#FollowFriday: @Health4UandPets

Real Names: Raven, Rio and Thor
We live with a whole house full of anipals! There is Ash the cockatiel, Scrabble the parakeet, 22 box turtles, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, 2 veiled chameleons, 3 corn snakes, mali uromastyx, chickens, ducks, geese, a turkey and fishies!

Raven

Breed(s) - Rottie/Hound Dog Mix (you should hear me howl!)

Approx Age - 7 1/2

Location - Arizona

Hobbies - Eating, going for walks, keeping an eye on my neighbors and neighborhood gossip - every night I go out and tell everyone what happened that day, keeping my brothers in line because I am the Queen of the house (not mom like she thinks she is)

Favorite Foods - I have never refused any sort of food (even ants) but I prefer steak, pizza crusts and spaghetti and my favorite after dinner snack - carrots!

Bio - I was adopted from the Apache Junction Kill Shelter at 3 months old. Mom was looking at online pet rescues/shelters for a friend who wanted a dog. They had 4 doggies and had no plans on adopting. Out of all the sites, I caught her eye and as she read on the site that they only had 18 cages and each dog started at 18 and moved up to 1 and once there was no room, well, that poor dog at number one would not get to live to see another day. She told Daddy about me and they assumed I would find a home because I was so young.As she checked back over the next two weeks I kept moving up and one Friday I was Number 1 (brings a whole new meaning to that phrase, doesn’t it?). Mom was sad and still worked outside the home at that time and when daddy called her at 3:50pm she told him that I was number 1 and would not make it through the weekend. Without hesitation he said “call them and tell them we are coming for her!” Mom hung up and dialed as quick as she could and the man on the other end said they closed at 4pm.She said that they really wanted me but were almost an hour away and he said that he had secretly been pushing me back in line because I was so sweet and that he would stay til 5pm. Mom called dad and they raced to get me and arrived within minutes to spare. The Animal Control Officer said that I would not have made it through the weekend and that the person working on Sat would have put me to sleep.Mom walked in the room where I was and immediately began crying as she knew who was number 2, 3 and so on. There I laid in the back of my cage, eyes filled with tears when I looked up and saw her eyes filled with tears. I knew my forever home was here. When I walked in the door to my new home, I immediately set my goal to be the Queen - The Senior Doggie of the house. Now, at the age of 7 1/2 I am the Queen and have 2 loyal subjects I call Thor and Rio.

Likes - Being the boss, going to pawpawties and dressing up, and my hunky love Lou

Dislikes - When daddy tells me I am not the boss, he is

Biggest Fear - Not being able to walk in my pawpawty heels

Recommends you follow: @LouPeb @SylvieDog @LilyPup @FergusTheDog @Flicka47

Thor

Breed(s) - Lab/Shepherd Mix

Approx Age - 4

Location - Arizona

Hobbies - Being mama’s shadow and cuddling with mama, Pretending I’m a coyote! I have their howl down and they can’t even tell I’m not one of them.

Favorite Foods - Steak, pizza crusts and bully sticks

Bio - I was adopted from the Bisbee Animal Rescue who has a booth at a Farmers Market. One Saturday morning I was sitting at the Farmers Market when mom and dad were on their way to shop in Sierra Vista.Since the Farmers Market just opened they stopped in to get some fresh veggies.As mom came around a corner, there I sat in all my glory and she yelled to dad - Look he’s a combo of Raven, Blaze and Storm. They came over and asked about me and found out I had been in a foster home for 3 weeks and was found on the Mexico border.Yes, I am a border crosser! They had to go to Sierra Vista and since they were not looking for a dog because Storm had just passed away 6 weeks earlier, they said goodbye. The whole time they talked about me and found themselves conveniently driving back past the Farmers Market 15 min before close.Dad told mom that if he’s there, it was meant to be.Mom rushed over to the site and I wasn’t there! She asked the lady at the rescue where I was and she said I had been adopted (mom’s heart sank) but then said, wait - that was the pitbull, the guy you’re looking for is hiding under that stage. I knew it! I knew they were coming back and I was trying to stay away so someone else wouldn’t adopt me. They took me for a walk to see how I was and I wouldn’t look at them.Talk about playing hard to get, I almost played the part too well! Mom and dad still knew I was the perfect fit and adopted me.When I got home, I still was a little mad they didn’t adopt me before shopping so I sat by the gate and still wouldn’t look at them.Over the next 2 weeks I watched my sisters get love and treats and they seemed really happy so I gave in hook, line and sinker and now I can’t live without my mom!

Likes - Cuddling with mom and playing with Rio

Dislikes - Red lights and any sort of vehicle that drives by. I’m thinking this is because I was a border crosser

Biggest Fear - Going back to Mexico

Recommends you follow: @ersle @MizzBassie @MisterPeabody @BunnyJeanCook @CosmoHavanese

Rio

Breed(s) - Shepherd/Chow mix

Approx Age 4 (possibly 3 1/2)

Location - Arizona

Hobbies - Doing anything daddy does, chewing and ripping apart bones and toys, going for walks, chasing wabbits

Favorite Foods - Whatever is on the menu that night

Bio and/or Goals - I was adopted at the Douglas Animal Shelter. The shelter was attached to a vet and an animal crematorium. Mom was at the crematorium bringing in Whiskers who had passed away. As she was walking out the door, she heard this crazy barking whinning and asked the lady if she could walk through the shelter. There I was - Number 1 (not like Raven’s Puppy Number 1 - a whole new meaning again) wagging my tail, sticking my nose out of the cage and looking oh so cute and cuddly. I was a fluff ball of red hair. As mom walked down the row of dogs I kept screaming at her and she would look back and wave. She came back and said to me that I was a real cute guy and I’d find a home. I was thinking “Hey - did you look at my chart, I’ve been here a month waiting for you!” She walked out the door and I thought I’d never see her again.When she got in the truck, daddy asked where she had been and she said oh, there is this sweet guy - Puppy Number 1 who is adorable and needs a home. Of course, Daddy jumped out of the truck to come and see me.Our eyes met and I knew there was no way this guy would let me go! They took me out into the waiting area where, I peed like a firehose. I had such a bad life before that I was submissive and couldn’t stop peeing. Mom had to get a mop and bucket for the swamp I created and daddy just sat on the floor with me and my pee.Well they found out that I couldn’t be released til I was neutered.Ok, normally that would take a day but the vet at the shelter took his sweet time and it took 7 days! I had to sit there 7 days waiting for my new home.Mom and dad came every day to visit me and every day I created a swamp for them. They were told I was a year old and at that time I weighed 50lbs.Well fast forward to now, I weigh 120 lbs and no longer create swamps. It is estimated that I actually was about 5 months old and not a year old!

Likes - Watching wabbits,chasing wabbits,staring at wabbits,barking at wabbits, following dad around and beating up my brother Thor and of course my girl Lainey

Dislikes - Wabbits - they won’t come in the yard to play with me

Biggest Fear - going back to the shelter

Recommends you follow: @laineyspawtique @frugaldougal @rumblepurr @perrythebirman @MishaKidd @BabyPatches

We wish that there would be no doggies or kitties in shelters and everyone could be loved like us and so many of our furiends. We promote the message to never give up because when you’d least expect love, it will find you.

Follow Raven, Rio and Thor on twitter at @Health4UandPets.

You can also  check out their blog:  http://www.health4uandpets.typepad.com/raven_thor_rio
and Facebook Fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Raven-Thor-And-Rio/179326548823

#FollowFriday: @ShawneeShep

Real Name: Shawnee

Scared Little Shawnee at Adoption Day

#FollowFriday: @RadarDog

Real Name: Radar

Breed(s): Chihuahua/Toy Fox Terrier mix

Approx Age: 4

Location: Jackson, MS

Hobbies: Protecting the house from mailmen, annoying the cats Domino & Buffy, learning new tricks.

Favorite Foods: Bacon & green beans, bits of hot dog and cheese… ut I’m not picky.

Bio: I was found wandering the Downtown Y by the river, and was down on my luck, skin and bones, only 6 lbs even though I should have been at least 12lbs. I was taken by Animal Control, and after 2 weeks adopted by a foster family through Jackson Friends. My Mom saw my photo on Petfinder.com.

Goals: Sneaking people food, good personal hygiene, keeping the cats out of my doggie bed

Likes: Hanging out in my “spot” on the coffeehouse patio, car rides, burrowing under blankets, Twittering with my friends when I can get to the keyboard. Wearing my handknit sweaters my mom makes!

Dislikes: Hates motorcycles and thunder. Like some veggies, but not tomatoes.

Biggest Fear: I’m terrified of clickers. I can’t tell Mom why, but she can’t use them for training because of it.

A very skinny Radar, just after being rescued.

@RadarDog Recommends you follow: @ArtyTheCat @BaileyPom  @BigFatLuckyCat @BostieTweets @Burbi @CharmCityDogs @Cleominette @Dixie_Belle @dogswell @dogvocate @Doodleworld @Fergusthedog @findmydog @Flicka47 @Health4UandPets @IamSnowboots @IamZorro  @JohannTheDog @Kayhuahua @keeponwagging  @Laineyspawtique  @LilyDogg  @LucyNoble @MaverickMelberg @MisterPeabody @MoxiePaws @PetParentAuthor @Pijrt  @Poodzilla @poppy_dog @PunkieDog  @RockyTheDog @SimoneLeChat @SiriusRepublic @Snick_the_Dog @Spencer_puppy  @SpocktheDog @sullyburger @SylvieDog @Teriss @theotigsy @thewhitedog @Timmy_Dog @whydoesmycat @Wildboutbirds @Yogi_Skipperkee
<whew!>

Radar Now!

#FollowFriday: @SophieTheCocker

Real Name: Sophie

Breed: Cocker Spaniel

Approx Age: 6 yrs old

Location: Los Angeles

Hobbies: “Woofing” (some people call it barking); Dismembering My Stuffed Toys; Running Like the Wind; Savoring Every Scent that Passes my Nostrils; Tweeting

Favorite Foods: What do you got?

Bio: I was rescued from the Pasadena Humane Society after my family family surrendered me.  “Rescue Dogs Rock.” I love my forever home and I am spoiled rotten.  My goal is to chase every cat who dares to step paw in my yard.

Likes: Riding on mommy’s lap in the front seat of the car; laying on the bed with mommy and daddy; having my belly scratched.

Dislikes: The Postman; Medicine put in my ears and eyes.

Biggest Fear: An empty dish.

Recommends you follow: @SirBarley @Hakumichi_Dogs @AmiSpaniel @Barkeologist @Hanadogcute @Cocker_Spaniels @LouPeb @SuzySheltie @MiloLabradoodle @mam1cutie

Follow Sophie on twitter at @SophieTheCocker

#FollowFriday: @FergusTheDog

Real Name: Fergus

Breed(s): Not really sure. Mum says part shepherd, mostly mutt.  Everyone has an opinion on what’s in me, - husky, chow, Leonberger (my friends at Dog Den came up with that because I look like a small, short haired version).  I’m a great conversation piece.

Approx Age: 20-22 months

Location: Madison, WI

Hobbies: Running, playing with my friends at Dog Den, Anything to do with sprinklers, including Sprinkler hockey and gardening (makes more sense if you’ve seen my YouTube videos), playing with my kids, and talking to my anipals on Twitter, of course.

Favorite Foods: Spaghetti (it’s one of the few things I’ll actually do tricks for!), Pupperoni, and Arthur the cat’s dinner if I can get to it when he’s not looking!

Bio: We don’t know too much about my early puppy days. At some point, I ended up in the Mercer County Humane Society in Kentucky but they ran out of space before I found a home. Fortunately for me, a rescue organization in Cazenovia, Wisconsin, came to Kentucky and brought me and 14 other dogs back to Wisconsin to find homes, otherwise I wouldn’t be here to tell my story.  My family adopted me from the Dane County Humane Society on April 7th 2008 after I’d been there a week. The vet said I was between 8 and 10 months when I was adopted.  Mum says I was meant to be part of our family and that’s why things worked out the way they did.  In the shelter I was called Wiggles because I’m king of the full body wag but my family changed it to Fergus which I really like as it suits me.  One of the meanings of Fergus is “first choice” and another is “manly” so it seemed appropriate.

Likes: Rawhides, Sprinklers, cuddling with mum.

Dislikes: Baths, Boxers (not sure why).

Biggest Fear: I shouldn’t really admit this but I don’t like the dark.

Follow Fergus on Twitter at @FergusTheDog

@FergusTheDog recommends you follow the following dogs who twitter:

• @frugaldougal - Party planner extraordinaire and all around good pup.
• @sylviedog - Great friend and a lot of fun.
• @molliewestie - Super cute and funny.
• @cosmohavanese - Great buddy and talented DJ.
• @loupeb - Fun to have around with great tweets, even if he does steal all the girls at #pawpawty!
• @poppy_dog - caring, fun little dog who always looks out for everyone.
• @buddythepuggy - Hilarious and great at Tech Support!
• @mozartdane - Amazing artist and wonderful spokesdog.

#FollowFriday: @LouPeb

Name:
Lou & Pebbles
Twitter: @LouPeb

Breed(s)
Lou: I’m probably German shepherd/Lab/Chow/Rhodesian Ridgeback/?
Pebbles: Pekingese/Unknown
Dad says we’re heinz57.

Approx Age
Lou: I turned 7 this year.
Pebbles: Between 10 and 13

Location
Surprise, AZ

Hobbies
Lou: Chasing lizards, Chasing rabbits, Napping, Watching birds, Barking at people, Driving mom’s car (I got driver’s license!)
Pebbles: Eating, Sleeping, Getting in my way on walkies, barking at nothing, jumping at any noise.

Favorite Foods
Lou: I am a picky eater. But my all time favorite dessert is yogurt drops. Can’t live without them!
Pebbles: Likes anything meat. She loves peanut butter. Not good at chewing since she’s missing 9 teeth.

Bio, Goals
Lou: I’m from a local shelter called ‘Noah’s Ark’. I picked my mom & dad at a Petco adoption event, stepping on other pups mercilessly when I saw them. I was only 4 1/2 months then.

I refuse to eat unless mom spoonfeeds me. Yep. You heard me right. Oh I eat Little Champions without spoon but only after some tentative finger licking.  I wish I was Underdog so I can beat the poop out of those bad humans who abuse animals and save those poor animals. And I want world peace.

Pebbles: Mom read about how hard it was for senior dogs at the shelters to find a home and wanted to adopt one. One Sunday 3 years ago we went to AAWL (Arizona Animal Welfare League) and adopted Pebbles. She had Hypothyroid but otherwise very healthy.

Pebbles doesn’t think too much about anything but food and kissing mommy. All day long.

Likes
Lou: I am a mama’s boy. I need mama all the time. I like daddy too when he brings pizza or some other good smelling stuff. I like my soft squeaky toys, bellyrubs, getting brushed, car rides, going to parks and swimming.
Pebbles: Loves walkies! She goes crazy everytime mom puts the harness on her. When she’s not asleep she’s kissing mom.

Dislikes
Lou: I hate vacuum cleaner! I used to try to fight with it but now I just stay away. Not a big fan of small humans, especially when they run screaming.  I don’t like bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, UPS & FedEx guys and trucks.
Pebbles: Hates vacuum cleaner too. Anything that makes noises.

Biggest Fear
Lou: Chihuahuas
Pebbles: Animal Hospital

Recommends the Following Dogs (and cats) Who Twitter:
Lou: I recommend @BrewkieButt @OscarTheCat @LouLouPants @SadieShihtzu @SylvieDog @Fergusthedog I can go on forever…. they’re all pawsome!
Pebbles recommends @MugsyDog. Go figure. The pawpawty…

Follow Lou and Pebbles on Twitter at @LouPeb

#FollowFriday: @SylvieDog

Name: Sylvie

Breed: Treeing Walker Coonhound

Approx. Age: 11 years

Location: Morton Grove, IL (outside of Chicago)

Hobbies: Napping, tweeting, kicking @MugsyDog’s butt, treeing raccoons (in my dreams), mixing cocktails, protecting my home from mailmen & deer & off-leash dogs, eating cookies

Favorite Foods: Cookies!!!

Bio: Sylvie was adopted from Orphans of the Storm in Riverwoods when she was approximately 2 years old. She had a litter of pups before she was adopted.  She knows when someone’s going through a hard time, and gives extra leans and cuddles to help them feel better.  As much as she pretends to be tough, she’s a real softie.

Likes: Cookies, blankies, beds, shaking paws, cuddling, leaning, tummy & butt rubs

Dislikes: Baths, toenail clipping, squeaky toys, rain, medicine

Biggest Fear: Loud noises (thunder, fireworks, whistles)

Sylvie recommends the following dogs who twitter for #followfriday:

• @MugsyDog lives in my house, so mama said I had to recommend him.
• @DiggeratGadzoo works for Gadzoo.com & even though his blog appears on newspaper sites across the country, he doesn’t let the fame go to his head.
• @MozartDane makes some of the prettiest paintings I’ve seen, and it’s all for a good cause - to support animal rescue.
• @MisterPeabody was one of my first twitter pals, and he’s a very loveable, funny dog.
• @HouseofPuddles is a non-profit refuge for homeless senior basset hounds, HOP has 18 hounds in residence (including a Treeing Walker Coonhound!)
• @LaineysPawtique has some of the yummiest cookies I’ve eaten, and I’ve eaten plenty of cookies in my day.  Also, Lainey is one friendly pup.
• @Loupeb is generous with his nose kisses and always makes me giggle.  Plus he looks out for his twitter pals.
• @Fergusthedog came from a shelter just like I did. And even though he’s always getting into mischief, he’s a real sweetheart.

Follow Sylvie on twitter at @SylvieDog.

#FollowFriday: @mozartdane

Name: Mozart

Breed: Great Dane

Approx. Age: 4 1/2

Location: Harlequin Haven Great Dane Rescue, Bethel, Ohio (outside of Cincinnati)

Hobbies: Having attention lavished on me by adoring fans. I am a famous artist. I paint with my paws.

Favorite Foods: Cheese cubes and cheeseburgers.

Goals: To raise funds for the Rescue and raise awareness of the puppymill/petstore connection. Sales of my artwork help support the homeless dogs at the Rescue.

Likes: Painting, leaning on humans, and cheese cubes (I know it’s here 2x, but that’s how much I like them)

Dislikes: Cameras and camcorders. Everyone wants to see me paint but I can detect any camera and I go on strike! I also scrinch up my face and look away.

Biggest Fear: Floors. I’m a puppymill survivor and didn’t know what life was like outside a cage. I never learned to walk on a real floor until I was almost grown up.

Follow Mozart on twitter at @mozartdane and check out his website at hhdane.org/mozart. Paintings like the one above are available on the site and all proceeds benefit the Rescue dogs.

Mozart recommends the following dogs who twitter for #followfriday:

• @BrunoTheDog because he was one of my very first pals online and he
  has such a sweet personality.
• @misterpeabody because he is BIG like me–wait he’s bigger than
  me–and he’s a great and sensible pal.
• @Johannthedog because he’s very very busy with agility and his Green
  blog, and many other things (he makes me feel tired!).
• @SylvieDog because she is a coon hound, but doesn’t let that rule all
  she does and she’s a caring and supportive friend.

AND all of the above pooches support Rescue!