Keli's Korner ~ The Westie and The Wauzer

For your Halloween viewing pleasure, there is a slideshow embedded below: You can also view the Halloween thumbnails in our Flickr photostream . Happy Howl-a-ween , Keli & Penny

The results of Penny's DNA test just arrived (click on any image to enlarge): Penny has both Schnauzer and Westie DNA; both are Level 2 (37-74%) explained below: These results are consistent with our expectations. I suppose it's possible that some of Keli's Westie DNA might have gotten into Penny's sample . . . they do play with the same toys and chew the same nylabones all the time. But the Schnauzer part is all Penny. This doesn't exactly tell us whether she came from a puppy mill where the Westies and Schnauzers could have been together or from a backyard breeder who intentionally mixed the breeds. Since both breeds are listed as Level 2, we're going to presume that she's a 50/50 mix, 'cuz the math is easier to comprehend. And I'll even go so far as to say her mama was probably a Westie and her daddy was likely a Schnauzer, since that would be a reasonable explanation why her medical records from her previous owners didn't mention any Sch...

We just noticed this shelter challenge -- The Animal Rescue Site is awarding $100,000 in grants to eligible Petfinder member rescue organizations. The grand prize is a $25,000 grant. Just imagine how many animals we could help for $25,000! The rescue organizations with the most votes will win. You can click to help animals at The Animal Rescue Site , and then vote for your favorite participating shelter . Clicking and voting are free, with no registration required. You can vote once every day during the Challenge, which started on September 29th and continues through December 14th. We would particularly like to support the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge in Oakland, NJ because it is right in the next town over from us, and Angels for Animals Network in Cliffside Park, NJ because they helped me find my forever home last January! Visit The Animal Rescue Site to learn more. It's free, and only takes a moment of your time. If you like, you can click here to send an e-card to f...

. . . and your Mama, too? Ever since we found that picture of the white Mini Schnauzer just about a month ago, we've been wondering just what Penny's background could be. She's not suffering from any identity crisis, and we've decided that no matter what, she'll always be at least an "honorary" Westie. But since we get asked quite often, it would be nice to be able to explain why she has the floppy ears, curly tail and crazy energy. And why she doesn't look at all like Keli, except for her white fur and black nose (and we are asked fairly often why she isn't as white as Keli - is she dirty?). Our answer has been because that's the way she is, she's just a little bit different (and Keli is exceptionally white). We aren't Penny's first owners and we don't know whether she came from a breeder or a puppy mill. The medical records we did get when we adopted her all stated she was a Westie, not a mixed breed. But -- we've be...