This Independence Day weekend here in the U.S. has me thinking -- as always -- about the literally thousands of black dogs patiently waiting for homes in rescue groups and shelters across the country. Check out this interesting article written by Casie Clough in Birminghm, A.L. with wonderful, simple ways you can help draw attention to the often overelooked black dogs and help increase adoption rates:


http://www.examiner.com/x-10831-Birming ... g-syndrome



Peace to you and your "pack" ,

Heather

Calling All Black Dog Lovers! Now you can get your black dog fix daily by following us in Twitter. Just search for "Seeing Black Dogs" and add us to your watched list. We'll be barking -- I mean "tweeting" -- at you with the latest and greatest black dog information, events and updates.


Heather

Looking for some summer fun with your best friend? Join area dog lovers for a cold beer and some fun with your pooch at this week's "Beer With Your Buddy".


WHEN: Thursday, June 25th 6:00-8:30pm
WHERE: The Nomad
501 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis
PRICE: $10 per person, dogs are free!


K9-Connection brings together dog lovers in a fun, event-oriented environment that’s comfortable, casual and inviting. We know that dog lovers are a special breed, so we’ve bridged the gap between great people and their dogs, or simply dog lovers in general — with or without a dog. We celebrate the Twin Cities with its transplants, singles, friends and friends-of-friends, networking dog people and folks who feel guilty when they have fun and leave their dogs at home.


For more information contact Angie at:
angie@k9-connection.com


or go to: http://k9-connection.com/index.php?page=events

Each year, 5 million companion animals are euthanised in U.S. animal shelters. At startseeingblackdogs.com we believe that people possess the ingenuity and determination to decrease animal shelter deaths. Every day, committed groups of individuals find solutions to challenging problems in their communities. Finding an alternative to shelter deaths is no different.


Our nation is undeniably full of animal lovers. So why would we accept that we can do no better when it comes to finding a solution to animal shelter deaths? Why would we accept that 5 million annual shelter deaths are an inevitable fact of life?


Surely our desire to protect the companion animals we love so much would compel us to seek new and innovative ways to increase adoptions. Or have we as the public come to accept that we are powerless in the face of this problem?


At startseeingblackdogs.com, we believe that people have the ability to find solutions to reduce shelter killing. What the public may not realize is that there are shelters in operation right now which have successfully reduced their euthanasia rates. By using methods outlined in the No Kill Equation, a number of open admission shelters have found life saving alternatives to euthanising many of the animals in their care.


Isn’t Everyone in Favor of No Kill? Many people may be surprised to know that not everyone involved in animal welfare agrees that shelter deaths can be decreased. A quick search of the web reveals that many people actively argue that reducing shelter deaths is not achievable, or not achievable by the methods outlined by “No Kill” advocates.


We disagree. We believe that reducing shelter deaths is possible and support this effort. It occurs to us that even if an individual is skeptical that “no kill” is possible, why would anyone actively oppose any method that might reduce shelter deaths? More importantly, isn’t it more productive for no kill detractors to offer their own solutions to the shelter death problem rather than simply focusing on discrediting those proposing new ideas?


Most people would agree that 5 million annual companion animal deaths in our nation’s shelters is a tragic thing. The question is are we willing to accept the status quo, or are we open minded and determined enough to seek life saving solutions?


Not all methods for reducing euthanasia rates will be successful, but one fact is for certain: if we do nothing, 5 million companion animals will continue to die every year in our nation’s shelters. We believe this is an unacceptable outcome and one that we have the power, ingenuity and desire to change.


Our Mission at startseeingblackdogs.com:


• To help animal rescue groups and shelters increase the number of black dog adoptions by offering free marketing and PR resources.


• To continually offer new, creative, inspirational and fun ideas for promoting black dogs.


• To educate the public about Black Dog Syndrome and encourage them to choose adoption over purchasing from commercial breeding sources.


Our best to you and your dog(s),


Heather Rosenwald

Unless you've been on a media blackout (tempting, I must admit) for the last few weeks, you've probably heard the story of Ratchet, a black mixed breed puppy that was rescued from a pile of rubble by Minnesota Army Specialist Gwen Beberg. After forming an emotional attachment to Ratchet, Beberg took steps to have the dog transported to the United States to live permanently. A petition with 50,000 signatures and the help of Baghdad Pups (part of ASPCA International) greased the wheels for Ratchet to come to the U.S. He landed on Amereican soil today and is on his way to Minnesota soon.


Talk radio airwaves have been buzzing with the Ratchet story. One thing is for certain - there is a desire on the part of some service members to bring animals they’ve adopted in combat zones back to loving homes in the U.S. Although ASPCA International has arranged to transport 63 animals befriended by service members, Ratchet may have caused the biggest media stir to date. This little black dog has held his own in the news with the likes of Obama and McCain – but why?


Baghdad Pups program manager Terri Crisp has one explanation. According to Crisp although active-duty soldiers aren't allowed to adopt animals in the Middle East, hundreds of soldiers there befriend animals to help themselves cope with deployment.


I can think of another reason that Ratchet’s story caught the attention of dog lovers the world over. A vulnerable puppy in a pile of rubble is pretty defenseless. In a compassionate moment, someone stepped in to notice his life, considered it valuable and perhaps even saved it. In return, Ratchet provided her with love, peace and joy just by being the dog that he is. It's a story many of us can relate to. We wanted it to have a happy ending. Thankfully, it has.


The next time you go looking for a dog, we hope that you seek out your own “Ratchet.” We invite you to seek out the overlooked, maybe plain, frequently darker colored dogs who are vulnerable and need us to adopt them too. Their lives may actually depend on it. They will likely not be in a pile of rubble. All the same, they are just as invisible as Racthet was - unless you go looking for them.


Best wishes Ratchet and Gwen,


Heather Rosenwald