Dear Santa,
I know I’m a pretty lucky girl. I was adopted by a family who makes sure, ever since the first day I came home, that I have everything I need, including veterinary care for my glaucoma, heart, and deformed elbows. I have two feline brothers whom I adore and two canine, bratty brothers who drive me crazy but keep me company in the good and the bad times. I have a human mother who works day and night to make sure other dogs don’t suffer in puppy mills like I did in those first few months of life. I’m also the spokesmodel for the Companion Animal Protection Society and my job, which consists of creating awareness about animal cruelty in commercial breeding facilities, is my true passion in life. There’s not much I want when it comes to the material world. Why should I? But when it comes to helping Mother and CAPS stop puppy mills and pet shops, there’s so much I still need to do! Continue reading
It’s already October and I’m still stuck in MA. I was hoping I’d make it to Los Angeles and New York City by now, my pink planner full of TV interviews and fundraisers, but alas I’ve had to make many sacrifices to help Mother with CAPS (creating awareness about puppy mills will always be my main goal in life). Regardless of my current living situation (I share my headquarters with two bratty, canine brothers who want to hog all of the attention), my summer vacation wasn’t boring either. There’s never a dull moment in the Howard household!
Back in July, Mother and I organized a very classy cocktail party to educate and raise awareness about pet shops and puppy mills. The amazing people at Fresh on Newbury Street, Boston helped us by allowing us to hold our event at their très chic beauty store. After weeks of advertising the party online and leaving invitations at most of the businesses and hotels in the area, not many people showed up. I was heart broken! It took days to get out of my funk. Mother reminded me of the pawsome people we met, including Daniel and Connor of K-9 strolls and CAPS member Linda and her two rescue dogs. I’m still a bit shocked my presence didn’t attract a larger number of adoring fans, but I keep the sadness away by reminding myself that not many dogs hold cocktail parties in Boston, MA! Not being one to be deterred, I’m hosting Canines and Cocktails, a party for dogs and their humans, at Willow Salon, Spa & Shoppe in Cohasset, MA in December.
Just when I thought things were getting dull in August, Mother and I experienced a terrible scare! There was a coyote in my neighbors’ yard *gasp*! By the time the neighbor warned Mother, the coyote was headed my way, jumping into our yard and hiding behind brambles and overgrowth in the corner, where Mother was furiously trying to find me in the dark. The coyote must have been scared by the yelling of three women because Mother didn’t even know he was that close until the neighbor told her later. Being the smart girl I am, I left the corner and started walking toward the gate at the front of the yard. Mother, despite her bad neck, had to carry me uphill and open the gate with one hand. Thankfully, another neighbor helped get me back into the house. In spite of my trim figure, I wreaked havoc on Mother’s whiplash! To my dismay, the coyote was spotted later on carrying a cat in its mouth. The memory still brings nightmares, and you know how I love to sleep. I was so scared! All I can say is please, please, please keep your cats indoors and watch your dogs while outdoors, even if it’s your own yard! Mother and I were glad Wylie was inside during the drama fest- he could’ve gotten hurt by playing the brave pup. I may have to begrudgingly give some credit to my brother Spencer, who was outside with me at the time. He’s 60 lbs and very fit, so maybe he deterred the coyote from hurting me. Mother yelled at him to go back to the house and the poor guy was waiting by the back door while Mother was rescuing me. Our lawn guy has cleared away most of the overgrowth so we can see along the fence now.
Regardless of the low turnout for the CAPS cocktail party and the nightmare-inducing coyote story, I’ve enjoyed my summer days. I got to see my fantastic friends at Sterling Impression for my physical therapy and met cute Tim, one of their newest team members a few weeks ago. Also, Mother’s dear friend, whom I call Aunt Mary (I have lots of Aunts), is scouting billboards near the Warner Brothers’ headquarters in California so Ellen DeGeneres and her producers will see my beautiful face posing next to my model friend Kiley. If they won’t pay attention to me, I’ll MAKE them pay attention! That’s one of the many life mottos I live by, just in case you were wondering. Mother also took my bratty brothers and me to the beach on lazy, warm days and allowed me to nap in the backyard flower garden she grew just for me! Have you ever fallen asleep while someone else works the rich soil and plants deliciously scented flowers? It’s an amazing experience, especially when you’re not the one getting dirty and sweaty! I gave moral support to the Extreme Landscapers,11-year old brother and sister, who weeded the garden. They have a rescue dog and just lavished me with love and attention!
My biggest achievement this summer was getting 1,000 signatures on my “Make Bea a Celebrity” petition. We need 5,000 by December 2012, but I was so happy when Mother told me the news, my tail did the helicopter wag for hours! All this hard work is paying off, and hopefully, with the help of my adoring fans, I’ll be able to make it to Hollywood and talk to Ellen DeGeneres about puppy mills, pet shops, the Models Against Pet Shops and Puppy Mills campaign and the amazing work the people behind CAPS do to educate people and put a stop to the suffering that takes place DAILY in commercial breeding facilities.
Until next time!
A couple of months ago, my canine brother Spencer underwent surgery to remove a mast cell tumor, which had the potential to become cancerous. I was worried and all (even though he’s bratty and annoying), but he recuperated in no time and I was back again to being the center of attention in the Howard household.
While Mr. Big Baby was recuperating, Mother bought him a pawsome device at the vet’s office called a BooBooLoon so Spencer would stop licking his stitches (helloooo! everybody knows you shouldn’t lick those! yuck!). Not only did it burst, but we recently found out Spencer wasn’t even wearing it properly! The shame (I’d gasp if I could)! Turns out, the collar was being overinflated to look like a life-saving device and attached incorrectly (the velcro wouldn’t mesh together because it was overinflated). If I were more famous, this would’ve hit headlines in the tabloids and I would’ve had to move to Alaska to hide from the paparazzi. The horror! I don’t even own a pair of basset friendly sunglasses!
Despite the shocking revelation and embarrassing picture to prove it, Boobooloon is a woof-inspiring invention. The idea for the Protective Petwear inflatable humane collar came into existence when a concerned dog parent, Marcy Conangelo, noticed her boxer licking stitches (again with the licking!). Unhappy with the unflattering Elizabethan style cone and other uncomfortable inflatable collars, she decided to use neck pillows and safety pins- and, voilá, the BooBooLoon was born! Now dogs don’t need to look like moving, hairy lamps while cowering under the shame of “the cone,” as many of us name the fear-inducing accessory! Plus, it’s comfy and plushy- and everybody knows I LOVE anything that’s comfy and plushy 
I’ve already convinced Mother to get a Boobooloon next time one of my siblings needs to stop *gag* licking stitches. I also made her look at the website so she’d learn how to properly inflate the collar (you should too!). I’m also going to tell Tufts Vet Hospital, where Jack and I are going on Friday, about the Boobooloon. Hmm… maybe I can convince them to sell pink inflatable collars! With all my health issues, I need to be prepared. I feel better already knowing this product exists.
Until next time!
My feline brothers Miles and Jack love the vegan lifestyle. If you don’t believe me, I have the proof! Watch the following videos and enjoy the cuteness!
I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for amazing mothers.
Grace, my biological mother, brought me to this world 9 years ago. My first home was a horrible puppy mill where Grace, my grandmother Millie (may she rest in peace), and I were treated as breeding machines. I almost didn’t make it out of there because I wasn’t fit to live due to my deformed elbows. Who would want a damaged product? Despite the harsh treatment from the breeders, mom was always there for me, giving me love and showing me faith. Thank you, Grace, for teaching me how to be a survivor. I’m happy that, like me, you found your forever home with the Whitaker family in Kansas. Happy Mother’s Day, Grace!
I hadn’t met a lot of nice humans during the first months of my life. When I finally left the puppy mill, I moved in with the Bly family for the following eight months. I had many health issues and setbacks, but my foster mother, Chris, had hope I’d find the happiness I deserved. The Kansas-based Mid-America Basset Rescue was my temporary home during a crucial time and I thank them for the love and support they provided. Happy Mother’s Day, Chris!
I found my forever home with CAPS President Deborah Howard shortly after I left my foster family. Besides working hard to shut down puppy mills and teach the public about the terrible conditions in these commercial breeding facilities, Mother works even harder to give her kids (human, feline, and canine alike) a loving and nurturing home. She’s been there for me through countless veterinary offices and physical therapy sessions, rooting for my wellbeing despite the long list of health issues. She’s helped me fulfill my dream of being famous by making me CAPS’ spokesmodel. Who else but a loving mother would hand out my business cards and call television show producers to keep a girl like me happy? The answer is simple: Deborah Howard. Thank you, Mother, for all you do and Happy Mother’s Day!
I would also like to wish a wonderful and blessed day to all the amazing moms helping CAPS fight puppy mills and spreading the word to make me a celebrity. I wouldn’t be where I am today without women like you! Happy Mother’s Day!
Woof! Not only do I have a petition on change.org to become a celebrity, but the wonderful artist Lacey Fisher recently painted my beautiful portrait as well! Lacey, a.k.a. the pet artivist, makes beautiful pet portraits while raising awareness about puppy mills. Please check out her website!
P.S. Don’t forget to “like” Lacey’s Facebook page, Art by Lacey!
I’m a 9-year-old puppy mill survivor actively working to create awareness about the horrors of the pet shop and puppy mill industry, the industry’s connection to unwanted animals, and the necessity of saving lives by adopting shelter and rescue animals. Recently, I was told I wasn’t enough of a celebrity to make an appearance on a talk show. I, of course, beg to differ. I have my own blog called Bea’s Beat, a Facebook page with 1,200 fans, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and LinkedIn accounts and my own business cards. I’m the Companion Animal Protection Society’s official spokesmodel and recently posed with beautiful professional models in a photo and video shoot for CAPS’ new campaign: Models Against Pet Shops and Puppy Mills. I’m the canine star of this campaign and appear with gorgeous Kiley Wirtz Jennings in the campaign’s PSA called “This is the Face of a Puppy Mill Dog.” I’m 100% vegan and consider myself a spokesdog for this humane and healthy lifestyle – in fact, Bea’s Vegan Recipe Box on Facebook has many of Mother’s (CAPS President Deborah Howard) personal and favorite recipes! I’m pretty sure all of this qualifies to make me famous, don’t you?
Read my touching bio at: http://www.caps-web.org/archives/1065.php
If you haven’t seen the Models Against Pet Shops and Puppy Mills campaign, visit: http://www.caps-web.org/models-against-pet-shops-and-puppy-mills.php
My Aunt Sydney, aka the CAPS San Diego Coordinator, is a pawsome vegan who shared this yummy recipe with Mother.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups jasmine rice
3 ½ cups water
1 bunch spinach, coarsely chopped
¼ cup sesame oil
1 ½ cups red onion, diced
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
1 cup white wine
1 cup crimini mushrooms, chopped
¾ teaspoon caraway seeds
6 tablespoons tahini
1/3 cup tamari
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350. Combine rice and water, bring to boil, then lower the heat to a simmer and cover for 30 minutes.
Saute onions and garlic in oil until browned, add wine and reduce liquid by one third or less. Add mushrooms and caraway and sauté for one minute. Add spinach and sauté until wilted, then remove from heat.
Mix tamari, lemon and tahini, then combine with the sautéed ingredients and rice, and mix again. Place into a covered 8×8 oiled baking dish (or larger), and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 5 minutes to brown top.
This is the Face of a Puppy Mill Dog from CAPS on Vimeo
Woof! My “Models against Pet Shops and Puppy Mills” campaign pictures and videos are finally out! I’m ready to let inevitable fame pamper me with attention. It’s about time! Watch out, world! Here comes Bea!
Ever since last summer, I’ve been working many hours assisting Mother with CAPS. I spent long days working on my numerous social media sites – okay, so I took a few naps from time to time – on my laptop or pink Blackberry next to my favorite human, CAPS President Deborah Howard, waiting for the moment when all our hard work would pay off.
I’m used to being the center of attention at CAPS, but I had to make some sacrifices. I’ll be getting my fair share of belly rubs soon enough! I mean, have you seen how cute I look next to Hope’s Angel’s models Kiley and Nina? My cuteness alone should make headlines, bringing donations and funding from all over the USA.
Where would CAPS be without me? We need help more than ever before, especially to fund investigations that’ll put a spotlight on puppy mills, such as the horrible South Dakota breeding facility from which CAPS investigators rescued Grandma Millie, Mama Grace and me!
Fame is so close, I can feel it. I can see myself sitting next to Ellen DeGeneres, discussing my amazing looks and social media prowess, making fun of my bratty brothers and most of all, urging people to support CAPS. Before I know it, I’ll be showing Rachel Ray and Martha Stewart how to bake “Bea’s Biscuits,” and their TV shows, websites and magazines will feature CAPS, the models and best of all, me!
I can feel the warm sunshine on my flawless coat as I sunbathe on private beaches in Sarasota, the Hamptons, Newport Beach, and on Cape Cod and even the French Riviera after being invited by a few of my many animal-loving celebrity friends. I can taste the delicious Vegan treats arriving in pink, heart-shaped boxes to my doorstep from fans all over the world. Until all that becomes reality, I’m fine with enjoying the first days of Spring. What better time than now? After the short winter days, flowers bloom as if saying: “Here’s to new beginnings!” I couldn’t agree more.
Its already great being me, and it’s going to get even better! Fans, please don’t waste anymore time in helping me and CAPS become famous. Check out the pawsome Models Against Pet Shops and Puppy Mills page and prepare to be amazed!
Mother bakes all kinds of biscotti. Before she bakes them a second time, she gives us dogs the end pieces. Yummy! So when I found this recipe for Doggie Biscotti, I was so excited. Biscotti just for us! Woof Woof! Better yet, they are made with peanut butter, just like “Bea’s Biscuits.” We all know how much I LOVE peanut butter!!!
Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 Tbsp baking soda
2 pinches of cinnamon
1 cup fresh ground peanut butter
1 cup non-dairy milk
1 cup carob chips
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and cinnamon. Place the peanut butter in a medium bowl and microwave at high power to soften, 5 to 10 seconds. Whisk in the milk and then stir the mixture into the dry ingredients.
Shape the dough into long, flattened log and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes; remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Slice the log crosswise on an angle into 1-inch-thick pieces. Set the slices on their sides and bake until crisp, 10 – 12 minutes more. Transfer to a rack to cool.
Melt the carob in a microwave for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Drizzle over biscotti (it is easier if you use a pastry bag). Store biscotti in an airtight container.
