PICTURES: Beagles, borzois and more at the AKC dog show in Orlando

The sound inside the Orange County Convention Center was deafening this weekend. Hundreds of dogs barking in a large cavernous room will cause that.

The AKC/ Eukanuba National Championship was held this weekend in Orlando. The event is the culmination of a week of festivities, including show competitions, agility, dock diving, grooming and a showcase of dozens of breeds.   


Take a look at some of my pictures from the weekend:

At the National Beagle Club table at Meet the Breeds. Santa beagle gets photo bombed.

 

The sisters, Birdie and Fergie. Fergie won an award of merit in competition.

Here's Fergie with her ribbon.

Lulu's trainer, Adam, assists Lina, one of the national trainers for Petco with a Training Basics demo.

A young girl in the ring for the Junior Handler's Competition. She's only 9 and she's working with a great dane.

The Borzoi group held a Blessing of the Dogs ceremony Saturday. Here, Father Sergei blesses a borzoi.

Lagotto Romagnolo. I had never heard of this. It's an ancient Italian breed that now hunts truffles!

Spinone Italiani! I want one!

Everything at the poodle booth was in camo. This group wants it known poodles are not wussified French doggies. They're German hunting dogs.

This young lady is showing Berger Picards. She actually breeds them, and she's a teenager.

The borzoi cart. Every year the Borzoi clubs give people rides on this "sleigh."

I have more pictures, this is just a sampling. As always a fun event with lots to see and learn about dogs. Plan on being there next year.

Harbor House Paws for Peace Kennel: 1 year later

About a year ago we took you on a tour of a new kennel in Orange County, Florida -- a safe haven for pets of people escaping abusive relationships.


The Paws for Peace Kennel opened last year at the Harbor House of Central Florida complex.

The idea for the kennel came about eight years ago. The goal was a privately-funded facility that cared for the pets of domestic violence victims – more like a doggy day care than a shelter. 

“We had one $50,000 donation from the Orange County Animal Services trust fund but the remaining was all private,” said Carol Wick, CEO for Harbor House.

The kennel includes special kennels for dogs, cubbies for cats, dog runs, a park and a cat porch. 

 

But the first pet to enter the shelter? A guinea pig.

Since then the shelter has also cared for 44 dogs, 14 cats and a bird.

Harbor House said 49 families were able to escape their situation thanks to the kennel. Could they escape without their pets? Maybe. 

 
However, 48 percent of domestic abuse victims will hold off on leaving because they fear what will happen to their pets.
 
Many shelters do try to find some way to make accommodations, partnering with an animal shelter or rescue. But few shelters across the country have the ability to take pets in, like Harbor House does now. 

Up to 85 percent of domestic abuse victims say their partner threatened, hurt or killed a pet.

Before the opening of the shelter, which services Orange County primarily, Harbor House got one or two calls a week from people who needed a place for their pet.

The goal now is to get more shelters across the country to do. Harbor House is now working to help other shelters open a kennel like theirs.

Harbor House also continues to raise money and seek donations to keep the shelter going. In April the shelter will host the Paws for Peace Walk fundraiser. It’s being held in April to coincide with National Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.

People who want to donate can go to Harbor House FL.com

Getting a dog for Christmas: Four things to consider

'Tis the season to tell readers that while a cute puppy with a big red bow under a Christmas tree is a cute scene for a movie, reality is not so cute.

Are you stressed during the holidays? With the running around, and the messes, and the food cooking and the relatives and friends visiting? So how do you think the new dog feels? And the dog is new to the house. They need your love and patience, two things that wear thin during the holidays.

And how many end up at a shelter when they turn out to be more than people can handle? Especially if the dog's a puppy.

However, I also know that not everyone reads this blog. Or any pet blog.

So I need your help.

We know people will do what they want to do. The BEST thing to do is help them make good decisions. So here are some things people want to get a dog should consider. Please share this post with your friends and family.

1) A dog is a big-ticket item. Sure, you can get a shelter dog for $100 or less. But a dog can live 10 to 20 years. US News.com reported earlier this year that a dog can cost around $20,000 over the pet's lifetime. And that's the lower end.

Sure, you don't have to pay it out right away (though start-up costs can be pricey). But how many people drop $20,000 on an item willy nilly? (FYI: If you're that kind of person, I am single)

So what do you do with a big ticket item? Well you don't just make them. You research, you consider carefully, you discuss it with family members if you have any to discuss with. You should do the same with a dog. It should be an intimate, personal decision.

2) Avoid stores that sell puppies. This isn't even an "adopt, don't shop" thing (by the way -- ADOPT, DON'T SHOP!).  I love the Christmas season. One reason is it gives me an excuse to shop. I'm an impulse shopper, especially when I'm stressed.

So you're in a Christmasy mood, and you're trying to come up with a gift for a loved one, and you're surrounded by cute fluffy doggies. Too easy to end up walking out with a puppy. And not a puppy who is particularly healthy if they are from a puppy mill. So do yourself a favor and stay away.

3) Consider a promise instead of a puppy.

(BEST viewed on the desktop version)

We've all seen the scene from "Lady and the Tramp" when Darling opened the box and out popped baby Lady. (Digression: No holes in the box? Jim Dear is lucky Lady didn't chew her way out! Like the dog is a hat or something!)

Instead of a dog under the tree, put a stuffed puppy under the tree. Consider it a promise: you'll replace this stuffy with a real pup. Then, when everything has settled down, go to a shelter or a reputable breeder and pick out a dog.

You can start the search at websites like Adopt-a-Pet or Petfinder. This gives you time to work out the details -- like who will end up taking care of the dog.

FINALLY, A dog is not an impulse buy, and it's not a diamond necklace. A dog is another living being. It should be treated with respect. Don't just pick a dog out and give it to someone. The dog chooses his owner as much as the owner chooses the dog. Pay the dog the compliment of having that choice.

Done right, you can have a relationship like the one I have with Lulu.

Doesn't she look THRILLED with her pajamas?

Canine Companions for Independence & Rosen Centre celebrate Christmas

Tis' the season for Christmas stories, and a furry companion can make the story much more cozy.

On Sunday Canine Companions for Independence and the Rosen Centre hotel hosted a Christmas storytelling session featuring celebrity guest Emily Ellyn of "The Next Food Network Star." Keith and Wilma, two CCI pups, sat with the children and listened to the story.

Afterwards the kids got to decorate cookies.

Canine Companions for Independence trains golden retrievers and labs to help as service dogs, hearing assistance dogs, companion dogs, and dogs to help at facilities.

CCI will be back at the Rosen Centre this coming Sunday as well.

"Did you hear that, Keith? We're coming back!"

On Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. Fred Schneider of the B-52s will read "Sassafras Jones and the Search for a Forever Home," the story about a pekingese who is left at a shelter. The reading is free.

 
Afterwards, people can attend a special holiday tea that comes with a dessert buffet, a gingerbread house making contest for prizes and more. That costs $20, but proceeds benefit CCI. Fred Schneider will also sign copies of the book.

It's a great way to help service dogs, and it's also a great way to take a break from Celebrate Dogs, which is taking place next door from the Rosen Centre at Orange County Convention Center. Celebrate Dogs is part of the AKC-Eukanuba Championship.

There are other great holiday activities at Rosen Centre, including face painting, time with Santa, ice skating and more!

The storytelling spot is next to the big Christmas tree decorated in with doggy ornaments. Each ornament represents a dog that graduated from CCI training.

 
The Rosen Centre is on South International Drive in Orlando. For more information, head to their holiday events website.

Celebrate a Florida Christmas with your dog

Sometimes it's really tough to get into Christmas in Florida.

Remember in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York when Kevin's Mom tells him he can decorate a palm tree. THEY ACTUALLY DO THAT HERE!

Christmas isn't really about the cold, but if you grew up in New York (like I did) and are used to that kind of Christmas, Florida is not the same. Lulu doesn't get to play in snow. There's no need for doggy jackets, really. The flora and fauna are different.

You can do things in Florida that you can't do up north. Which is weird, but if you embrace it, it's also kind of neat.

Here's how you celebrate Christmas in Florida with your dog!

FIRST, a little fashion --

GET YOUR DOG A GUAYABERA

The guayabera is a very traditional four-pocketed shirt worn among Hispanic and Caribbean communities for hundreds of years.

Some independent designers have created ones for dogs. You can buy one off IndieShop, for instance. Then pair it with a Santa hat (because Santa hats are non-negotiable no matter how hot it is).

Of course you could also always go with a little Tommy Bahama. That works too.

GO SEE THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Residential Christmas Display in Miami.

Yeah, I know, you've got Christmas lights in up north. But I PROMISE you, it's not like we have them down here. According to the Florida Retail Federation, Floridians spent $800 million on Christmas decorations in 2012. Americans in general spend around $6 billion on decorations. Do the math.

Maybe we don't spend the most, but we spend a lot. Especially on outdoors stuff. We don't have to worry about snow. We build CRAZY Christmas displays, with large moving things, and garage displays. We decorate cars and planes and boats. Neighbors get together and coordinate their displays so You have street after street of Christmas lights.

Take a look at these neighborhood displays in the Tampa Bay area alone.

Looking for Christmas lights by you? Check out this website for locations.

BOAT PARADES

A boat at the Jingle Eve Boat Parade in Orlando.

Lots of Floridians have boats, and there's no ice to worry about. It's not uncommon to see boats all dressed up for the holidays. And in Florida you can always find a boat parade nearby during the holidays. Find a boat for you and your dog to ride in, or watch from the shores.

PLAY IN THE "SNOW"

That is "snow" on the ground in Celebration, Florida. Every year "snow" falls in the town center at Christmas. Your dog can visit, if they stay on the sidewalk.

It's not real snow. It's a foamy substance that mimics snow. Lots of places in Florida try to recreate that classic Christmas feel with fake snow. Some places do let the dogs play in it. Some of the fake snow substances are safe for dogs to be in, though they probably shouldn't eat it.

If I were you though, I would make sure the dog uses the bathroom beforehand. Snow being a rare commodity in Florida, the yellow variety is definitely frowned upon.

GO TO KEY WEST

Key West is very pet-friendly, and every year they have a big holiday fest. There's lights, historic house tours, parades, concerts and more. Bring your pet for the tours, and even get their picture taken with Santa on select nights.

GO TO THE BEACH

It's awful. It's warm enough to go to the beach. And people do it. There are surfing Santas and eveything.

Lots of beaches allow dogs (mostly leashed). One is Smyrna Dunes Beach in New Smyrna Beach. Head to the beach for the day, then check out Christmas on Canal Street in NSB. The city is very pet-friendly.

Here's just a few ideas. You can find more at The New Barker magazine, which I write for from time to time.

Before I go, here's a warning --

FIREWORKS

Yes, those big flashy, noisy things that are meant for July Fourth come out at Christmas time in Florida (New Year's too). So remember all the tips about helping your dog through the fireworks.

PLEASE SHARE: Do you have any great "Florida Christmas" ideas? Comment below.

Wordless Wednesday: Cats and dogs living together

Who remembers this classic scene from "Ghostbusters?"

I always think of this every time I see Galadriel and Lulu lounging next to each other.

That picture was from last night, but they've gotten closer in the last couple weeks.

Galadriel actually crept up to Lulu and sniffed her.

So it is possible. Take heart if there is discord among the species in your house, and also consider these 10 tips from Animal Planet.

Beagle of the Week: Buttons the beagle, Pepper at SPCA

Getting back to business! Time for our Beagle of the Week.

As always, we start by introducing you to a beagle who needs a home.

This is Pepper.

There aren't too many details on Pepper. She's a beagle at SPCA of Central Florida. Given how much white is on her face, I'd say she's not a young beagle either. SPCA said she's spayed and house trained.

If you're interested in Pepper, her Pet ID is 193656.

Pepper is at SPCA of Central Florida in Orlando. The SPCA is not a kill shelter. Adoption fee includes not only all the dog's shots, microchipping and a free vet visit, it also includes two tickets to SeaWorld Orlando.

Please consider helping Pepper find a home.

You can go to Orlando Pets.org to see Pepper and find out about the adoption process. The facility is open seven days a week near Mall at Millenia on Conroy Road. They have lots of dogs and cats.

Of course, if Pepper is not your cup of tea, consider any of the other dogs and cats at the shelter. OR go across the way to Orange County Animal Shelter, where there are many dogs and cats in danger of being euthanized.

Now time for the Beagle of the Week!

Meet Buttons McFlurry!

Buttons is from Bali, Indonesia!

Buttons is the PR officer for Joe's Gone Diving, a scuba diving center in Bali.

Jan Verbruggen is Buttons parent. Here's what Jan had to say.

1) What is your beagle's name?
Buttons Mc Flurry (also know as Buttons the Beagle from Bali) is the name of our beagle, but we call her Butty or Muppet all the time

2) When did you get them?
We got her three years ago when she was a 12-week-old puppy

3) Where did you get them?
We got her her in Bali, from a petshop.

4) What's their favorite food?
McFlurry hence her surname, no rest in the house when McFlurry arrives, we don't give it to her very often, but with the heath here.

 
5) What's their favorite toy?
She has a few toys -- wubba and a stuffed Mickey mouse same size as her, which she likes to drag around and abuse .... you can find the stuffing everywhere.

6) 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.)?
Buttons is our PR dog here in our dive center, she entertains the guest, and everyone knows her name, already before they arrive. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Buttons doesn't actually swim, Jan tells me. That's funny to me. Lulu doesn't like water either.)

7) What's the best thing about owning a beagle?
Such lovely personalities, they make you smile all day.

8) What's the worst thing about owning a beagle?
Nothing....

9) Anything you'd like to add?
Buttons has her own Facebook page (Buttons McFlurry), you can find her pictures and adventures over there, many guest become friends with her.

See other dogs who need homes in our Tuesday's Tails Blog Hop.