welcome to Heaven."

"You mean this is Heaven? Dogs ARE allowed? How come that fellow down the road said they weren't?"

"That was the Devil and he gets all the people who are willing to give up a lifelong companion for a comfortable place to stay. They soon find out their mistake, but, then it's too late. The dogs come here, the fickle people stay there. GOD wouldn't allow dogs to be banned from Heaven. After all, HE created them to be man's companions in life, why would he separate them in death?"

— Author Unknown

Good Bye to a Dear Friend

We lost a dear All Wags friend, Bella Wright, to cancer yesterday. Bella started coming to All Wags in 2005 when she was 4 years old and has really grown up with the All Wags family. Bella was full of love and she showed it to everyone at All Wags every day that she came. Her mama, Jennifer, loved her so much and the feeling was so mutual you could just tell. Keenan was her very best puppy friend in the world, not only did they come to All Wags together but they lived very close to each other too, what a special relationship for two pups who loved each other. Bella will be very missed, please keep her mama and all of us at All Wags in your thoughts and prayers as we all miss this sweet girl. Give the pups in your homes some extra snuggles tonight and let them take up just a little bit too much room in the bed...

This poem puts it all into words... We know you are looking down on us, Bella...

I just wanted to let you know that I made it home.  The journey wasn’t an easy one, but it didn’t take too long.

Everything is so pretty here, so white, so fresh and new I wish that you could close your eyes and that you could see it too.  Please try not to be sad for me.  Try to understand God is taking care of me… I’m in the shelter of his hands.

Here there is no sadness, no sorrow, and no pain.  Here there is no crying and I’ll never hurt again.  Here it is so peaceful when all the angels sing.  I really have to go for now… I’ve just got to try my wings.

Hines' First Race

We just love hearing all about what our All Wags puppy friends do on the weekends with their puppy parents and friends! Our friend Hines had a really fabulous time this past weekend. He and his mama ran in his first race. They ran in the 5K race at PetPalooza and, do you know what makes that even more awesome? PetPalooza raised money for the Humane Society of Charlotte, which is where Hines was adopted from. He's giving back and helping other pups while having a great time with his mama! What a great pup!

Have you and your pup done something awesome? Email us and you too will get your very own blog!

Happy Birthday to All Wags

Can you believe that we have been in our new building for a year already? It's such a fabulously homey place for all of us that it seems like we have been here forever. May 16th will always be a very special day to us! Us pups just love all of the humongous play space that we have both inside and outside. The people all love all of the huge space they have in the office and our grooming area. Everyone is just so happy! After being in there one year, we know that you all, the puppy parents, love it so much too, especially when your smiling pup comes home tired from a day of playtime!

Love All Wags? We know you do!

Do you want to let the whole world know how much you love All Wags? Have you been out to our website? Well, there are two ways that you can. First, you can sign our Guestbook. There is a form at the bottom of the page, just fill that out and then click the button that says "Save Message." We will then be able to post your comment on the website. If you have a little more to say, you can write a Customer Testimonial. Write up all of the awesome and wonderful things you have to say about All Wags and then email it to Karen at info@allwags.com and we will put it up on the testimonial page. Be sure to include your name and your dog's name(s) in your testimonial. Thanks in advance! We love you too!

Why Dog's Don't Live Longer Than People

All of you may not know this, but in the back hallway of All Wags, we have a memory wall to honor all of our sweet All Wags puppy friends who have sadly gone to the Rainbow Bridge. We have the below story framed and hanging among the names of these pups. Take some time to just give an extra quick snuggle to your pup because unfortunately dogs don't live longer than people and this story is a really cute explanation why.

"Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year- old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.


As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm,petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life --like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to the Law."

Want to add a little "Heaven" to your life?

How about Neveah, then? I'll let her introduce herself:
My name is Heaven spelled backwards, and I sure have relied on some Angels to help me! I arrived at the Humane Society of Charlotte just skin and bones. It has taken some time, but look at me now! I am a super happy, super friendly girl to most people. I love to run and play, especially in the baby pool! I will need a strong handler who is willing to work with me on training and manners. Every day is like a gift to me...let me share it with you!
If you are interested in having Neveah come live with you, she is at the Humane Society of Charlotte and is 4 years old and a Terrier/American Pit Bull Mix. Those sweet eyes could just love you forever and surely melt your heart!

What's going on with that pipe?

Our sweet friend, Sonoma, was just baffled by this drain pipe and also quite entertained! She was watching leaves coming out of it and just couldn't figure out why the pipe was moving and stuff was coming out. She kept batting at it with her paw and really just couldn't figure it out. It was so sweet and cute to watch her! I guess at All Wags just about anything can become a toy! Everything is all about dogs!

Two 5Ks in May to Help Homeless Pups

Do you like running and walking? Do you like helping homeless pups? This month there are two great 5K races that help homeless pups here in Charlotte!
The first one is Pet Palooza on May 15th that benefits the Humane Society of Charlotte. In addition to the run and walk, there is also a great pet festival afterwards with refreshments, entertainment, and lots of great vendors. It's at Independence Park, off of Hawthorne Lane. You can sign up ahead of time at this link or you can register the morning of starting at 8:30am. Don't like running or walking? That's OK, head on out to just the festival.
The next weekend, you can run for homeless pets again. The Great Harvest Bread Co. 5K is on May 22nd and benefits Animal Care and Control. The race begins and ends at the Great Harvest Bread Company at the Shops at Piper Glen. They need runners and volunteers, so even if you aren't a runner, there is something for everyone. To register for the race, follow this link. Want to volunteer, send an email to volunteerGH5K@hotmail.com.
Such great things to do for pups this month!!

May Issue of the All Wags Newsletter

Hey Everyone! Looking for something fabulous to read while you sit by the pool on these hot days? Luck for you, the May issue of the All Wags newsletter has been posted to the All Wags website. This month and from now on we are going to have two dogs of the month, one boy and one girl. There are just so many awesome All Wags pups that we wanted to start doing more. As always, we have a wonderful recipe for you and some special savings in the newsletter-only coupon. Be sure to check out an update on sweet Maddie who was looking for her forever home and also read all about a great partnership between Anything's Pawsable dog training and All Wags. If you aren't receiving the newsletter via email, be sure to tell us the next time you come into All Wags!

Susie's Law

Did you know that in the state of North Carolina Animal Cruelty is a Class I felony? This means that any convicted animal abusers only serve a very minimal sentence. There is a group of citizens who are trying to change this and, as a pup, I think that is a great cause. Susie is a pup who was found alive in a park in Greensboro after being brutally beaten, doused in gasoline and set on fire. Though, she had a broken jaw, multiple broken teeth and 2nd & 3rd degree burns over 60% of her body, Susie survived. She is quite a miracle pup! The man who did all of these horrible things to Susie only received 5 months of probation, not a bit of jail time. In North Carolina, the burning of personal property is a Class H felony and carries an active prison sentence. So, the man who did this to her could have burned a couch and received a harsher punishment. Her new adopted mama started the Susie's law movement to change this. Do you want to help them? The best way to stay up to date with everything that they are doing is to join their Facebook Page. It's a favorite on the All Wags page, so you can find them there. If you are interested in volunteering, you can email them at Charlotte4Susie@gmail.com.  I hope we can all find a way to help!