Wordless Wednesday: Max Is Having the Best Time Ever!

This is Max. He's adoptable from The Animal Guardian Society. Check out his bio or fill out an adoption application!

This is a Blog Hop. Check out the other participating blogs as well by clicking on the picture below!

Featured Adoptable Dog: Boomer

Boomer doesn't mind the snow.

Never Lose Anything Again

Are you sometimes forgetful? You don't remember where you left your keys or wallet? We have an excellent candidate for keeping things in order for you: Boomer! Boomer believes that once you've touched something and left it in a different spot than usual, he has to make it his personal assignment to bring it back to you a.s.a.p. Just remember to close the lid on the laundry bin because with Boomer around, your clothes may never get to the washing machine!

Boomer came into TAGS care a year and a half ago from a Kentucky pound (just like Dixie, our January dog). We think that this handsome fellow had to spend his days as a guard dog before he was found him and put in the pound. Miraculously, he didn't end up having food- or toy-guarding issues; all he has is a little suspicion when meeting strangers. He will quickly overcome this feeling, though, once he realizes that you're one of the "good guys." In fact, if you know that you'll be meeting Boomer, don't even bother washing your face that morning. He will do it for you. He won't even be ashamed of cleaning your ears, nose or mouth. What can I say? He's a perfectionist!

In view of these qualities, he considers himself somewhat of a polymath who has already mastered "the boomerang skill" and cleaning skills and also has significant experience in interior design. He might change the order of the pillows on your couch so that it's more comfortable (for him to sit on, that is).

C'mon, throw it already!

Boomer's Hobbies

Boomer's energy level is medium to high, so he'll definitely appreciate a nice, tiring afternoon at the dog park, chasing the ball (remember, he's a retrieving champion). He won't put up a fight if another dog gets to the ball first but will stay alert and grab the ball the minute the other dog drops it.

Tricks

Boomer knows the basics like "sit" or "paw." He won't mind a treat here and there, either. If you adopt him, the adoption fee will include an eight-week follow-up workshop, in which you can both learn more. Once you have gained Boomer's trust, he is all about you and really just appreciates any attention you give him.

Walks

Yes, that's the spot!

He walks nicely even without the Gentle Leader. At the beginning of a walk, he might pull a little bit out of excitement, but he will quickly adapt to your pace after that. 

Friends

Boomer is quite the ladies' man! He prefers the company of female dogs but doesn't mind males, either. He used to have some issues with fellow alpha males, but ever since one of our volunteers, Nick Iordanis, started training and socializing him, his dominance issues have been quickly fading away. It all comes down to his suspicion of anyone he doesn't know. He was probably an abandoned guard dog who is, in fact, now eager to learn proper social skills to fit in.

We recommend that Boomer go into a cat- and child-free environment so that he'll be able to get your full attention—although he views older children as people who could possibly throw his ball, and anyone who can do that for him he will love forever.

Boomer is all played out!

If you think Boomer may be the dog for you, don't hesitate to fill out an adoption application form so that you can meet him at our dog park!
Click on the icon below to like Boomer on Facebook: 

Watch Boomer fetching the ball in this video:

A Microchip Session in Photos

TAGS can microchip your pet for only $30 at various Pet Valu locations. Find out more about microchipping from this blog post or visit our website for microchipping dates.

Promotional poster of one of our microchip clinics	TAGS volunteers (and Boomer) waiting for customers
TAGS bulletin board at the entrance of the clinic	Needle (still in the protective cap) attached to a plunger gun
A close-up of the needle	This cat came to get his microchip!
First, we make sure he doesn't already have a microchip.	We rub some alcohol in the area where the needle will be inserted.

Click on the video to see how fast and painlessly we insert the microchip! It takes no more than eight seconds!

Recipe Post: Kong Recipes

Do you own these dog toys and wonder what to stuff inside them? Kongs make a great training tool—from crate-training a new puppy or your newly adopted dog to keeping your dog busy when you are busy. Kongs are available at all major pet stores. Below is a list of my favourite Kong recipes, but the list of what you can stuff inside a Kong is virtually endless.

Healthy Treats for Weight-Watching Pooches

• Line the inside with a thin line of peanut butter or honey (adult dogs only). You will be surprised at how long your dog will work at this simple treat.
• Baby carrots are a super simple and quick treat. My dogs LOVE carrots—they love to crunch them up, and they come running whenever I get the bag out for myself.
• Use a thin line of peanut butter or honey and stuff in some breakfast kibble. When we first got our puppy, he ate so quickly that I would divide his breakfast into multiple Kongs, which slowed him down considerably.
• Alternatively, add dry kibble to the Kong and use a carrot or a cookie slightly larger than the opening to block the opening.
• Moisten kibble and stuff it into the Kong and freeze it for a couple of hours.

My Favourite Treats

One of my dogs' favourite treats is a combination of wet/sticky food and dry. We use one mashed banana mixed with a small container of plain, unsweetened yogurt* and a teaspoon of melted peanut butter. First, put a piece of kibble or a small cookie into the Kong to plug the hole and then fill the Kong with the banana mixture. Freeze for a couple of hours and eat! A frozen Kong can last two to three times longer than one that isn't and makes a great treat for your pooch when you head out the door in the morning. 

Our dogs love any Kong treat that starts with peanut butter—we often mix peanut butter, yogurt and pumpkin and stuff the mixture, similar to the technique above, and freeze. 

Another favourite is a bit of peanut butter followed by some kibble, then a bit more peanut butter finished off with a cookie at the end. 

As always, when feeding your dogs any human food, check to make sure that the food is safe for consumption by dogs first. Below is a list of foods that can be stuffed inside Kongs:

• Apples
• Applesauce
• Bananas
• Beef 
• Bread
• Broccoli (raw)
• Carrots
• Chicken Broth (without onion)
• Cheese
• Cheerios
• Clementines
• Dried Fruit (Bananas, apples)
• Eggs (cooked)
• Orange slices
• Honey
• Peanut butter
• Peaches
• Yogurt

*Ensure that your yogurt is plain and unsweetened since artificial sweeteners can be deadly for dogs.

Petsmart Adoptathon!

Clockwise from top left: Balin, Noelle, Rocky and Derby (the smoocher!)

It's time for another TAGS Adoptathon at Petsmart! This weekend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., come out to the Whitby Petsmart or the Oshawa Petsmart to support TAGS and (most importantly) to check out some amazing dogs.

Whitby Petsmart will be featuring Derby (noon-4, pictured above), Noelle (10-1, pictured above) and Amy (1-4) on Saturday.

Oshawa Petsmart will be featuring Bella (10-1) and Balin (1-4, pictured above)

On Sunday, Whitby Petsmart will be featuring Max (10-2) and Izzy (1-4), and Oshawa Petsmart will be featuring Noelle (10-1, pictured above) and Rocky (1-4, pictured above).

For more information on the dogs that will be featured on these days, please check out the TAGS website or Petfinder for their profiles.