A Place to Bark and Meow Blog by Bernie Berlin

Monday, December 31, 2007
The New Year "2008"
Your mind can focus on fear, worry, negativity, or despair..
Or is can focus on Confidence, opportunity, solutions, optimism and success..
You decide!!
-Don Ward



HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
It is another year...
Eeek, that also means I will be another year older:)
Wrinkle, crinkles and grins!!!
Amazing how time flies..
I remember being in a catholic grade school and staring at the huge clock that hung over the door, wondering how time could go so slow.
The older I get, the faster time seems to go. So much to do and always fighting the clock.

I've learned to accept, that I do, what I can do and try not to focus on what I can't.
If you focus on the negative, it breaks your spirit and clutters your mind.
While the words written sound easy, the actual task of focusing on the moment, doing what you can without guilt, is always a challenge of growth.
Who would have thought at 42 I would still be growing up:) Or better yet, I never thought I would be 42!!!

I remember years past, New Years Eve celebrations, black tie affairs, being full of the holiday spirit so to speak, while dancing the nite away, dinners in my home with our friend and french chef Pierre who always put on a first class meal.
Our house was always full of people, with laughter and smiles all nite long...
Those are memories that will live on in my heart forever and make me smile.
While times have changed, New Years in my heart has not. My life has changed, as all of ours do...
Gone to the dogs!! Happily and joyfully!!
With every season, life is a journey, a path of growth, retrospection, a challenge to better ourselves and become comfortable in our own skin, to love deeper and live richer more spiritually fufilled lives.

The animals have taught me that and you all have taught me, that good does live in the world, that perfect strangers can become your best friends. A love for God's creatures links us together, wanting a better future for each and every animal.
I am very proud to say we have rescued over 400 animals this year!!
I never ever could have done it without your help and your kind words.
Your comments, e-mails, letters and donations have made it possible for me to make a difference for the animals.
I do grow weary & overwhelmed some days, but every comment and kind word helps to recharge me to go on..
We all do our part, each and every one of us, acts of kindness that go beyond the season, teaching your children that animals are living creatures that need us, educating them to be the responsible pet owners of the future and why they should never buy a dog from a puppy store, when there are so many that need to be rescued.
I thank each and every one of you that read my blog and have been with me on this journey, you are my Angels!!

As we go into "2008" I plan on slowing down just a bit, to rest myself and get caught up on year end things, my art auction which I have been wanting to get up and running, I'm hoping for February to have everything listed.

I will be going to CHA in February and will also be attending a seminar at the same time at the Helen Woodward Foundation

This is where my art and the animals can work hand in hand, my traveling enables me to do more, learn more and in time have my shelter built. I soooo need a shelter here on the property, but for now we'll do the best we can.
The "Zoline Foundation" which is my primary sponsor has agreed to do a matching grant for "2008" to help us with our shelter. So I'm really excited about that, more details to come..

I also have cut my teaching schedule down, to pratically nothing for the year, but need the time to work on writing my new books, magazine articles and making ornaments.
While my lifestyle traveling sounds fun, it is exhausting being on the road so much, I need to work on finding some balance this year. I will miss going to Cortona Italy to teach and Art Unraveled, but I just can't do it all..
"2009" I will plan on getting back on the road teaching, but for this year I am going to try to slow down a bit, if that is possible:)

I know many of you have also asked about Jeff. He has been very ill this past year and every day life is a struggle for him.
He is a huge help, sitting with and working with, the frightened, unsocialized animals who need one on one attention.

This little guy is "Dugan" he is a male Maltese. Poor darling is probably one of the worst matting , flea and tick infestation cases I have ever seen.
We had to sedate him to groom. It was very painful, but it's done now. He looks and feels so much better as you can tell!! Only about a year, at most 2 years old, he is love starved and will need some clothes for a bit.







These cuties are "Woody" & "Pearl". Funny Pugs!! How can you not love Pugs, they just make you smile:)
Pearl is female approximately 4-5 and Woody is male approximately 7-9 years of age. Great with kids, other animals and love everyone!!







These two beautiful purebred Border Collies are soooo sweet, but very shy and scared. They truly stole my heart..
I spent New Years Eve at the pound. The picture at the top of the page and the two below were taken at the pound.
They are going to keep these guys for me till I get back from my transport on Thursday. They came from a breeder who deemed them unworkable dogs and left them at the pound to be put to sleep. I have heard from others that his training techniques are one of a heavy hand and what many would consider abusive. I just find it sad that time after time I find his dogs at the pound, to be put to sleep because they won't work livestock. I know many a city dweller that would love a non working Border Collie. Actually I have a couple of Border Collies from this same breeder who are living in Chicago and doing very well.

This is "Jilly" she is a female, approximately 2-3 years of age.



This is "Jongo". Male approximately 2-3 years of age.



This is "CeeCzar" he is a male Hound Mix. Approximately 8-10 weeks old. Busy, smiley and lots of spunk!!



These are the three Amigas. Too funny these girls are approximately 10-12 weeks old. Pit Bull/Lab/Hound mixes.
Sweet and loving!! Don't let those stories about the bully breeds scare you. It is all in how much time you put into the dogs and the training they receive. Too precious for words.



This is "Sparrow" a female Shihtzu/Maltese Mix, the best we can figure. 6 pounds, approximately 1-3 years of age.
Alpha in personality. She loves her owners, but is very fearful of new people. Fine with cats, adult only home.



These little guys are Shepherd/chow/mixes. Fun and loving, we also have their mom. 8-10 weeks old.
Yes, I know.. Not the most flatter photo, tried to cut most of me out. But I was pretty sick, so hence the jammies and hoodie:)



There are so many more here, but I just never can find the time to post all the pictures..
I will be on the road Thursday to Chicago to transport and will be back in Tennessee on Saturday.
A stop in Wisconsin on Friday to deliver some cats to my friend Debbie and to get an over due haircut.
Also, to stop in and discuss plans with my friend Kim Nugent about her upcoming art retreat in October of "2008".
Gotta run, tons to do..

But please if you read my blog, post a comment so I can view your blogs when I get a moment.
I know many of you read from all over the world. I am amazed and wonder how you found me...
I want to try to get to know many of you that read, for I am flattered that you visit us here!!



I wish you all the BEST Life possible for "2008"!! May all your wishes and dreams come true..
Lets keep fighting for the animals and looking for the day that all adoptable animals are adopted and not needlessly put to sleep.
Love and Light to you all,
Bernie
Thursday, December 27, 2007
A Belated Christmas Entry..
I'm a great believer in luck, and I find that the harder I work, the more I have of it...
-Thomas Jefferson



Where do I start..
First off, I want to wish each and every one of you that read my blog a belated Christmas Wish..
A wish of love, happiness and joy to you and all your loved ones. That you count your blessings and cherish your moments.
May all your dreams and wishes come true..

Just a little update...
I got to Boston and all the animals were delivered to their new homes. I then got really sick. Cold, Flu, Sinus infection and now Pneumonia. I couldn't drive home and spent Christmas there. As yucky as I felt, it was truly wonderful seeing several of my animals in their new homes Christmas Eve. I have had several reports and all are doing great.
It was bitter/sweet in a way, my travels with the animals took me away from home and my loved ones this holiday season.
But I have to believe I was where I was suppose to be...
I have the best friends in the world, they took great care of me and I'll have a wonderful memory of a New England Christmas!!

Gwen & Nettie wrote me a letter, thanking me for their new home. They were quite the hit of the Christmas Eve party. Mingling with everyone and Suzi had to keep an eye on them, for everyone wanted to take them home.

Merlin & Majick are having fun following their new parents around, demanding attention and getting into all kinds of mischief.

JoVee is have a great time with her new owners, their kids and her sis Spaz.
I wonder if she has a Red Sox jacket yet:)

Scooter had a bit of an adjustment to the snow, he wouldn't go poop for 36 hours. Poor guy, being a southern dog, he would run out, see 18 inches of snow and then run back in.. He finally went:) But never once had an accident.
He now is doing his duty no problem, of course wearing his winter coat.

And Lexi is walking nature trails every morning with her new dad.
So all is truly wonderful for them and I will get to see all these guys again!!

I just got back yesterday, spent most of my day running around getting my animals from the vet clinic and checking in with our animal controls. Took in a few more today..
I will be getting ready to transport next Thursday and then I will need to rest a bit. This pneumonia is kicking my butt:(
I haven't been sick like this in years..

We have gotten some wonderful gifts and this is one of two beds donated. As you can tell they really love these Coolaroo beds!!
Thank you Cheryl!!



This is our Super Darling, Sweet "Hazel". She is going to have her last heart worm treatment this week and then will be up for adoption. Great dog, loves people, smart, housebroken and loves sleeping in bed. She is a Beagle/Cattle Dog mix.
Approximately 3 years old, about 35 pounds.



"Pong" is a Siamese male. Approximately 2-3 years old. He was mauled by a dog and the animal control officer called me to see if I could help this poor guy. We tried to save his leg, but the damage was too extensive and it had to be amputated.
He is sooooo loving and talks alot. Mister purr machine is doing well, adjusting to his surgical procedure.
It will be about 3 weeks before he is ready for adoption, but we are taking applications for him now.



This is "Pepper". She is a female Cocker Spaniel, approximately 3-4 years of age. Great dog, loving temperament!!
Loves to play ball. Fantastic with people and dogs.



"Harvey" is Pepper's pup. He is 7 weeks old and total cuteness!! I did not have his tail done, so he will have a long tail. I just can't bring myself to dock pups tails. I figure whoever adopts him will love him tail and all!!



"Yam" is just the coolest!! Male, Corgi/Beagle mix. Approximately 2 years of age. Super busy and loving!!



"Chi-Chi" is a female Chihuahua mix. She will be going to Georgia to my sweet friend Bella.



Last but not least, these darling German Shepherd pups. Ingrid is a female approximately 10 weeks old.
Smart and busy, busy, busy!!



"Hugo" is a male, German Shepherd, approximately 10 weeks old. Laid back and loving.



In the next few entries, I need to post some thank you notes, to some Amazing kids, and to those of you that made donations to "A Place To Bark" this holiday season.
The time has really gotten away from me.
We have taken in so many animals that I didn't even get to put up any decorations, no Christmas tree, presents or cards.
Sorry...
I'm not sad though, we saved many animals this season and made many people's Christmas wonderful, with new furry family members:)

More news to come, but for now I need to get some shut eye...
Much Love to you all...
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Ho-ho-ho.. Off to deliver I go..
"Every charitable act is a stepping stone toward heaven."
-Henry Ward Beecher



On the road to the East Coast to bring pets to their new owners...
I'll be on the road for 22 hours, but the big payoff is, I will be able to know how they are for the rest of their lives:)
They are all going to people I know.
I'm somewhere in Ohio, at a Red Roof Inn and heard that I will be heading into snow tomorrow.
This will be a short post, I'm pretty pooped.

I just got a google alert that there is an auction up for our furry friends..
Thank you from the bottom of my heart..
Click HERE to see it, it is beautiful!!

Off to sleep, I'll be up bright and early...
Monday, December 03, 2007
Who's New?? Mister Moo and Friends
"Hold your head high, stick your chest out. You can make it. It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes. Keep hope alive."
- Jesse Jackson



Every animal who passes thru our doors here, leaves their mark on my life...
Angels among us..
I have said it before and I will say it again, I learn so much from the animals, daily, monthly, yearly..
They have taught me to be a better person. One of forgiveness and learning to be appreciative for kindness, goodness and living in the moment.
No matter how badly these animals have been treated, neglected or abused, they have come around and shown us such great love, it is so amazing...
If you have never had a rescued dog, all it will take is one to come into your life and you will be forever changed...

Here are some of the new faces here:

"Allie" is a darling female terrier mix. Approximately 2-3 years of age about 25 pounds. She was shot thru her back leg.
The blast shattered her leg and showered pellets all over the back side of her body. I almost posted the pictures of her shaved when we first took her in, but I know many of you are very sensitive to the photos, that you don't need to see them.
You get the picture, just by me writing about it.
We will focus on the good.. She is healing and is getting around great.
Still unsure if we can save the leg, but time will tell.
She is currently being fostered by my friend Chris, who is also a vet tech. So she is getting great care:)





Our next cutie is: "Clyde" He is a male Shih Tzu, approximately 2-3 years of age. He came in in pretty sad shape.
Worms, fleas, skin infections, dirty, matted and just not feeling too good in general.
Super loving, very well behaved, good with other dogs and housebroken, he is recovered very well..
Isn't it amazing what a shower and shave does:)






This is Mister "Moo". My friend's son, named him, said he looked like a little cow:)
"Moo" is a male terrier mix. Approximately 3-5 years of age. Recovering from mange and skin infections he is doing well and should be ready for adoption in about a month. Super attentive to your every move and lovingly co-dependent, he just wants a person to call his own.
Does o.k. with other dogs, ideal situation would be an only dog home.



"Wilma" is a tiny female, Chihuahua. Approximately 3-5 years of age. She came in malnourished, with numerous scars and bite wounds, she is recovering and doing well. Shy and nervous, she is a sweet girl. Just had a dental and will be ready for adoption in a few weeks.



"Yogee" is a female Peke Mix. Approximately 10 weeks old.
Currently at my vets office, being treated, she will be available for adoption in about 3 weeks.



"JoVee" is a female Rat Terrier or Jack mix. Tiny little girl, approximately 10 weeks old. Busy, loving and doing very well with the potty training.



This is one of six Lab mix puppies we took in today, kinda looks like a Shar pei lab:)



Time to get some sleep, will post more later this week...
Saturday, December 01, 2007
The Cat's Meow..
"To Bring Anything Into Your Life, Imagine It Is Already There."
Anonymous



We live our lives in moments. Moments that pass so quickly that they are often not realized, as profound moments.
I have learned to stop every now and then and look at the moment.
Almost like a camera, focusing and keeping that image in my mind, to go back and reflect upon.
So many stories,eyes and faces are burnt into my memory...
I am always amazed by the animals that come into my life and the animals I have met along the way...
This past year I have been on the East Coast teaching quite a bit and have made some fabulous friends.
One of those friends is Marie and her wonderful family. They own a specialty art and stamp store called "The Stamp Act".
In the times I stayed with them, I met their wonderful family member "Jasper" a Persian cat. He was amazing!!!
16 years old and just the coolest cat you ever met.
His pic is at the top of this post, I took it one morning when I up earlier than the other household members.
I had some time to spend with Jasper, watching him enjoy the sunlight.
The past year had been very hard on Jasper and the family. He had been having kidney failure and passed away a few months ago. This family gave him subcutaneous fluids daily and just did everything in their power to keep their precious friend alive.
Quite the king, he would sit on the arm of the couch and meow and the whole family would come running to pet him..
These are the pet owners that make my heart smile.. Well, to get on with this story.. Marie was feeling quite lost without a pet in the home and her parents weren't quite ready, but soon agreed to adopt our little "Majick".



The following week, I was at the pound and I just couldn't believe my eyes.. There he was a Persian cat. I took him in my arms and realized he was only 5-6 months old. After getting home, I couldn't believe how much he acted like Jasper.
The family is adopting both kitties:) Funny how life works sometimes.. I had never found a Persian cat before to rescue and in addition this cat was an owner surrender. You just never know what the day will bring and how life works in such mysterious ways..
I have a funny feeling "Jasper" had something to do with this and that he is looking at us all from his big window in Heaven basking in the sunlight...





These next pictures are for my friend's mom "Susan". A huge animal lover, she had been missing her Siamese cat for many years. She contacted me, asking for me to keep my eyes open for a Siamese cat, that there was no rush, she just hoped she could rescue one. Well fate decided to send me three Siamese and a mixed breed kitten:) A change of situation for a family came my way and it was one, that the love for their pets, kept them from moving on to a better situation.
Susan called me, since I had placement for the male & the kitten, she decided to take the two females together.
All these kitties mentioned will be in their new homes for Christmas!!!
Right now many are being boarded at my vets office, since I am out of space..
My new year resolution is to work harder on the grant writing and get a shelter built next year, I really hate to turn animals away...





These are our other little ones who are up for adoption:

There three kittens are 10 weeks old and just a bundle of energy, being treated for a skin infection, they will be ready in 3 weeks for adoption..







This is "Prince" he is approximately 12 weeks old and had to have a partial tail amputation. His tail was half dead when I found him, due to a horrible infection from a wound. Doing great and ready for a new home!!



"Priscilla" is a female Himalayan mix. She is very loving, non stop purring and sweet. Approximately 3 years old. Not a fan of other cats, would do best in an only cat household.



I want to clarify that if you are interested in any of the animals posted to my blog, please send me an e-mail.
I really don't post to my pet finder much anymore, due to the fact that most of my animals go to the humane societies up north. I would much rather do private placements, but the volume of animals I take in really restricts me. I get them in, get them well and then to places where they can be readily adopted. Many worry about Humane Societies, but I assure you I have a wonderful working relationship with the ones I have chosen to work with and they will return them to me if we have an issue or help me treat them. It has been a very positive, win, win, situation!!!
I just got back last nite from my transport to Chicago, I was also in Wisconsin delivering 2 Cocker Spaniels to Rescue, then I am off to Boston the end of this week.. So it will be a busy week getting everyone here to the vet and boarding facilities before I leave.
Have a GREAT day!!

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