You'll Meet Me In The Light

I really don't even know what to say. Where does one begin to capture the feelings when a beloved pet passes? It is hard enough when it is one, but in the last fifteen months in our house we have lost, not one, not two, but three of our senior dogs to Rainbow Bridge. That is a lot for a heart to handle. 

In March of 2020 Pepe; our eighteen year plus old rescue Tibetan Spaniel went to the bridge. Many who read this blog already knew that, if not (see Pepe blog here). He was rescued at the age of ten plus and lived with us for eight years. He was a special dog who had many issues, and taught us so many things. Most importantly, he taught us that love can conquer almost any amount of abuse and neglect. 

Then unexpectedly in May of this year our rescue Japanese Chin Yuki went to the bridge. We knew he had some health issues and we were treating them, however his airway disease got really bad, he also had CFH, he was struggling and went downhill very quickly. So again, we had to handle a terrible loss. In Yuki's case it was really sad for us, because he did not have a good life before he came to us. He was a little over ten when we rescued him, and we were his third family (that we know of). His last people smoked and that did not help his lung issues. He lived the good life here with us and it was like he had always been here. He fit in so well immediately, and he was such a light in our home. He always did "Chin Spins", he was so happy. I loved that little dog to the moon and back. I still remember going to get him from the Bronx. He was looking out the window, I have an image burned in my brain of him leaving that life and starting fresh in the country, in a home and a yard with grass. An end to apartment and city living, and off to a place where he could enjoy his golden years. I still remember him in the carriage at Petco getting his new name tag, and he was so happy. Which is why we named him Yuki, because it means "happiness" in Japanese. Little did we know it would only last two and a half years. Anyone who has had a Japanese Chin knows they are very special little dogs, like love with legs. I will forever miss that amazing creature.

 

That brings me to the third and probably hardest loss to date, my Punkin Pie. Unlike our other dogs, Punkin Pie was not a rescue. We got her as a puppy and she lived with us her entire life. Which makes me happy that unlike so many other dogs in the world, she lived in the same house her entire life, had the same people, and never had to endure the trauma of being rehomed or in a shelter. 

 

Happy for that yes, but sad that I will not have that little face looking at me every day. She had such a personality from day one. She was the most photogenic dog I ever knew, and it was literally like she enjoyed being dressed up in silly costumes for Halloween and Christmas and any other time we felt like as she would say "exploiting her all over the inter web".

 

In fact she had so much personality that we literally had conversations with her, and as many who read the blog or follow me on Instagram or Facebook saw that personality in her Caturday videos. It all started when she was little because she was so animated that she would sit there looking at you like she understood what you were saying, and then would respond with her stomping her little paws on the ground to get what she wanted or her vocally demanding her way (which she of course always got). 

 

Most of her videos are loaded to my Facebook page or to my Instagram. I will admit I have not been good about loading to YouTube. She has a playlist on my YouTube channel, and I am slowly uploading as I have time. There are however, many older videos of her there from when she was younger, like the "Halloween Atrocity" parts, one, two and three... where she explains the horror of having her parents dress her and her fur siblings up in costumes. 

 

Looking back now, I am so glad we did this, as it is a way to get to see her face and remember the good times we had with her. (See Punkin's YouTube playlist here). I changed the title of the playlist to "Conversations With My Furkids", as her little fur sibling Lulu is going to try to carry on her legacy and continue with the videos with the wisdom imparted to her by Punkin Pie.

 

Anyone who has cared for an ailing senior pet with multiple serious medical conditions requiring literal round the clock care can tell you that when that pet is gone, there is a terrible hole. Going from every minute of every day making sure all of their needs are met, medical, physical, etc., to them "not being there" is really quite an adjustment. I am lucky as I still have two other dogs, and four cats, so the house is not totally empty. It is not the same though, and it never will be. Time will help, I suppose.

 

One thing I do know, is that there will never be a another dog like Punkin Pie. There are so many funny stories I could tell about that little character, but that would not be a blog, it would be a book. Truth be told, she really did not mind the cats at all. Except that one time when Jaxson our first cat had been here a few months... she walked into the office and one side of her face was totally puffed up. It looked like all of the sudden her face doubled in size on one side. We rushed her to the emergency vet, and lo and behold... they found a little poke hole under her fur. She had an allergic reaction to the cat poke. So apparently there is truth to what she always said, "cats have poison fingertips".

 

When she was little, she liked to eat baby carrots. We used to give them as treats until we discovered that she like to swallow everything whole... one time she was out in the yard as a little girl and she was struggling to do her business. My husband was with her and watching her, and she was looking at him like she needed help. There she is, she's trying to do her business, and a little carrot end keeps popping out, and then going back in, then out, then in, and to hear him tell it, I die laughing. Anyway, after watching her do this for some many minutes and clearly she couldn't get it out, the next time it popped out he reached down and yanked it. She ran away from it, and then looked up at him and barked as it if it were a "thank you daddy". From that moment on, she always ran away from her poops. It was really funny. For all of those years she never forgot it.

 

Then there was the time she choked on a tiny piece of an apple, and ended up in the emergency vet for two days. So many memories, and so much of our lives spent with her. It is hard to imagine we will not have her around anymore, or singing her theme song to her all the time. Each of the furkids have their own theme song, and much to Punkin's destain, yes even the cats. 

What I do know is that she is now in Heaven with Jesus, and with all of her fur siblings who went before her. She is reunited with her original pack, Pookie, Bobo, and Itty Bitty. She is also reunited with all the foster failure dogs we took in that also went before her, that she never minded sharing her momma and daddy with; Pepe, Yuki, and Gracie. She can run and play, and breathe easy, free from the terrible awful disease of Collapsing Trachea, and Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome and all of the debilitating medical hardships that come with it. She can breathe easy and rest until that one day when we will meet her in the light. 

 

Hug your furkids and cherish them while you have them, because one day God will want them back. When it is time, remember to please "Don't Shop Adopt", there are so many animals who need a second chance. Dogs, cats, puppies, kittens, nearly every breed there is. Simply visit petfinder.com and you can find practically any one of God's little creatures your heart desires. 

 

Blessings ~

Ava xo

www.avaaston.com 

 

 

Cute Overload

Halloween... the holiday where pet owners everywhere dress our pets in silly costumes. Attend pet parades and swap pics of our furkids going gaga over the cuteness. Isn't that what the holiday is all about? Well for some of us it is. So like always, I dressed my furbabies up in silly costumes again this year.

I swear if my almost eleven year old Pekingese "Punkin" could talk she would be cursing at me. Every time we put a costume on her she makes herself heavy and stiff like a little corpse. Maybe she thinks it'll keep her from having to don the costume, who knows, but the faces she makes the entire time just kill me.

Not just on Halloween, but Christmas and all throughout the year my fur babies have an entire wardrobe of outfits to keep them cute and in style. So without further ado, here is Aston furbabies "Howl-o-ween" Costume parade for 2017.

Punkin "I'm too old for this crap!"

Pepe is an NYC ACC "Urgent List" Survivor.

Lulu is also an NYC ACC Survivor.

Pookie "Is it almost over?"

For the grand finale... the group!

The cats just sit around looking at the dogs and probably thanking their lucky stars that their momma has not decided to add them to the costume parade. Although... you never know, I can think of two little black bomaby cats I know who just might start wearing silly costumes one day too.

Hope everyone has a fun time and stays safe. Happy Halloween!


Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo

www.avaaston.com

Black Cat

I am now a cat momma. There I said it. What, whoa, whatchutalkinboutwillis? Greek Girl you have five dogs... That is exactly what I was thinking when I saw a skinny, dirty little black cat sitting on my moms doormat meowing his little head off.

My animal loving heart was saying, "Scoop this little fur baby up and keep him". My inside voice was saying "Cat... um, you have not one, not two, not three, but actually five dogs who do not particularly care for cats, did you forget?"

Now I know most everyone is probably more interested in the upcoming election and the latest wikileaks document dump, and Project Veritas videos than in my little black cat rescue story. However since almost everyone is on election overload, why not take a mini brain break? I mean even Hillary said looking at Cat gifs can be therapeutic. That she is right about. That may be the only thing in my opinion, but hey that’s a blog for another day.

So back to the story of how I became a cat mom. While we were on vacation in Greece and my mom was pup sitting our five furkids a little black cat starting sleeping on her doormat. Why didn’t she just bring him inside one may wonder. Well, that is because she already has a big fat spoiled rotten cat that does not like other cats. Besides, her own two dogs, and my five who were gracing her with their presence.

Fast forward to our return from vacation. We went upstate to her house and when I saw him I just couldn’t help myself. My mom had already brought him inside briefly to give him a bath, and try to get her cat to maybe accept him, which was not happening.

So for the few days we were there, I tried my hardest to find someone who could adopt him. I must have called or texted everyone I know, and got nothing. Sadly, since there are so many stray, abandoned, neglected and abused animals out there everyone I know is already over burdened with more pets than they ever planned.

Since Halloween was looming, there was no way I was going to leave a little black cat who was very friendly out on the streets for some lunatic to do God knows what to. He would actually go up to people walking by on the street meowing and following them. He clearly wanted a person of his own.

So, the day we were leaving I was on the way back from an appointment with the Mr. I started to ask him what we were going to do about the cat, knowing I didn’t really feel right about leaving him outside. Before I could even finish my sentence he blurts out “I think we should just keep him”. After I picked my jaw back up from the floor, I said “Really?” and he said “yup”.

So we made a pit stop to go buy kitty supplies. Carry bag, toys, food, etc. We got all the necessities. I let the Mr. name him, since it was his idea after all, his name is "Jaxson".  Then we made the three-hour drive home with five dogs in the car and one little black cat at my feet in his brand new carrier.

Since then I have learned the skill of wrangling animals. I keep the dogs in one area of the house locked into a few rooms, and the cat gets the run of the joint. Or, the dogs are out with run of the house and the cat is safe in his room along with his kitty dream house in front of the window, and about a bazillion toys.

I have learned all the things about being a kitty momma that I never knew before. Such as, if he eats too much too fast (which he likes to do since he was a stray) he will vomit and that can lead to an expensive vet trip, eh hem. Along with not to leave any kind of toys that have little strings out as they can cause a blockage due to cats tongues grabbing onto.

I have learned that kitties think they are ninjas, and that he pretty much can scale a small building in a single bound. The best thing I have learned though is that there is no greater feeling than to save the life of a helpless animal. Yes it may be a lot of work; yes you may spend money you did not plan to spend. At the end of the day though, when they are all curled up in your lap and they look up at you with that gaze that almost seems to say “thank you for saving me”, it makes it all worth it.

Can't forget to share the doggies in their Halloween Costumes...

October is “Adopt a Shelter Dog Month". Dog or cat, it’s always a good time to save a life and bring a little happiness to your life. Hey it’s good for your health too. Having a pet can lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol; bring companionship, and so much more. So what are you waiting for? Make everyday a happy day, don't shop adopt... your life will never be the same.

Blessings, Love & Music,
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Give a Little Bit

"It's time to "Do Something".

    

My name is Ava Aston and I love animals. I know put on your surprise face, no shocking information here considering my furkids are plastered all over the internet. Most people know me as an Independent Recording Artist and yes my first love is music, my second is animals. I have five dogs (three of which are rescues) and to be honest if I were not careful I could possibly end up on an episode of hoarders. Only in my episode the animals would be living in the lap of luxury. The only hard thing they would have to endure would be which orthopedic doggie bed to sleep on, or which organic food they want for the day. Who doesn't love animals? I mean really... can we even trust people who don't?

So last spring I started a little something to help bring awareness to the epidemic of animal neglect and cruelty. To shine the spotlight on the heroes who work day in and day out in animal rescue, also as a way to help encourage people to get involved. Not everyone can rescue, adopt, or foster an animal, but everyone can give. A midweek reminder to think about those on the front lines giving second chances to animals whom without their efforts would suffer and often not make it. Donating on a regular basis even as little as $5.00 can make a huge impact. So "Waggin Tail Wednesday" was born #WagginTailWednesday or #WTW.

There are so many amazing rescue organizations utilizing Social Media, Facebook in particular to help save animals. Neglected, dumped, abused and just when I think I have seen the worst thing I can possibly imagine, another horrific case pops up.

So I post one rescue, news story or video every Wednesday. The idea is for people to visit their pages, websites, give, and share. Animals are Gods creatures, are innocent and do not deserve to be tortured. They are not cupcakes to be sold for profits, should not be bred in puppy mills, sold in stores and most certainly do not belong in ads given away for free or sold on craigslist.

Animal abuse and neglect is an epidemic in this country that many turn a blind eye to. People think they can't help, afford to help, don't have time, etc. Sharing a link of a dog up for adoption is free, pledging $1 or $5 I'm pretty sure will not cause anyone to go hungry. When large numbers of people take a minute out of their day to "Do Something" it can and has literally saved and completely changed the lives of animals who have suffered beyond your worst nightmare. All it takes is for one to care and act.

Think I'm exaggerating? Google "Puppy Doe" or read about it here Unfortunately things like this happen every day. I believe that most people are inherently good, loving and would not do such evil things, but there is also an epidemic of ignorance that at times blows my mind. Having an animal is a lifetime commitment, not a toy to give away when one grows tired of it or it gets a little "inconvenient". Having a baby or moving is not a reason to dump a pet, sorry but it's just not! Rescues and kill shelters all over the country are bursting at the seams to the point where thousands of innocent creatures are killed every day simply because there is no one to adopt them, and the shelter is out of room.

It has to stop and the only way it will ever stop is if enough people "Do Something". Puppy mills, and selling dogs in pet stores has to end!

I'm not for more laws but to stop the viscious cycle it needs to be done. A simple solution is: In order to be a "Breeder" one must be "Licensed". In order to be licensed, one must pass a test (similar to a Dr., Real Estate Agent or any other licensed professional) and pay a high yearly fee. This will keep out the "backyard or kitchen" breeders who are selling to their friends or on craigslist. In order to breed one needs to know the history, potential medical issues being passed on, do the proper testing i.e.: (OFA X-rays for hips) etc. Pet stores should not be allowed to sell dogs or cats. An alternative would be a station to see animals from local shelters or rescues. It would stop "impulse" buying and all together these types of changes could help stop the problem. However the whole cycle is a money making machine so there are people who do not want it to stop or care about the innocent animals hurt in the process. Puppy mills, dog fighting, neglect, abuse, it's all happeneing everyday right under our noses. If people would be on alert, and start to call attention to cases when they see them we can save more lives. Call lawmakers, it all starts with "doing something".

A rescue I give to on a regular basis is Animal Rescue Corps. Check out this video about what they encounter on a regular basis Watch Here.

Something that has always made me smile is the word DOG spelled backwards is GOD. Just like him all they want is our love... think about it. It's in the bible, he gave us charge over the animals to care for, and the lion will lie down with the lamb. You can tell a lot about a person by how they treat animals. So don't forget to tune in every Wednesday on Facebook, and be on alert for ways in which you can make a difference in the lives of animals. Have a beautiful day!

Blessings, Love & Music
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

No Excuse

I've blogged about animals on many occasions, and well what can I say? I love furkids, deal with it. Besides it's been said ones true character is revealed in how they treat animals. So you know what that means... yes that means Greek Girl is a Good Person ;o)

Seriously though besides having four furkids of my own (used to be five until our ten and a half year old Maltese "Itty Bitty" passed unexpecedly of congestive heart failure back in September of last year) I am involved with rescue. Sometimes fostering, and often do home visits for potential adopters for a few different rescue groups. A home visit is necessary to make sure the animal does not end up back in a dangerous situation. Because as you might have guessed not everyone out there is what they appear to be. Or for whatever reason their wires get crossed in their noggins and decide it would be OK to dump their pet in a shelter. So home visits are necessary and vital to make sure rescued furkids truly do go into forever homes.

After all the things I have seen in rescue nothing really surprises me. However, I was particularly upset this past week when I saw a story in the news about an outrageously horrific situation involving craigslist. I would hope that most people understand why it's never OK to put an ad on craigslist for an animal, especially for Free. It's sad but stories like the one I'm about to share happen often these days. The following link is about a story of a man who was recently arrested for having been found in a motel room with multiple animals he had dismembered. Animals he had obtained from craigslist.
Don't believe me... here ya go:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/16/jason-brown-adopted-dogs-dismember-motel_n_5592267.html

I know life can be chaotic, especially in the times we are living. The economy is rough and people have life changes, I get it. However I'm not sure why when some people start to cut back they jump to something as severe as dumping a family pet in a kill shelter. There are always options, there is always a way, it's just a matter of if someone is willing to make the effort to make adjustments that will allow them to keep their pet. Some people just don't want to be bothered.

We have an epidemic of puppy mills producing millions of puppies that are shipped to pet stores. Backyard or kitchen breeding dogs to make an extra few bucks. Then add to that the ones who refuse to spay and neuter either for financial reasons, or even worse they don't want to make their pet an "it", are just a few of the absurd justifications I have heard. When you add it all up it equates to five to seven million animals and growing being euthanized in shelters across the country every single year. The only way this is ever going to change is to change the law. Make Puppy Mills illegal, and not allow backyard breeding. Have mandatory spay/neuter and for anyone who is interested in betterment of the breed and who wants to breed, make them have to be licensed. The license would be a very hard test like a Dr. and include a high yearly fee which would keep the backyard breeders out. Believe me I'm for LESS Government control not more. The government wants to control almost every aspect of our lives i.e.: health care, cap and trade to regulate how much energy we consume, food, medicine, etc. Yet they allow the rampant torture of Gods creatures in Puppy Mills. It boggles my mind, that however is a blog for another day.

My point here more than anything is why is it that at the first sign of trouble or inconvenience, people's first instinct is to throw up their hands and "dump" the family pet? They wouldn't ever do it to you, you wouldn't do it to a child, so why on earth do it to a helpless creature who only wants your love? I'm really beginning to think that God must be rethinking the whole part where he gave man charge over the animals. I can just imagine with all the evil things that go on every day, he must be sitting up there thinking maybe it should have been the other way around. It'd probably be a lot less cruel of a world.

As you can imagine there is no circumstance where I would ever give up an animal, period. Trust me and it's not like I'm rolling in the dough either... I'm an Independent Recording Artist. That means there's no label or big machine pushing my music all over TV, radio & social media. I do the best I can with what I have and work my pants off. I built my following brick by brick, fan by fan, and work social media like mad. Like everyone else out there working for their dreams I do what I have to do and try to live my life according to my moral compass. That for me means even if I were homeless on the street, I'd be in my cardboard box with my four furkids. That's just how I roll. Animals are family, there is never a reason to "get rid" of them, period. That may sound extreme to some people, but a living creature that can not survive without you that you made a commitment to is not something to be taken lightly, or to be forgotten when life changes. It's called making adjustments. I thought it would be interesting to post a few meme's that quite bluntly demonstrate some of the illogical thinking regarding dumping pets. Some also that dispel some of the misconceptions about what happens to your pet after you dump it at a the "shelter".

The Truth

How do these people sleep at night?

There is No Excuse.

Can you imagine?

Every day they die waiting...

More ridiculous excuses.

You can make a difference.

Pets Do not Belong on Craigslist - Ever!

Trust, Love. Unconditional that never ends... Don't fail them.

You can make a difference. Not only be being vigilant to furkids in need around you, but also with social media. Sharing helps place dogs. Giving even the smallest amount, even $1.00 to a rescue who has just taken in an animal with obscene medical bills makes a difference. There is strength in numbers... if everyone who cares and has liked a page gives even the small amounts when a rescue asks instead of scrolling past, just think of the number of animals that would be saved.

Blessings, Love & Music ~
Ava xo
www.avaaston.com

Bad Dog

"Creature" The Hero Pitbull

Anyone who knows me knows one thing, Greek Girl loves animals, dogs in particular.  What else could explain how I ended up having five of them?  So it's not surprising to me when I see a story like the one I'm about to share with you.

Recently a Pitbull named "Creature" saved an elderly woman with Alzheimer's Disease in New Jersey.  The woman had wandered off, her daughter and son in law called the authorities.  They came in droves, and even had helicopter's aide in the search to find her.  They were having no luck at all.  Meanwhile an unsuspecting woman was walking her Pitbull "Creature" that evening.  Creature kept taking her back into the woods, she would try to leave and he would turn back leading her to the woods.  She came upon the elderly woman trying to get up, but every time she did the branches she was lying on would break and she would fall back down.

So heartwarming, and so special one might say.  Really it is not uncommon of a Pitbull at all.  Despite being the world's most misunderstood breed of dog, they are also immensely intelligent.  How do I know all this stuff about Pitbulls you might be wondering?  "Pitbulls and Paroles" on Animal Planet of course! ;D  Seriously though... I have rescued many a dog in my day (Pitbulls included) and all dogs are good dogs.  There are not "Bad Dogs", just bad people.

People who abuse, mistreat, neglect, do not spay/neuter, backyard breed, abandon, torture and do unthinkable things to animals.  I can not understand it, they are God's creatures.  All dogs want is to love us and to make us happy.  A safe place to sleep (preferably in our beds) lol, food in their little bellies, and love.  It's that simple.  Too many people view them as dispensable, and get rid of them if it becomes inconvenient.  Or they think maybe they can make a couple of bucks by breeding them.  Not realizing that those are not cupcakes.  Chances are not all the puppies in that litter will have a long happy life with the owner who bought it.  Many will end up in shelters, and that is why thousands upon thousands of dogs are euthanized every single day.

There are dogs living in the streets who have been discarded.  The cat situation is even worse.  The Ferrell cat problem is almost epidemic in some ares.  They are not vaccinated, not people friendly, and just breed out of control.  So many things like feline leukemia, feline aides, rabies, and a whole bunch of other things that are all preventable.

Not everyone has the patience to deal with a dog that has been abused.  Some you would never know they had been abused, they are so loving, like it never happened.  Yet others like my "Pepe" are so scarred, even after almost five months in a loving safe home he still does not fully trust and is afraid.  Our poor guy had his fang tooth knocked out, burns all over his back of his little body and weighed only 9 lbs when we took him in.  He's now a plump 14.5 - little chow hound.

It's not the dogs fault the people do bad things.  Just like it's not the Pitbulls fault they are bred to feed the disgusting industry of dog fighting, and are treated like garbage.  They are not "Bad Dogs".  Yes temperament and health issues can be passed along especially in backyard breeding.  But to label and entire breed of dogs "Bad" just because people have abused it for decades it not right at all.

Creature is a hero and just one example of the incredible Pit Bull.  Right now there are dogs in shelters across the country waiting to get a second chance.  Waiting for someone to love them.  My little "Pepe" is not a Pitbull, but I can tell you that when I see him sleeping on his side, doing his little exhale and in full relaxation.  My heart breaks a million times over for what he went through.  To see his little face light up when we go for a walk or in the car for bye bye, his life is changed forever.

Could you imagine someone abusing this little face?... Well they did.
I'd like to meet them in a dark alley. Just sayin.

I've rescued and helped place all kinds of dogs including Pitbulls and they are so special.  If anyone is thinking about a companion... before you shop, please won't you consider adoption?  There are rescue's all over the country, and all kinds of breeds, including mutts.  Visit www.petfinder.com, type in your zip code, what kind of pet you are looking for, and you are on your way to saving someone's life.

Blessings, Love & Music ~

Ava :D xox

www.avaaston.com