Furry Friday…Blankets of Love

Tags

Animal shelters, Animals, Blanket Donation for Animal Shelters, furry friday, Holiday Season, Operation Blankets of Love, Spirit of Comfort

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

In the spirit of comfort let’s talk a little about the ultimate comfort creatures. Cats and dogs are masters of the snugglefest and definitely take their napping seriously…we could learn a thing or two from them.  These pictures pretty much say it all.  Now think of the thousands of shelter animals that are living in cold concrete cages with no blankets or bodies to keep them warm.  They are frightened and uncomfortable.  They don’t have the luxury of down comforters and cozy pillows, and they don’t get toys and treats to calm their worries. Animal Shelters rarely have the funding for these comforts and are in need all year round, not just when it’s cold out.  Pets bring so much joy and warmth to our homes it’s time we give back.  There have been numerous studies showing that shelter animals given blankets and comforters are more happy, relaxed, warm and have an overall increased sense of security.  This obviously increases their chances of getting adopted.

So, how do we help you ask?  Well…the first step is to collect all of those old blankets, towels, sheets, comforters and unused pet beds.  You can either contact your local shelters or do a search for organizations and local blanket drives in your area. We found one here in the Los Angeles area; Operation Blankets of Love where we will be donating.  This simple act of kindness can make such a difference this Holiday Season.  Get your families, children, friends and neighbors involved.  This would be a fun way to teach your kids about service and compassion.  We would love to hear your stories, please share!

Happy Holidays!!

Cheers, K&A

Furry Friday…Spooky!

Tags

Animals, black cats, Cats, furry friday, good fortune, Gypsy Luster, Halloween Cats

{Pinterest}

Boo!!  Well with Halloween just around the corner what could be more fitting than a Furry Friday dedicated to the beauty of the black cat?  Did you know that because of the stigma that black cats carry they are the last cats to get adopted and the first to get euthanized.  People actually believe that they are evil and bad luck!  This is obviously not true, but black cats still suffer.  We have always thought the opposite; they are definitely good luck in our book and there are a number of cultures that believe the same.  So this Halloween, if you are looking to save a life remember, black cats are known to bring good fortune.  No one likes to be judged by the color of their fur!  Hopefully you all have a spooky Halloween party planned this weekend.  Happy Halloween!!

xoxo, K&A

Furry Friday…Stars & Their Pets

Tags

Animal Sanctuary, Animals, Audrey Hepburn, Bridget Bardot, Celebrities and their pets, Cher, Elizabeth Taylor, furry friday, Greta Garbo, Ian Somerhalder, Ian Somerhalder Foundation, Marilyn Monroe

{Pinterest}

There are so many things we love about this time of year and one in particular is it’s the beginning of award season.  We are fascinated with the Hollywood celebrity just as much as the next person and love the movies!!  Here are a few great shots of some of our favorite classic stars and their pets.  Seriously, nothing makes you love a celebrity more than finding out they have a heart for animals.  We love it when stars use their celebrity to help create awareness. Actor Ian Somerhalder is a perfect example of this, he founded the Ian Somerhalder Foundation.  They are currently working on opening an animal sanctuary that creates a safe place for all the outcast animals that have been neglected, mistreated and ultimately misunderstood.  As well as bringing them together with kids and bullies into an environment where their hearts can grow and flourish.  What a great cause!!  Check out their website to learn how you can help bring this sanctuary to fruition.  Remember, if nothing else, creating awareness is a way of helping so please share, share, share!!!  Have a beautiful weekend!

Love, K&A

Furry Friday…Dog Shaming

Tags

Animals, ASPCA, Dog Shaming, Dogs, Dogster, furry friday, Gypsy Luster, Pet Adoption, Puppy Mill Awareness Month

Just thought we could all use a good laugh today…

{Dog-Shaming}

Hey, don’t judge!  We all have our little idiosyncrasies.  Right?  We just discovered this Dog Shaming blog and think it’s freaking hilarious!!  The guilty expression on all of their faces is priceless!  If you have a pet I’m sure you can relate to some of these acts of shame.  They are, at times cute little messes, but oh so worth it!!

And remember… it’s Puppy Mill Awareness Month, so please help spread the word.  Here are a few links to share… Dogster, ASPCA, Puppy Mill Awareness Facebook

Help educate, help make a difference and make adoption your first choice.  Hope you have an adventurous weekend!!

xoxo,  K&A

Furry Friday… Puppy Mills Awareness Month!

Tags

Animals, ASPCA, Cute Puppies, furry friday, Gypsy Luster, Puppy Mill Awareness Month, puppy mills

{All photos via: Pinterest & Terribly Cute}

Look at these adorable faces… now imagine rooms full of them in filthy crates, bleeding paws, infected and inflamed eyes, matted fur and itchy skin.  Imagine them barking constantly for someone to give them attention. Then there are the mothers who live only to produce and never see the light of day or the feeling of green grass under their paws.  Then, when they are too sick and unable to produce they are usually discarded and put down in a very inhumane way.  It’s not a pretty picture.  Most people don’t realize that if you purchase a puppy in a pet store or online, they most likely came from an environment just like this, a Puppy Mill.  September is Puppy Mill Awareness Month and we took the pledge with ASPCA that if a pet store sells puppies we won’t buy anything there.  Take the pledge.  Make adoption your first choice and please, know where your pets are coming from.  Together let’s help educate each other and make a difference in these lives.  TGIF!!!

xo,  K&A

Furry Friday… New Family Member

Tags

Animal Rescue, Animals, Cute Kittens, furry friday, Pet Adoption, Pet Finder, Pet Harbor

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

Happy Friday Lovelies!!  We’ve had an interesting week.  We welcomed a new family member to our home this week.  We have been talking about adopting for a while now, but weren’t expecting to find our new love this soon.  My Sisters found him while out on a run in the hills and it was love at first sight! His name is Mr. Bojangles and he has definitely danced for us with all twenty claws at full attention.  He’s a kitten, so it has been a whirl wind of playful attacks and teaching moments.  We’re in the process of teaching him how to use his ‘soft paws’ and it doesn’t come without many laughs and cries of pain! All worth it though, especially when he shows his affection by rubbing his face close to mine and purrs with pleasure…melts my heart!  It has brought us so much joy to rescue a life and bring a new kind of happiness into our home! Just a reminder… Pet Harbor and Pet Finder are great sites to find shelter pets. Save a life…it’s so worth it!

Love, K&A

Furry Friday…Love Bites

Tags

Animal Adoption, Animals, furry friday, Gypsy Luster, Love Bites, Petfinder

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

Happy Friday Lovelies!!  Just thought we would share a little love with you today.  We all have our own ways of showing love and love bites are just one of the many ways for animals.  We found another great website to help you find your perfect pet.  Petfinder is an online, searchable database of animals who need homes.  It’s also an endless resource for pet information, animal shelters and local animal events.  If you are looking for your next love, this is the perfect place to start. We want to hear all about your adoption success stories and we will share them here on Furry Friday.  So please, do share!!  We hope you all have an amazing weekend!!  Long weekend…hooray!!!!

Love, K&A

Furry Friday….We Are One

Tags

Animal Healing, Animals, furry friday, Gentle Barn, gypsy, luster, Paw to Hand, We are one with Animals

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

We are firm believers that we need animals just as much as they need us.  There is a multitude of research on this topic and millions of stories about how the therapeutic effect of animals has been known to heal.  These images speak to us about how animals can heal our hearts and our souls.  In this crazy world we live in,  it’s nice to know there are some things that are unconditionally pure and animals are just that.  We recently found a wonderful non-profit organization that brings together abused animals and children or adults suffering from different kinds of abuse, mental illness and physical challenges.  The sanctuary is called The Gentle Barn and it is a place where abused animals are rescued and rehabilitated. The goal of the Gentle Barn is to not only to save these animals but also teach children and adults who come to the sanctuary about  confidence, compassion and kindness.  It is so important to teach our kids how to nurture and care for other living creatures.  Learning to be empathetic towards animals and humans is a trait that is so greatly valued!!  When animals and humans come together, there is so much to be learned and so much to be healed!!  It is truly a beautiful and honest relationship!!  Please checkout their website and like them on Facebook!  This organization happens to be in California, but be on the lookout for other animal organizations in your area!!  Facebook is a great way to stay connected and to find and support local animal groups!!  Let us know if you have a favorite animal charity you support!!! Thanks again for reading and hope everyone enjoys their weekend!!

                                                        Love,

                                                               K&A

Furry Friday…Beauty

Tags

Animal shelters, Animals, ASPCA, Beauty of Animals, Friday, Furry, gypsy, luster, Pet Adoption, Racael Ray 100k Challenge

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

 {Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

{Via}

Happy Friday Lovelies!!!  There is so much beauty to behold in this world and what a great time we live in, where we can capture these moments.  Where would we be without the animal kingdom?  Even if you’re not an animal lover these images are bound to move you in some way.  Of course, Furry Friday wouldn’t be complete without us shamelessly plugging a cause we believe in… wink, wink!  As you know, ASPCA does amazing things to help fight animal cruelty and now they are teaming up with Rachael Ray for the $100K Challenge, which is a national competition to inspire animal shelters—and those who support them—to go above and beyond to increase pet adoption, reunite lost pets with their families and save more animals’ lives.  What does this mean for you??  Well, August 1st was the kick off, so this weekend all across the country shelter contestants are pulling out all the stops to get the party started right.  So, if you are looking to adopt now is the time to do it!!  There will be all sorts of adoption parties, special promotions and events.  You can find a full list of festivities near you at the 2012 ASPCA Rachael Ray $100K Challenge events page!  So get out there and save some lives people!!!

Thank you for reading and supporting, it really means so much to us!

                                                                  Love, K&A

Furry Friday….Headshots

Tags

Animal Portraits, Animals, ASPCA, furry friday, gypsy, luster, Morten Koldby Photography, Sharon Montrose Photography

Would you cast these cuties?  Well we are in Hollywood…even these guys need headshots!  Seriously adorable!!  Each one has such human like expression. Some seem proud, some scared and some even look like they’re trying to intimidate.  These two amazing photographers Morten Koldby and Sharon Montrose have really captured the essence of these beautiful creatures.  We can’t get over how stunning these portraits are. Sharon Montrose has a whole collection of baby animals that would be darling in a kids room.  Enjoy!

{Via}

{Via}

Speaking of adorable faces…. how can you say no to this face?  Please help ASPCA fight for the regulation of Puppy Mills.  Click on the picture below to find out how to help.  It only takes a minute to make a difference so share, tweet, pin it, donate…anything will help!   

Thanks so much for reading, your comments make our day!  Have a fun weekend!!

Love,  K&A