February is Adopt a Rabbit Month

You know I'm on a campaign with my Mom this year to help as many homeless animals - 1000 is my goal - to find the same type of happy home as I have. And while I do spend most of my time promoting dog and cat adoption, there are those Moms and Dads who just aren't cat or dog people. Hard to imagine, I know, but it's true. But I have a solution for them. How about a rabbit?

February is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month. The House Rabbit Society and the ASPCA are encouraging rabbit adoption with the theme for this year's celebration - "Warm Your Heart, Warm Your Home - Adopt a Rescued Rabbit."

Marinell Harriman, founder and president of HRS, explains that the timing of this educational effort couldn't be better. "As we move into the months preceding Easter, it is critical that we get the word out. There are thousands of rabbits in shelters around the country waiting for homes; many of these rabbits were babies purchased as a whim during last year's Easter season by families who didn't know how to care for and interact with them. Now the kids have grown tired of them, and parents have dropped them off at already-crowded shelters."

HRS's mission is twofold - to educate the public about these often-misunderstood companion animals, and to help rescue and "re-home" domestic rabbits. However, Ms. Harriman cautions, rabbits are not for everyone, and therefore House Rabbit Society volunteers work hard to educate the public about what rabbits are, and what they are not.

I don't know much about pet rabbits. All the rabbits at my house are not pets. I see them hopping around in the field sometimes and I think it might be great fun to chase them but Mom won't let me. But Ms. Harriman knows all about rabbits. She told me that rabbits can be wonderful indoor companions, get along with many other companion animals (including cats and dogs), are intelligent, affectionate and inquisitive, and can readily be trained to use a litter box. That's pretty smart. Even I don't know how to use the litter box! However, they can also be destructive. The ideal "rabbit person", in addition to being gentle, patient and eager to get to know a rabbit on his or her terms, must be willing to rabbit-proof their home to prevent destructive chewing. (See Mom - I'm not the only one who chews on things they're not supposed to).

Like the ASPCA, HRS says rabbits can and should be spayed and neutered - both for health reasons and also to help put an end to the animal overpopulation problem.

HRS also tries to teach people that rabbits are not always a good pet, especially for children. Even baby bunnies tend to be willful and independent, and do not enjoy being picked up and carried. HRS also cautions against buying or adopting a rabbit as a gift, or on impulse, as the novelty of having a new pet usually wears off. When a family realizes how much day-to-day work is involved, the rabbit is, unfortunately, often turned loose or surrendered to a shelter.

I have a bunny right here in Arkansas that needs a loving family. Her name is Maggie Mae and she is beautiful! And she sure would love to have a home of her very own. She lives in Little Rock, AR with a foster mom right now but waits for the day, just like I did in the shelter, when her Mom and/or Dad will come to take her home to stay. If you decide a rabbit is the right addition to your household, make adoption your first option. If you would like to adopt Maggie Mae, contact the Arkansas Pet Rabbit Network. Or contact your nearest House Rabbit Society Chapter or local shelter or rescue group to meet the rabbits who are waiting for homes in your area. Remember - tell the Bob sent you. And let me know when you bring your new bunny friend home so I can see how I'm doing towards my goal.

Also, this month, in honor of Adopt a Rabbit Month, for each purchase from the Travels with Bob shop (http://www.cafepress.com/travelwithbob), not only will Mom make a donation to the Petfinder Foundation, she will also make a donation to the House Rabbit Society.

Mom and Bob and Boomer Living - What Fun!

There's a great new resource for baby boomers available. Boomer-Living.com just went "live" recently and it's wonderful. My Mom is a baby boomer (and a Diva!) and she says it's already been valuable to her.

You might some familar faces when you visit! Most of you know my Mom, Melodieann Whiteley, is a meeting planner and site selection specialist. That means she travels - a lot! Thanks to a partnership between the Divas of Boomer Diva Nation and the editors of Boomer-Living.com, she shares those experiences with everyone through the Boomer Adventure column. She writes about the different places that make great trips for boomers and offers suggestions on where to stay, what to visit, and even where and what to eat. Mom has traveled widely for many years and she knows how to do so inexpensively and comfortably. Look for her recommendations at http://boomer-living.com/travel

There are a few other faces you might recognize - there's quite an assortment of Divas sharing their wisdom and experiences with the readers of Boomer-Living.com. BDN founder Beverly Mahone blogs about "Making Your Mess Your Message." I'm not sure what that means exactly. Mom doesn't like it when I make messes. I need to read Bev's blog so I can learn to make it my message. Then maybe Mom won't be so upset!

And Mom's friend and fellow Diva Rhea Becker shares her thoughts on all things 'boomer' with her blog "Boomers with a View." Mom just read me her story about the boomer pilot that saved the lives of his passengers by safely landing his plane in the Hudson river after it hit a flock of birds. Who knew a flock of birds could bring down a plane? (One more reason why I prefer to drive when we travel. I am not a bird-dog!) You can catch up with Bev and Rhea in the Coffee House http://boomer-living.com/coffeehouse/.

What's that? You say you see one more familiar face in the Coffee House? Yes, you're correct. That's me! I also have a blog on Boomer-Living.com. I am a boomer too, after all. And each week I'll be talking about my adventures traveling with my Mom, and offering advice on training your people to travel well and suggestion on how to take the best care of your Mom and Dad. I'm very excited that Mr. Doug (that's the guy who runs this whole thing) thought my blog was interesting enough to include. Ms. Bev, does this make me a Diva too? Oh...Mom just told me that only girls can be Divas. I guess I'll just have to settle for being Bob.

Please stop by http://boomer-living.com and check us all out. And let us know that you did - tell Mom, and Bev, and Rhea, and Mr. Doug that you heard about them here at The Adventures of Traveling Bob!

Teo and Pearly need homes!

As promised, this post features some of my Hot Springs brothers and sisters that are waiting to write their own story that ends with beginning life in a new home. All of these pets are available at the The Humane Society of Garland County.

The Humane Society Of Garland County was established in 1974. They were originally known as The Garland County Animal Welfare Association Inc. The H.S.G.C. is a non profit, 501(3) (c), donation funded no kill organization. Currently they care for over 100 animals. They have both dogs & cats at this time. The majority of their animals come to them as a result of abandonment, mistreatment, cruelty, and neglect - which means they would REALLY appreciate a home of their own with someone to love them! The H.S.G.C. functions mainly from volunteers, with only (3) part-time paid employees in the entire organization. As part of their mission since the H.S.G.C. was founded they concentrate on rehabilitating all animals that enter their facility so that they can become socially interactive and be placed for adoption. They have recently opened a low cost spay/neuter clinic on site in order to help control the unwanted,pet over population. If you like one of the pets listed below, or if you want to see other pets that are available, visit the shelter at 1249 Ault Loop, Lonsdale, AR.72087. The shelter is open Tue.-Sat. 11:00am-4:00pm Sun. 12:00-4:00. They are closed on Mondays. Or visit their web site at http://hsgconline.org/ for more adoptable pets.

Their adoption fees are as follows: Dogs-$60.00 Cats-$60.00. Requirements: you must have a fenced yard and be able to provide care for the animal. The animal must be spayed/neutered.

Contact the shelter today to adopt one of these great pets!'

Duke

Duke is a beautiful Redbone Hound. He was born approximately 2007. He was brought to the Humane Society as a stray. He weights about 60 pounds, has a beautiful red coat and is gentle and gets along well with the other dogs.

Teo

Teo is a female black lab. She also has a sister at the shelter named Rio. They are happy pups and are learning to walk on leashes. they live in the same run and would love to be adopted together but like sisters, they would be happy for each other if they had to be parted if they both got happy homes. They are both very sweet!

Sissy

My name is Sissy. I don't quite understand why I am here but all I know is my family split up. The nice lady in my family left and the nice man in my family travels long distance all the time and could not keep my sister and I any longer. They had us neutered so we can't have puppies, which we didn't want to do anyway. We are Shepherd mix, medium size and both of us are very pretty. We were born approximately 2006. We like other dogs and in our last house we were house broken. It was a little hard for us here at the Humane Society to get adjusted. We were afraid to go for walks but now we do and we are right next to each other, which we like very much. Both of us hope we can find another home, this time forever.

Pearly

Pearly is 8 months old. His mother and siblings were found under an empty trailer He loves to play. Will make someone a very good companion.

Remember, I have a goal of helping 1000 dogs and cats across the country find homes like mine by the end of the year. So if you adopt one of these pets, please let me know. I need to be able to track my success.

Dog adoption and cat adoption saves lives. Adopt a dog or adopt a cat and you'll have a friend for life! Contact this shelter, or contact another local humane society, animal shelter or SPCA. You'll be so glad you did. Just ask my Mom!

Even Dogs Fall in Love with Hot Springs!

This week we're taking a "virtual" trip to Hot Springs, AR! It's one of the first places Mom and Dad went after we moved here. They loved it so of course, after they adopted me, they had to to take me there to see what's so special about it. The answer - EVERYTHING. Hot Springs is a very friendly place - especially to little dogs!

You may have already noticed that Mom and I REALLY like staying at the Embassy Suites. It's not different when we go to Hot Springs. The Embassy Suites there is great - just like they always are. The Embassy Suites Hot Springs is located right in Hot Springs National Park. And it's just a few miles down the road to some of my favorite places to visit. All the rooms are suites which means I have plenty of room to stretch after our drive. And of course, it has three essentials for my comfort...nice cozy beds, a refrigerator for my snacks, and a TV. All the comforts of home. Pets up to 75 pounds are welcome, which means even big old Ginger can come with us sometimes. There is a $35 dollar per day charge, but Mom says I'm worth it, and besides, that includes a bed (which I never use - I sleep with Mom) and a pooch pack! You can check it out for yourself at http://hotsprings.embassysuites.com/. Tell them Bob sent you!

When we are really going to relax and get away then we do something special - we rent a cabin! I love it when Mom and Dad take me there. We stay at Five Points Lake Cabins - right on the lake. Take a look at the picture and you'll see just how gorgeous it is. Dad takes me fishing and

Mom and I go swimming. At night, we curl up in front of the fireplace and Mom reads, while Dad and I just relax. They even stock the refrigerator for your breakfast with eggs, bacon, English muffins, cinnamon rolls, milk, and orange juice, and also provide regular and decaf coffee for the coffeemaker! Once again, Mom has to pay a little bit extra for me. But any place that leaves me bacon can charge Mom anything they want! (Sorry Mom - but you know how much I love bacon!). If you want to learn more, email them at info@fivepointslakehamilton.com. Or call them at (501) 525-1622. Make sure you tell them that I told you about them!

Besides fishing and swimming, there are other things to do in Hot Springs. Sometimes we go for a cruise! We ride a riverboat on the same lake where the cabins are. It's called the Belle of Hot Springs Riverboat (http://www.belleriverboat.com/) and I can go as long as I stay on the outside deck and always wear my leash. It's fun to ride around the lake and look at everything, especially the mountains.

Mom loves gardens so just about everytime we go she has to visit Garvan Woodland Gardens (http://www.garvangardens.org/). It's a big garden, lots bigger than Mom's! We go there to walk around and look at all the beautiful flowers. I like sitting on the benches in the Nature Preserve. Mom's favorite is the Garden of the Pine Wind. Dad doesn't have a favorite. He just goes to keep Mom happy. He'd rather be fishing! There is a charge of $4.50 per pet and I must be kept on a leash at all times. I'm not allowed in the Gift shop. I have to stay on the pathways and Mom has to clean up after me. But still it's lots of fun!

Very soon (hopefully) there will be a dog park in Hot Springs. Mom says people are working hard to make the Hot Springs Bark Park. The land is ready, but they need to raise money for a parking lot, fencing, benches, water stations and a whole host of other things before it's done. You can help. Buy A Brick for only $55.00 and we'll have it laser engraved with your name or your pet's name, and place it in the park permanently! Mom says she's going to have my name put on one. That will be cool! My name in the dog park for everyone to see! I'll have to have her take me to see it when it's done so I can get a picture.

As you can see, Hot Springs is a great place. But as with all cities, it has it's share of pets looking for homes. So next week, I'll be telling you about some Hot Springs furry friends that would love to show you around their town - after you adopt them, of course!