Canine Christmas - Better Than Rudolphs Nose

Disaster strikes. An earthquake rumbles, an avalanche roars, a building collapses, a tornado roars through a Midwestern town, a hurricane brings destruction to the Gulf Coast or eastern seaboard, a bomb reduces a federal building to rubble.

Almost before the dust settles, the dog and handler teams are there, searching for victims alive and dead.

        They follow their noses to lost and injured or deceased humans

I spent 20 minutes with this Search and Rescue Dog and her handler at the Canine Christmas Festival 2009. As I petted and talked to her, she would put her paw up and wave it at me if I stopped stroking her. Her handler told me they had been to Chilie and many other countries and to Katrina in our country. I asked how they transport to other countries. She said they use military troop transport planes and the dogs fly sitting next to their handlers.  CLICK ON EACH PICTURE FOR DETAIL VIEWS

A little girl came and wanted to pet her, the handler led her down and to the little girl. the little girl was a little nervous at first, the trainer had the dog lie down.

As you can see, the child and the dog enjoyed kisses and huggs. I enjoyed my kisses and huggs also.
With a sense of smell far more powerful than man’s and an ability to probe nooks and crannies that humans cannot penetrate, these dogs save lives and bring comfort to the families whose friends and relatives succumbed in the tragedy.


Search and rescue dogs are the hard-working heroes of disaster relief, but it’s all a game to these talented canines. Finding a victim brings a reward – a hug, a treat, a tussle with a favorite toy. The dogs live for the praise, even though it must sometimes be muted in deference to grief

As I walked away from the working dog, I found one that could work as a horse/reindeer. HA HA. Romeo is a Great Dane and what a friendly and funny dog.

See what I mean about riding him? He could also help Rudoph pull a sleigh with no problem.
Romeo was the funniest of the Santa Shots that I watched that day. He just did not FIT on her lap.

Santa Romeo was the funniest part of my day, was this owner trying to get him on her lap

As Good As It Gets....................

Canine Christmas Festival @ S.P.C.A

Yesterday I attended the annual fundraiser Canine Christmas Festival.

this canine Elf is Virginia, better known as V.....she was highly indignant when Mommy put her collar on. She is my friend Shirley's Grand Dog.

V up close and personal

This small elf is V's baby brother Cowboy. He does not know he is the baby brother.

Not all the dogs wore costumes, would you want to be the one to  put a santa suit on this little guy? Just kidding, he was so friendly and cuddly. I got enough hugs to last a long time.

The Event was held at the Bishop Animal Shelter SPCA.

Bishop Animal Shelter is a privately run non-profit animal adoption shelter founded in 1958 by two special people - Edward E. and Lillian H. Bishop. Their love and caring for animals resulted in their establishing the Bishop Animal Shelter. The land comprising almost 40 acres was formerly a citrus grove owned by the family. This little guy is a homeless Kangaroo baby.

Not everyone who attended fit the descripiton of Canine. this little goat had fun butting his head against the fence and scaring the dogs. We  are blessed to have Bishop Animal Shelter although I wish we had no need for it. The building sits on 40 lovely and shaded acres and was designed specifically for unwanted, stray and abandoned animals. Funding for the building and operation of the Shelter comes through a Foundation endowed by the Bishops. No city, county, state or federal funding is involved in its operation.

This Santa sat in the blazing sun all day, while children and pets had their pictures made for 5.00. All funds went to the SPCA.

This greyhound rescue was the hit of the party. Her name is Spot. Here in Florida, almost everywhere you go, you will find many of these wonderful dogs.

Click here for rescue site

this sweet litle elf gave me a big laugh. guess what he was smelling when I aimed the camera at him. All dogs do it. He dropped his head before I clicked.

If you have a few minutes and love/care for dogs, watch this movie on these greyhounds. They make wonderful pets and it takes them from a life of hard work.