Brandy and Val

We are two of the most loving, caring, gentle, fun dogs around but we’re angry and we’re not going to take it anymore!  First there were the Katrina dogs (Val is a member of that group), then there were/are the foreclosure dogs and NOW?  Now there are the oil spill dogs, given away by families as a result of the Gulf Oil Spill.  What are we angry about?  Plain and simple:  we, as dogs, family pets, etc.  do not feel we are disposable items once we are adopted into a family.  Do you give away your children?  We think not.

We will provide unconditional love, friendship, companionship and “warm-fuzzies” for the rest of our/you life if you just treat us with some respect!

We know mom has mentioned this before but DO NOT ADOPT US unless you can afford to keep us and love us.  As puppies, we grow up, and for some, become less “cute.”  Consider that.  Once we hit the adult stage it does not give you permission to abandon us.  We get sick and need maintenance against fleas, ticks and the like. Therefore, we incur VET bills.  Please be sure you can handle them.  We require food.  That means FOOD bills.  Please be sure you can feed us and provide us with water.  We require nuturing and love and exercise, like your children.  Without it, we can become angry and mad and mean.  We may even misbehave.  You also must teach us how to behave in your home.  Consider that before adopting us. Think of us as infants needing to be taught.  Seriously.   Also,  spay and neuter us and help control our population.  DO NOT IGNORE us once you’ve given us shelter. That is simply not enough.

There are way too many of our family members being given away, being abused and being abandoned.  Stop the insanity.  Thank you.

NOTE:  Our mission is “to do good where good is needed.”  We help our fellow pups by donating sales from our books:  BRANDY AND VAL, BRANDY AND VAL’S FAVORITE THINGS and BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY to animal rescues and sanctuaries.  Your support is greatly appreciated.  Mini-Brandy and Mini-Val toys are also available.  We help children by participating in various pet therapy programs.

We would love to hear from you.  If you have a great cause or blog idea, contact us at:  info@BrandyandVal.com

For those of you who follow us, you are already aware that Brandy and Val works with autistic children in some of our pet therapy programs and working with special needs children is a project that is near and dear to us.   Recently, one of our staff members brought the Hiram Farms agricultural program to our attention since his brother is afflicted with the disorder and the farm is competing for much needed grant money that will help it expand its’ day program targeted at providing inspiration and meaningful work for individuals growth with Autism Spectrum Disorders.   The grant money will provide the Farm  with funding to build an activity center and farm office.

Farm work is therapeutic for people with autism.  Working with animals is calming and helps to develop skills related to respect, trust, contribution, commitment, self-confidence and responsibility.  Physical labor improves aerobic health, coordination and balance.  Since children and adults on the autism spectrum typically show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communications, social interactions and leisure or play activities, programs aimed at developing these skills enhance the lives and families of those involved as they benefit the overall community.

Speaking of community, as an added benefit, the farm’s 120 acres produces organically grown vegetables, meat and eggs for Hiram, Ohio!

PLEASE help Hiram Farms win this grant by voting on the Pepsi Refresh Everything website. The grant only goes to the top ten ideas so every vote counts. Learn more about the farm and how to vote for the grant on the Hiram Farm Facebook Page. ACT NOW!  VOTING ENDS JUNE 30!

Those of us at Brandy and Val, LLC have voted.  Brandy and Val, “Doing good where good is needed.”  Spread the word.

Sunday’s NEW YORK TIMES revealing article, THE ANTI-CRUELTY SYNDROME finally correlated what many animal rights supporters, animal lovers and the like, have believed all along:  there is a definitive link between animal abuse and other forms of violence. DUH!  There is enough convincing scientific evidence out there that now local government agencies are willing to put resources to work that  help track down these violent offenders of animals and also help rehabilitate them, too.  The article points out that animal cruelty awareness is getting its’ just due in this country and that 46 states have laws on the books making various forms of animal abuse a felony.     Perhaps this is great opportunity to revisit the implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling which overturned a federal law that made it a crime to create or sell dogfight videos and other depictions of animal cruelty.

The whole article is certainly worth reading, chock full of facts and programs that are being tested and used in communities.   As participants in pet therapy programs, we have always endorsed and mentioned organizations that use animals in helping to teach empathy and responsibility to people.   We’ve also talked about the healing and rehabilitative effects of being near or having an animal in one’s life.   In a twist of irony, the article goes on to say that those who are animal abusers benefit from prolonged exposure working with animals and that equine-therapy programs are especially good at this.  We already know that victims of abuse and emotionally withdrawn individuals benefit from the many pet therapy programs out there, too.

Whether it be the abused,  the abuser or the rest of us, it’s time to acknowledge, respect and benefit from  the power of animals.  Brandy and Val have known this all along!

Brandy and Val are my two rescue dogs that are out and about in the community working with children.  It is through their pet therapy work and the sales of their books:  BRANDY AND VAL; BRANDY AND VAL’S FAVORITE THINGS and BRANDY AND VAL’S SPECIAL STORY that the goal of “doing good where good is needed”  can be realized.  Animal sanctuaries and rescues throughout the country benefit from every purchase!

Hi everyone!  This weekend was a spectacular weather weekend for us but, we are getting older and the heat affects us more.  Please remember how important it is to keep us pups cool in the summer months.  Even though we pant and that is our coping mechanism, pooches can get heat stroke, sunburned and skin cancer.  So, please keep the following in mind:

1)  ALWAYS make sure  fresh water is available for us to drink.  Cool/cold is preferable.

2)  Provide a shady area for us.  If you want us to enjoy the great outdoors with you, make sure there is a shady spot for us to hang out in.

3)  Some us us LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to swim and lie in the water.  If there is a swimming hole nearby, let us in to enjoy.  However, if it’s a chlorinated area, please dry us off as the chlorine is bad for our coats and skin.  Think about buying us a kiddie pool to sit in if there’s no place for us to refresh.  That will work and make us happy, too.

4) Sounds obvious but  DON’T leave us in cars for prolonged periods of times and if you can, put the car in the shade.  DEFINITELY leave windows open for air to circulate.  If you think it’s too hot, don’t take us…..even if we look at you with those begging eyes!

5)  We really like our COOLING BANDANAS.  There are several brands out there but when it’s hot and we go for walks, mom or dad puts one around our necks.  They really help.

6)  Keep the A/C on and think about keeping us indoors.  If we want to go in, let us.  Keep the air on to keep us comfy.  We’ll love you even more for it (if that’s possible)

7)  Sounds corny, but, we could use some sunscreen, too!  Our noses can burn and if your pup has exposed ears, they can get sunburned.  Yes, we also can get skin cancers.  In fact, we think Val’s nose was badly burned while wandering the streets after Hurricane Katrina, so take care.

 This doesn’t apply to us, but perhaps consider shaving/trimming some hair off those pooches with long locks.  They’ll look kind of funny but they’ll stay a bit cooler.  Don’t completely shave them as their skin will be exposed and subject to burning.

WHAT TIPS CAN YOU SHARE WITH US FOR KEEPING PUPS COOL WHEN IT’S HOT?

We at Brandy and Val, LLC want to “do good where good is needed.”  Our mission is to  help animals and people and support causes we believe in through our pet therapy work and sales of our books, Brandy and Val Real Dogs with Real Tales and toys.

Do you know what to do if a scary dog approaches?  We teach this during our pet therapy sessions.  Of course, with vicious attack dogs like Brandy and Val, the kids tend to be skeptical, but, nevertheless the procedure goes like this:

STOP what you’re doing

GO SILENT

STAND LIKE A TREE

S.O.S. if that helps you to remember.   Theoretically, the intimidating pup will find you boring, lose interest in you quickly and move on to more interesting prospects.  Don’t worry, chances are you won’t be mistaken for a fire hydrant, but I guess that would be a small price to pay in exchange for a trip to the E.R.!

Our mission is “to do good where good is needed.” We aim to help animals and people and spread knowledge about causes we believe in through our work and sales of our books, Brandy and Val, Real Dogs with Real Tales.

WHAT IDEAS OR TIPS DO YOU HAVE?  SHARE WITH US…..

Since Brandy and Val participate in pet therapy programs with autistic children, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge       World Autism Awareness Day which already passed on April 2.  In the United States the entire month of April is designated as National Autism Month.   It is estimated that 35 million people worldwide are afflicted with some form or autism and it is hoped that by raising awareness of autism, the importance of early diagnosis and intervention will be encouraged and greater research funding will become available.  The jigsaw puzzle is the emblem for autism and major buildings in several cities worldwide will light up in blue in recognition of the month – including the Empire State Building in New York City, Willis Tower in Chicago, the CN Tower in Toronto, and Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia.  Airports, bridges, museums, concert halls, restaurants, and retail stores, are among more than 100 structures that will also participate, including Madison Square Garden in New York City and even NBA stores!

Most people don’t know (I certainly didn’t) that World Autism Awareness Day was formally adopted by the United Nations in 2007 and that April 2 is its’ designated day.  Autism is also only one of three diseases that have formal “days” specified by the United Nations.  The other two diseases, by the way, are diabetes and AIDS.   Autism Speaks and the Autism Society of America are the two primary U.S. based organizations responsible for disseminating education, information and news about autism, current treatments and where to get help.   It is estimated that 1 in 70 boys has autism, another fact that I did not know until recently.   In the classes I work in with Brandy, there is only 1 girl out of about 30 kids!  In addition, the NBA is teaming up with Autism Speaks this month promoting autism awareness in its NBA stores, in public service announcements and during its games.

To read more about how pet therapy assists in working with these children, please refer to our earlier blog posts: (Pet Therapy Breakthroughs, Pet Therapy Breakthroughs, contd.)  or our recent guest blog article on Imagination Soup.  Autism Speaks also has many informative videos about the subject, divided into categories:  http://www.autismspeaks.org/video/index.php

A few weeks ago we talked about some breakthrough moments we had during our sessions and wondered whether we were going to be able to repeat the process of having two, very nervous autistic children who were scared of Brandy take a walk with her.  Well, I am glad to report that INDEED, these same children were very willing to walk with my sister and had an equally good time.  One of the kids even held mom’s hand and patted it.  Awesome.  We wonder how this translates, if it does, to other aspects of their lives.  We hope it does.  Another big moment for Brandy occurred when the sole remaining child in the class who wouldn’t acknowledge her agreed to wave “hi” and “bye” and looked at her when he did this.  He even kind of agreed to maybe touch her next week.  Wouldn’t that be great.

As for me, well, I “flew solo” today.  The other dog I normally work the room with was absent so it was up to me to carry the day.  I think I did a great job working with so many children and dad keeps calling me a star, so it must be true.  We did all my favorite activities:  walking with the children; taking treats from them; being brushed by them; playing the cup game in which I get to find my treat and playing GET MINNIE where I retrieve my mini-Val toy from a basket and bring it over to the person calling my name.  It was a good day.

I think we’re ready for much deserved naps.

We had major breakthroughs at pet therapy this week that I want to share with you.  In my session with mom, two children who absolutely, positively would not communicate or show any emotion with me agreed to go on a “walk.”  Maybe it’s because they are used to me by now or maybe it was something else, but the kids walked with enthusiasm, laughed and smiled.  This made it a really good session for me.  I wonder if,  the next time we visit, they will remember this outing and go with me again for a walk.  Maybe they will pet me. One boy gave me a treat on a fork and he seemed to really like that.  I know I did, after all, who doesn’t like getting a treat?  I really hope that they understood something good was going on!

Later when we met up with Val and dad, Val told me that he did 3 roll-overs on his own without any help and the children in his group all clapped and laughed.  I know he really loves little girls, I bet when he lived in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina he had a sister but I also know he really likes it when everyone gives him good attention, too!

A big cheer to all the children who participated this week and whom we gave some happiness to.

In the February 1 edition of New York Magazine, the cover story, The Rise of Dog Identity Politics, elicited over 100 responses on their blog.  I’m not convinced this article wasn’t yet another rehashing of so many we’ve read before about how we treat our dogs as pampered pets in today’s society but its’ scope was all encompassing in terms of the myriad levels of discussions it could provoke.  Two basic categories stand out:  the obvious, or superficial ways we humanize and treat our pets and the scientific, evidential studies that substantiate the underlying reasons for our behavior.

I don’t plan to detail the answers to all the underlying questions posed by the article but, they are definitely provide “food for thought” and will make for great dinner party discussions and ice breakers with fellow dog lovers at the next cocktail party. So, in no particular order, contemplate:

• What constitutes too much pampering for your pet? (Uh, like pet pedicures maybe and cologne for pets might be a bit over the top? I’m all for nail trimming, however)
• Should we really be dressing up our dogs?  What does it really say about us and our priorities when we are willing to spend as much on our dogs’ sweaters as that of our own?  (Yes, I do believe that some breeds need coverage while going for walks in cold-weather climes, but seriously, a Burberry coat?)
• Do you really think your dog knows the difference between a generic dog biscuit from the grocery and a carob-frosted donut from the corner barkery? (No, I really doubt he or she does but, to put it bluntly,  any food product that reduces the amount of poop and gas my dogs emit rate an A+ in my book)
• Is it misguided or wrong that in her will, Leona Helmsley earmarked billions of dollars to provide for the care of dogs and that was her only specific charitable request?  Regardless of where you stand on that matter, shouldn’t her wishes be carried out?  Why is it that so few funds so far have been distributed to animal causes?
• If you are a vegetarian or vegan, should your dog follow-suit? (aren’t dogs carnivores?  has anyone done a long-term study on the long-term health effects of a vegetarian diet on these animals?)
• Should all shelters be no-kill?  How should the animal population be controlled so there are fewer strays?
• How do we educate people that pet guardianship is a serious responsibility — adoption is for life!  We don’t give away kids that are problems do we? (ok, there are exception to every rule)
• Should all states enact spay/neuter laws for all pets being adopted?  How should that be monitored (won’t everyone who doesn’t want to comply say they are keeping their pet for stud purposes)
• Were too many resources used to help rescue the pets of Hurricane Katrina at the expense of helping human residents (since so few resources in this case were Federal, who is to judge?  However, the government does have pet rescue provisions in place for future natural disasters)

I’ll assume that the author of the article, John Homans, had fact-checkers, even though many of the scientific “facts” mentioned in his article were not specifically referenced.   In any case, we know beyond the scope of this article that having pets has a positive impact on our health and well-being both psychologically as a stress-reducer and physically in the recovery from certain heart ailments and that pet therapy programs have proven to be beneficial to the recipients.   Programs abound that study the relationship between animals and humans in addition to the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society,  Companion Animal Behavior Program at UC Davis and Animal Studies program at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Given how much time, we, as humans, spend being mean and cruel to each other in this “dog eat dog” world, doesn’t it logically follow that the sky is the limit for the only creatures in our lives that love us unconditionally; the only creatures who are always there for us at the end of the day and first thing in the morning with a wagging tail and “smiling” face; and who can, in extreme circumstance, can save the day for us both figuratively and literally?

We’ve had our second pet therapy session of 2010 and Val is turning into the major star.  He has learned to roll-over for the children and everyone is so impressed.  Val continues to be very gentle and patient with the kids and his calm demeanor permeates the classroom. This, all according to dad who splits off from Brandy and me when we go to our sessions.   In addition to rolling over, Val and Jay continue to work on hand dexterity by having the kids use a fork to feed Val carrots; grooming and walking.

Brandy continues to make it known that she wishes to be the center of attention.  Since we work with two different age groups and skill levels, we do varied tasks in the two classrooms we visit.  We had a breakthrough in our first, lower skilled class today, when two of the children who wouldn’t walk with Brandy previously was willing to venture out of the room and “take her for a walk” with me.   Brandy did her part in taking the lead and the kids relaxed and concentrated on holding the leash when they realized that Brandy wasn’t threatening to them since she happily greeted everyone in her path.  Both classmates seemed to look relaxed and happy as we all ambled through the hallways!  In our older group, we had a new activity to show everyone.  Since many of the students in this class know their letters and some can read, we had flash cards with Brandy’s favorite commands (sit, stay, down, up, twirl) that the kids would have Brandy do.  They enjoyed being able to read as they worked with Brandy.  Her newest trick, twirl, was a hit and the kids enjoyed going around in a circle at the same time she did.

In order to hold everyone’s interest, we always try to have a new activity to do.   Most of the children we work with are autistic and we always keep in mind that it is important to make sure that the same themes and tasks are reinforced in each session so the kids always feel they are in a comfortable, non-threatening environment!