This story made me cry....Good hearted people!

Little dog gone, not forgotten
By Cindy Schroeder • cschroeder@nky.com • June 8, 2009


COVINGTON - It's been almost a week since Baby's death, but the condolences still keep pouring in for the lovable little Schnauzer that tugged at a community's heart strings.


Last July, Baby joined Sandi "Stoney" Stonebraker's household when the MainStrasse business owner opened her side door to find a cardboard box with a handwritten note on top. Inside was a trembling black dog wrapped in a faded Winnie the Pooh blanket.
"I'm sorry to show up on your doorstep but my master lost our home," the note said. "Please take care of me or find someone that (will) be good to me as I'm old, 15 years, blind, hard of hearing...and no money to see a doctor...My name is Baby."
For nearly a year, Baby shared a home with Stoney and her two other strays - Joey, a geriatric poodle mix, and Kita, a frisky gray and white cat. During that time, Stoney continued her search for the elderly, gray-haired stranger who neighbors had spotted gazing into her yard on the day she found Baby.
Stoney told Baby's story in the newspaper. She posted updates on her Facebook account, and even stopped people on the street in search of the little dog's original owner. But it was to no avail.
"I always pictured Baby's owner having to go into a nursing home or leaving town to go live with his children because of his health," Stoney said. "On some level, I hope he knows that I did everything I could to make her last year wonderful. I wrapped her in my love, and she loved me back."
After Baby's story appeared in The Enquirer last August, the little Schnauzer became a celebrity of sorts.
"I'd be out walking her on the promenade, and people would drive by and roll down their windows and say, 'Is that Baby?''' Stoney recalled. "Everyone wanted to meet her."
Last week, Stoney made the final call to the vet that she'd been dreading for some time. Baby was sleeping all but one or two hours a day, coughing up stuff and "she was so thin you could feel her bones."
"Even though she was sleeping 22 or 23 hours a day, she was a regular little Energizer bunny when she was awake," Stoney said. "She still had that perky little step, and I'll never forget how she tilted her little head."
Baby was buried last Wednesday in the backyard where she would sit for hours in nice weather.
Since then, Stoney has accepted flowers, cards and numerous phone calls and e-mails offering condolences for the little dog.
Someone sent a figurine of a Scottie with a halo over his head. A woman "who didn't have a dime" sent a homemade bookmark. Friends gave Stoney a dogwood to plant near the sidewalk that Baby walked each day.
"If I could talk to Baby's owner, I would want to thank him for his special gift," Stoney said. "Baby inspired me and brought out something in me that wasn't there before. She was a special doggie that touched people's hearts."

Big Wendy the muscular whippet
Rare genetic mutation increases muscles, weight of sleek breed
Kim Westad, Times ColonistPublished: Monday, June 25, 2007
People mistake her for a pitbull with a pinhead, but Wendy the whippet is one rare breed.
So rare that the Central Saanich dog recently graced the New York Times. She also had several of her photos shown on The Today Show, all because of a rare genetic mutation that has led to her being the Incredible Hulk of dogs.
Wendy is a 27-kilogram rippling mass of muscle. Forget the so-called six-pack stomach: Wendy has a 24-pack. And the muscles around her neck are so thick, they look like a lion's ruff.
View Larger Image
Wendy the Whippet has a genetic disorder that has resulted in an exceptionally muscular appearance.
Bruce Stotesbury, Times Colonist


"People have referred to her as Arnold Schwarzenegger," says doting owner Ingrid Hansen, stroking Wendy's sleek black coat and white chest.
Wendy was recently part of a genetics study done in the U.S. on mutation in the myostatin gene in whippets, which resemble greyhounds in appearance. The National Institute of Health study reported that whippets with one single defective copy of the gene have increased muscle mass that can enhance racing performance in the breed, known for speeds up to 60 kilometres an hour.
But whippets with two mutated copies of the gene become "double-muscled," like Wendy. It has been seen before in one human, and also in mice, cattle and sheep, says the study.
The uber-muscled whippets are called "bullies," not because of their nature -- Wendy likes nothing better than a good back scratch and isn't shy about sitting in your lap to ask for one -- but because of their size. She's about twice the weight of an average whippet, but with the same height and small narrow head -- and the same size heart and lungs, which means she probably won't live as long as normal whippets.
Hansen has had Wendy, now four, since she bought the dog from a Shawnigan Lake breeder when she was eight months old.
Wendy landed in clover. She lives on an acreage, runs around with other dogs and horses, sleeps on Hansen's bed and pretty much anywhere else she wants to.
People are often afraid when the muscle-bound dog runs up to them on her dainty whippet-thin legs, but they soon realize she's friendly, Hansen said.

7 Poisonous Plants to Avoid With Dogs

In the Spring and Summer no one wants to stay indoors, especially dogs. The trees are green, the flowers are in bloom, and the air is fresh. But beware! Many toxins lurk in our very own gardens and yards that can be very hazardous to our pets health. A few common plants to keep your dogs away from are:

· Bulbs – Amarylis, Daffodil, Elephant Ear, Hyacinth, Iris, Tulip. The bulb is the poisonous part, so beware particularly with those dogs that like to dig.

· Ferns – Asparagus Fern, Emerald Feather, Lace Fern, Plumosa Fern. Many of these can be grown in a hanging pot, just make sure pieces of the plant or its berries do not fall to the floor.

· Flowering Plants – Cyclamen, Kalanchoe.

· Garden Perennials - Charming Dieffenbachia, Christmas Rose, Flamingo Plant, Foxglove, Morning Glory

· Lillies – Glory Lily. These are not only toxic to dogs, but cats as well.

· Shrubs – Cycads, Heavenly Bamboo, Holly, Shrubs are one of the deadliest garden plants.

· Trees – Avocado, Buddist Pine, Japanese Yew, Macadamia Nut, Madagascar Dragon, Schefflera.

These are just a few of the many poisonous plants that can affect our pets. Read more about toxic and non toxic plants affecting pets at the ASPCA's website or dowload a complete list of all toxic plants for dogs.

Looking for a Dog Park in Cincinnati?

Check these out:

Kellogg Park Dog Field

6701 Kellogg Ave.

Cincinnati, OH

Mt. Airy Forest Dog Park

Westwood Northern Blvd.

Cincinnati, OH

Wiggly Field Dog Park

8070 Tylersville Rd.

West Chester, OH 45069

Otto Armleder Memorial Dog Park

3960 Pennsylvania Ave.

Cincinnati, OH 45226

Deerfield Dog Park in Schappacher's Park

Old Irwin Simpson Road

Deerfield, OH 45040

Symmes Township Park

11600 Lebanon Road

Loveland, OH 45140

Please be mindful of other dogs and dog owners when attending local Dog Parks. Have your dog vaccinated first, and if your dog is aggressive in any way, don't bring him along.

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