Best Bully News

Did you miss any of BestBullySticks.com BARK-tastic blogs this week?  If you did miss any of the Lure Coursing/Bully Breed/Crockpot Cooking/Newfie fun, catch up before Monday with all of this week's great BBS Blogs!

So snuggle up to your favorite pooch (or pooches) and read the BBS Healthy Dog Blog! Happy Weekend Reading! Click the links below to find out more about:

Dog Sports: Lure Coursing • National Pit Bull Awareness Month • Easy Crockpot Chicken & Rice Dog Food Recipe • Breed Spotlight on the Newfoundland

Also in your free time this weekend, check out our fun Pinterest Page! We've got TONS of great dog videos, adorable dog photos, funny dog photos, DIY dog project and more!

"Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made." - Roger Caras

Best Bully Sticks remembers not only the American people who were lost 11 years ago, but also the dogs. Dogs in Search & Rescue teams were sent out to find wounded or trapped victims among the wreckage of the World Trade Center buildings. We can't express enough our admiration and gratitude for all rescue workers who worked tirelessly, sometimes giving their lives, in the pursuit of rescue. The dogs that were a part of those efforts were formally recognized last year on September 11, 2011. The video below shares their story. 

Do you have a hero dog? Share you story or leave thanks to your hero dog in the comments section below. 

Yesterday was International Homeless Animal's Day, but it's an important message for every day. We want to talk to  you about this day not because Best Bully Sticks thinks you don’t care, or that you won’t remember. Being a broken record about events like International Homeless Animal’s Day is about state of mind—active change; and state of heart—compassion. This day of observance is very much like other awareness or recognition days, but the importance of the message shouldn’t be discounted or lessened with each repetition.

Pet overpopulation is a serious problem in the United States. “Serious” is a passive word by itself, so to make that more tangible: 10,000 pets are euthanized every day. Only about 20% of shelter animals are spayed or neutered. The International Society of Animal Rights began raising awareness for this particular issue in 1992 with events like candlelight vigils, adoption events, rallies and more.

Pet overpopulation and euthanization are going to be problems until enough concerned citizens get involved and raise awareness to a greater population. Here are a few ways you can get involved and start making a change.

Participate in a Candlelight Vigil
Vigils are held on different days throughout the country and are meant as quiet moments to reflect on the scores of animals who have been euthanized in the past. Check here to see if an event is being held in your area. If not, you can also participate in the virtual candlelight vigil.

Volunteer at an Animal Rescue
Many rescues are understaffed and always in need of help. It’s very likely you’ll never be turned down at a rescue as a volunteer. They’ll put you to work bathing, walking, feeding or even answering phones all for the sake of the animals in that rescue.

Foster a Shelter Pet
Fostering can be a big commitment, and isn’t right for every one. However, temporarily providing a loving home for a pet is a great way to help out not only the pet, but the shelter responsible for the pet’s care. If you already have one easy-going pet, it may be very easy for you to add one more into the mix. Talk about this option with those in your home and, of course, with your local rescue.

Call, Write & Talk
Call your senator. Write your congressman. Talk to your neighbor. Or, any combination of these! Talking about spaying and neutering animals and why that’s important is the first step in awareness. It may seem like a no-brainer, but if no one else is talking about this subject, it’s up to you to start the conversation.

Donate
We’ve already talked about donating your time as a volunteer for your local shelter, but donating pet food and supplies could relive a great burden off of your favored organization. If you have the means, talk to your local shelter to see what items they need.

Best Bully Sticks hopes you are the spark of change in your community this year to support the well-being of homeless animals in your area, in your state and the world. 

Best Bully Sticks.com is hosting a dog friendly baseball game for Flying Squirrel fans! Bark in the Park is a great way to have MORE FUNN at the Richmond Flying Squirrels Game! So, Richmond Squirrels Fans: Come out, bring your family and your dog and enjoy the game! 

Who: Best Bully Sticks.com & The Flying Squirrels

What: A Dog-Friendly Baseball Game! (Can't get much better than that!) The Squirrels will the playing the Harrisburg Senators. This event is being co-sponsored by Apple Dog Daycare, CritterTown Bathhouse,Fetch-A-Cure, Haley Buick/GMC, Helping Hands and West Coast Kix. 

When: Wednesday, August 29th, 2012 @ 7:05 pm

Where: The Diamond: 

From the North/South: I-95, traveling north or south, Exit 78 (Boulevard-161 Exit). The Diamond is two blocks south after exiting.

From the East/West: I-64, traveling east or west, will merge with I-95. Use Exit 78 (Boulevard-161 Exit) off I-95. The Diamond is two blocks south after exiting.

From Powhite Parkway: Travel Powhite Parkway to I-195 north, take the Broad Street exit and turn left onto Roseneath Road, take the second right (Moore Street) and follow it the Boulevard (161), turn left onto the Boulevard which will take you past The Diamond.

Ticketing: If you are bringing your dog, you must purchase General Admission or Diamond Club seating in sections 101 or 102!

More information about the game , tickets and pricing on the Flying Squirrels website!

In two days, on Thursday, August 9th, the world will celebrate Book Lovers Day. This day is dedicated to the joys of sitting in a quiet, comfortable chair, hammock or park bench and retreating into a good read. Best Bully Sticks knows that this can be one of the best ways to relax, broaden your world view and have an adventure with well developed characters and plot lines. We also know that many of our readers and customers are complete dog fanatics! Who else would be reading this blog right now? That being said, we want to prep you for Book Lovers Day by providing a great list of dog-centric reads for you to enjoy!

Woof!
By Lee Montgomery
Lee Montgomery brings together a collection of essays by acclaimed writers speaking about their reflections on dogs. Sometimes poignant, often hilarious, these essays are from the likes of American writers Barry Hannah, Victoria Redel and Lydia Millet.

Sophie: The Incredible True Story of the Castaway Dog
By Emma Pearse
An inspiring story of devotion and hope, Emma Pearse pieces together the story of Sophie, an Australian cattle dog, who was separated from her family and stranded on a dessert island. It seems fictional, but this true-to-life story is a heart wrenching tale of the tight bond between dogs and family.

Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love
By Larry Levin
One look at Oogy and most would have turned away, but the Levin family stuck with him. Oogy, a form of “ugly,” describes the condition of this dog’s face, however Oogy’s face quickly became a beloved one.  This NYTimes bestseller recounts the life of Oogy, a dog once used for bait, and the family that he adopted.

You Had Me at Woof: How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets of Happiness
By Julie Klam
In this story, the author, Julie, tells how her love affair with Boston Terriers changed her outlook on life and how to open her heart to people. This book recounts the great revelations that dogs bring to the humans that care for them.

Through a Dog's Eyes
By Jennifer Arnold
Jennifer Arnold, founder and executive director of Canine Assistants, shares her training methods and experiences with service dogs in her book, Through a Dog’s Eyes. Through her own battle with multiple sclerosis, she strives to understand dogs’ intelligence, sensitivity and language. Since, her goal is to share her knowledge with readers and them in how to properly train a dog.

The Dog Who Couldn't Stop Loving: How Dogs Have Captured Our Hearts for Thousands of Years
By Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson
What is so magical about man and his best friend? Why do humans bond so tightly with these four-legged creatures? These are the questions that Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson seeks to answer through scientific research, and his own observations about human-dog relationships. Read more