Beagle of the Week: Beags the beagle needs your help

This week on Beagle of the Week we're featuring a special beagle.

Beags belongs to Andrea, one of my followers from the Orlando area. He hasn't had a tough life, but he hasn't had the love he needed until Andrea got him.

But Beags needs help. Andrea has set up a Give Forward account to help her pay for Beags medical bills. He needs to go to teeth and gum specialist.

Here's what Andrea said about his situation:

"I have put a lot of my own money into his care, I have taken him to two vets and and am on my way to his third. He has had nine teeth pulled (and exposed roots) and needs long-term dental care that I am having a hard time paying for. I am a college student and while I do work.. it is sporadic and I can barely cover my own bills right now.
I honestly would love the help to get him to a specialist and maybe cover his long-term care for a few months."

I don't normally do these appeals for help, but this is a special case.

Read what Andrea has to say about Beags:

1) Where did you get Beags? 

I got Beags from a family member that could not care for him properly. He had terrible teeth, weighed 49 lbs (is currently at 32, he’s a big beagle).  The lady I got him from has had him since he was a puppy; he was passed around to people in the household, he never really belonged to anyone. My beagle/basset passed away September of 2013 and I went and picked up this mess of a beagle the next day… I knew he needed the love and attention and he has just bloomed since then. He’s happy and healthy now.

2) When did you get Beags? 

September 5th, 2013. September 5th is officially his birthday. 

 

3) What's his favorite food? 

EVERYTHING.

4) What's his favorite toy? 

Soft toys that squeak, which he can practice chewing (bad teeth=yea..) Anything he can eat, stuff that has something he can eat in it.. and loves balls.

5) Do they have any special skills (therapy dog, service dog, blog star, a lab beagle, a search dog, an agility star, show dog star, etc.)? 

He can look depressed or horribly bored, no matter what he's doing. That’s a skill, right?

6) What's the best thing about owning a beagle? 

They are the most affectionate, loyal dogs, I don’t ever think I will ever be without a beagle or basset or hound mix.

7 ) What's the worst part of owning a beagle?   
The worst part, my god he is an escape artist.. he’s going to be neutered soon so maybe that’ll help. And that ever lovely stubborn streak he seems to have. I swear he plays dumb quite well.

Please share this story with everyone you know. Please help Andrea so that Beags can have a good rest of his life. Please check out her Give Forward.com page.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Donating to SPCA

On Saturday Lulu, my friends, my Dad and I collected donations for SPCA's Meals on Wheels program.

We didn't have a great turnout this time compared to my event last October for Harbor House. But we got quite a bit of stuff!

So today Lulu and I dropped the donations we did get off to SPCA of Central Florida in Orlando. We had some very generous people come by and donate a bunch of food and treats.

SPCA has a program called Pet Food Xpress, which provides pet food for Meals on Wheels programs in Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties.

To help out, go to the SPCA of Central Florida's website.

Helping seniors live with their pets: Meals on Wheels, SPCA and more

This Saturday we're hosting Doggy Day Out Orlando! We are collecting dog and cat food for pets of people who are Meals on Wheels recipients, Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon! Please come out and help.

Here is what it's all about!

Pet Food Xpress is a program run by SPCA of Central Florida. They work in concert Meals on Wheels, Seniors First and the Osceola County on Aging.

Wendy Letchworth, who helps run the program, says it began 13 years ago.

"It was the idea of a volunteer," Letchworth said. "She noticed that many of the seniors who were receiving food through Meals on Wheels were sharing the food with their pets. The concern was that the seniors weren't getting the food and nutrition that they needed because they were concerned about feeding their pets.

"The SPCA met with MOW in the three counties we service and the Chow on Wheels (now known as Pet Food Xpress) program was born."

Volunteers deliver food around once a month to the seniors with pets in three Central Florida counties: Seminole, Orange and Osceola.

But that's not all they do.

"The volunteers drop off food and sometimes visit with their senior," Letchworth said. "Occasionally, they help transport the senior's pets to our clinic for their annual vaccinations and exam, if they can't drive or don't have a friend or family member to bring them."

How many pets do they help. Letchworth says about 260 pets are helped, belonging to 130 seniors.

So, how can you help?

Pet Food Xpress is always in need of 3 to 5 pound bags of dry cat and dog food, and also cat or dog treats. You can also donate money to help pay for the medical needs of those senior pets. And you can help by becoming an SPCA volunteer.

Not in Central Florida?

There are lots of programs all over the country that help seniors with pets. Numerous studies have shown that pets are very important in helping seniors stay healthy and active. And, as we all know, they provide lots of love and comfort.

Here are a few programs that help pets and seniors. You can contact them to find ways to help in your community.

• The Pets for the Elderly Foundation
• AAHA's Pets for Senior Citizens website
• Seniors' Pets Assistance Network (Dallas area)
• Senior Dogs 4 Seniors (St. Louis area)
• Purina Adoption Program for those 55+
• Peace of Mind Dog Rescue (California)