Those who volunteer their time in our nation’s animal shelters have my utmost admiration and gratitude. The time and love they give means so much to these animals, who otherwise would have no one. One friend, Elisa, volunteers at the Brooklyn, NY Animal Control Center, where I found Mickey, although I did not know Elisa at the time. Her passion for the dogs at the shelter prompted her to join forces with one of her friends and start a rescue for homeless dogs, with an emphasis on promoting the adoption of the pit bulls and bully breed dogs that populate our high-kill shelters. When I came across a posting stating that purchasing D & D Doggie Treats would support their rescue - Balanced Buddies Res-Q, http://www.balancedbuddiesresq.org/ - I knew I had to check it out.

First I looked at D & D’s Facebook page and found this description:
"D & D Doggie Treats was founded in the spring of 2011 in order to help an overwhelmed local shelter raise money after     they lost county and state funding. Today, D & D Doggie Treats frequents several farmers markets and outdoor events to   support local rescue. "

After speaking with the founder, I learned that D & D operates out of New Jersey and makes treats for rescues to sell as part of their fundraising efforts. D & D does not donate money. Instead it donates treats to the rescues. “It is kind of like an ongoing bake sale,” says founder and baker extraordinaire, Melissa Simone.

On the D & D Facebook page I saw photo after photo of beautiful dog treats, in so many varieties, it was nearly impossible to choose just one kind, so I ordered several – bacon pigs, salmon bunnies, pumpkin dogs and blueberry butterflies. There are special occasion and holiday treats, too. All are natural and grain-free and look even more attractive up close. Even though I don’t live in the area, Melissa was very accommodating. My order was attractively packaged and shipped to me in Connecticut.

As beautiful and healthy as the goodies are though, the real test came when Mickey and his friends got to try them. No need to worry, apparently they are even more delicious than they look. As I write this they are sitting here begging for more!

I hope you will support Elisa and Melissa in their rescue efforts by sampling some of these incredible dog treats. Not only are they great treats but they benefit an even greater cause. Mickey and his friends give them 4 paws up!!

D & D Doggie Treats can be found here on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DandDoggieTreats

For questions about ordering and pricing information, just send a message. I promise your dog will thank you!

Yesterday was the 118th running of the Boston Marathon. Last year’s race on April 15, 2013, is a day we all remember. It is one of those life-altering occurrences similar to 9/11. We remember where we were, what we were doing and how we felt when we heard about it. It forced us to confront our own mortality, conquer our fears and count our blessings. So many people continue to be affected by the events of that day and its aftermath. Whether we were in Boston or in our own homes, it was a day we will never forget.

Yesterday, on Patriots Day all eyes were on  Boston as over 35,000 participants and an estimated one million spectators (a record crowd) gathered again for the 2014 Boston Marathon. Millions more of us were there in spirit. There were new stories and new heroes. It was a celebration of life, perseverance, resolve and determination. It is amazing how a simple sporting event can galvanize an entire country and inspire us to overcome adversity. Boston Strong - a testimony to the power of the human spirit.

I would like to briefly take this opportunity to congratulate and show my admiration for all who came to Boston yesterday. You are brave, you are strong, you are resilient and you did not let a tragedy of the past prevent you from enjoying this most memorable event. Although only one runner crossed the finish line first, there were no losers or also-rans on this day. Everyone who ran or watched this event was a winner! Congratulations!

One day last week I got up in the morning, saw that it was a fairly warm, sunny spring day, grabbed Mickey’s leash and said to him, “we are going to the beach!” We live in Connecticut and it was a long and bitterly cold winter, so even though it was not a beach day for most people, it was for us.

After an hour drive, we stepped out and took a little detour through a marshy area with a pretty pedestrian bridge and walked until we reached a residential area. We saw some graceful, majestic white birds flying over the marsh, and although the spring flowers have not yet blossomed, the beauty of nature was very much apparent.

After that, we headed back and walked on the sand by the water for the length of the beach, stopping to look at and collect shells along the way. Mickey was a little hesitant of the waves at first but, considering it was all new to him, he was very brave! At the end of the sand, there was a grassy area with picnic tables. This area would be packed with beachgoers in the summer but it was unoccupied on this day, except for us. We sat down for a while and just looked out at the water, the magnificent Atlantic Ocean, before starting the slow walk back.

I could not help thinking how blessed I felt that I was able to spontaneously get up, hop in my car and enjoy a little time at the beach with my dog on a beautiful spring day.

I hope each of you will take a moment today to find beauty in some small thing that might otherwise go unappreciated. Often the simple pleasures in life are the best! Enjoy your day!!

             Tracey v. Solesky

             No. 53, September Term 2012, Opinion by Cathell, J. STRICT LIABILITY ADOPTED IN RESPECT TO ATTACKS                  ON HUMANS BY PIT BULL DOGS AND CROSS-BRED PIT BULL DOGS.

             Upon a plaintiff’s sufficient proof that a dog involved in an attack is a pit bull or a pit bull cross, and that the owner,                or other person(s) who has the right to control the pit bull’s presence on the subject premises (including a landlord                who has a right to prohibit such dogs on leased premises) knows, or has reason to know, that the dog is a pit bull                or cross-bred pit bull, that person is liable for the damages caused to a plaintiff who is attacked by the dog on or                  from the owner’s or lessor’s premises. In that case a plaintiff has established a prima facie case of negligence.                    When an attack involves pit bulls, it is no longer necessary to prove that the particular pit bull or pit bulls are                        dangerous.

This is the 2012 Maryland legislation that caused landlords to evict pit bull owners and shelters to be flooded with pit bulls, leaving them with little hope of being adopted. On Thursday, April 3, 2013, the Maryland House of Delegates passed a bill that effectively undoes this legislation. The new bill, HB 73 places the liability on dog owners, regardless of breed – as it should be. It is now awaiting the Governor’s approval to be signed into law.

Similarly, on March 5, 2014, HB 97 prohibiting breed discriminatory legislation in the state of Utah, passed and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. This two minute video demonstrates the widespread effect of this new law.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpM6Z2s_c6c

It is encouraging to see that we are making progress toward putting an end to breed discriminatory legislation in our country. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to bring about these positive changes. The effort of these individuals proves once again that together we can make a difference.

Hopefully now, other states and municipalities will take notice and move to promote responsible dog ownership and equality for all dogs regardless of breed or appearance.