Ovie and Dogs on Deployment

CLICK THE LINK BELOW Gofundme.com/Oviethebulldog to donate please.... 

gofundme.com/OvieTheBulldog

Friends... please please please put your dollars together and send Ovie to the Winter Classic. Anything over the goal will go to Dogs on Deployment.

Dogs on Deployment is an awesome organization! http://dogsondeployment.org/

As a small part of the military family, I urge you to consider donating. You see, when you go TDY or PCS you have to think of the 4 legged member too.

TDY= Temporary Duty Assignment

PCS = Permanent Change of Station 

A TDY can last upwards of a year. Can you imagine your furry friend in a boarding facility (IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT) or worse, giving them up for adoption? I would not know what to do without my family and I urge you to help.

Ovie is a making the trip, shaking some paws and hopefully bring the best Cap's fan back to the East side!

For all my friends who donate, I will put your names in a hat and you will win a portrait drawing of your dog by the ever so talented Artistic Bulldog.

Please donate and in the comments write "friend of Gunner's" I will place your name in the hat and have a video drawing of the winner!

Doing for others update

This past year we have all had our ups and downs. We have lost friends, family and jobs. Each friend on twitter has been there through it all. We are eternally grateful.

Many ask why we donate to so many causes, yes I really get the emails and pings asking what is so special about this or that. My Mom has always been a giver, to a fault at times.

Our plans for our Rufus' Rascals foundation was met with a bit of angst and red-tape. Privately we have funded many rescues, vet bills, food, sheltering costs, and just new toys for our friends going through a rough patch. Our silly parties are funded by my bully-bank.

Having a Non-profit (Not For Profit 501 (c)(3) ) is a paperwork intensive process. However, the benefits are rewarding. We are officially launching our Rufus' Rascals Not-For-Profit Foundation Jan 1, 2015. With the designation, all donations are tax deductible, that helps with the Tax Man bill.

We are not a business of raising money, we are however very compassionate animal lovers and hope to help animals in need.

What does this mean for anyone reading this... We will have a web-page and a donation button. We will also have a fundme page with a highlight of who we are raising money for. In addition, our bi-monthly updates will be featured in a blog. One other area we focusing on is anonymous help. If someone is having a difficult time, they do not need to be ashamed or embarrassed. We will privately assist in vet bills.

Many thanks to everyone who has supported our dreams of bulldogs in homes, not shelters. Look forward to the future of the great deeds Rufus' Rascals provides. 

Vet's and Bulldogs written by Mom

If you are in the Tampa Bay area, specifically South Tampa area (although I would make the drive for Dr. Lewis) I would highly recommend http://davisislandanimalclinic.com/ 

Dr. Lewis listens and exams based on what he thinks, not what is common to bulldogs. Gunner has had a nasty open wound rash on the back of his neck. We went to see the doc about six weeks ago, it was mild and we treated it topically, and never did I suspect anything other in the back of my mind, could this be an allergy starting. Low and behold it came back but worse. Immediately I believed it was an allergy and began to plan the change foods, laundry soaps, treats and everything else.

When we arrived and Dr. Lewis and Super Vet Tech Mandi (Gunner loves loves loves) began to exam him, I casually mentioned he was shaking his head a lot as Dr. Lewis was checking Gunner's ears. Mandi was holding Gunner the whole time, as they were doing a snout to stubby tail exam.

Being the nervous Mommy that I am, I was outlining my plan to change his foods, treats, bedding, all in the preparations of "allergies"... Dr. Lewis said to me very gently, before we just assume it's the Bulldog prone to allergy, let me look at these ears. B I N G O.  The culprit was the ears. It would have been very easy to sway me to the "allergy" syndrome and just try and cope with the changes. However, as always, Dr. Lewis treated the issue and not the "standard bulldog hype."

Often I am asked who is my Vet. Through the years of many dogs, turtles, cows, horses, pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, I have had the distinct pleasure of having the best of the best treat my animals. That's not to say there haven't been a few opps. But for the most part, my family began using a vet in Clearwater in 1968, I stayed with him through two retirements. I used the same horse vet for 30 years. I am loyal when deserved. The three I list below I would say are the best of the best in the area. I am more partial to these three because they are listeners and not reactors. They treat, not practice.  Dr. Lewis originally was going to be my go-to-vet for times I couldn't get in to see Dr. Marks or Dr. B. He is much closer to my house, has great hours and I liked him. He was with Dr. Marks as a partner prior to opening this Clinic. Gunner and I have decided that Dr. Lewis is our full-time Vet, with the exception of having Dr. B and Dr. Marks as needed when Dr. Lewis isn't available.

I would encourage my Tampa Bay Area bulldog friends to check him out. While we love Dr. B (Highland in Lakeland) and beloved Dr. Marks (Turkey Creek), we feel we are A-Ok with Dr. Lewis.


Everyday normal issues do not require the expert. With that said, just your corner Vet is often not the one to use. Reason being; they tend to go with the idea all bulldogs have standard issues, and treat based on book references, not what the actual bulldog is presenting (symptom).

He makes Gunner feel welcome and he treats us well. Their office hours are great for the working person, they are just down the street from the Davis Island Dog Park and they truly are a great Animal Clinic. I am planning on taking our newest member the Turtle there.

I could go on an on about this team of Dr. Lewis and Mandi, I will just say this, go one time and you will be happy you did. Gunner never wants to leave the office.

**This is not a paid or requested endorsement, Dr. Lewis has no idea we are posting about him, we received nothing from our posting** 

Thanksgiving is just around the turkey leg...

We would like to wish our friends and twitter family a great Thanksgiving. It is a time to give thanks for what we have, and not dwell on what we don't have.

We are thankful that we have a roof over our heads, some food in the food bowls and cars that drive us around. We are very thankful that we live in a country that we can write blogs, go to church when we like, believe what we like and have bulldogs. Oh yeah, that's the biggie right there.

We have had some sorrow lately, we lost a cousin to his courageous battle with pancreatic cancer after five (5) years, yes five years. He is 47 years old. We are thankful we had him in our life and he made this place a better place.

We also lost my Mom's sister, my Aunt. She has my sister/litter-mate Maggie.  She loved dogs, horses and rabbits. She would endlessly take care of her Shih Tzu's brushing and combing and fussing until the Bulldog nation came around. Haha no hairs to tie up in a bow. She was home free.

We are struggling with emotions, both relatives left a lot of loved ones sad.

At our dinner table this year, we will not cry, we will be thankful for the time we had and all the great memories.

Halloween is over and now the Thank You's!

First off let me say to the amazing and dear friends that I have; thank you so much for the beautiful flowers you sent My Mom and I. We are both very grateful and wish to tell you that, when the world seems mean and angry, you brighten our days with your friendship!

Becky and Coach, Sam and Diesel, Georgia and Mommy, Magoo-Carter-MissO-Grover, Beckett and Jax, Deuce and LiLi, Mr. Chips, Mandy and Daphne. Your generous thoughtfulness overwhelms us.

We are often asked why do we do this? I have to tell you the smiles on the faces of my fellow dogs and the parents that put so much effort into entertaining us for at least a few hours.

Without the friendships here, I would be lost. I sincerely thank you all very very much!

Grand Prize Winners (yes two)

The Grand Prize winner selection actually garnered two winners.

The Judge couldn't decide and picked two. So... each will receive a Watercolor Portrait made by Artistic Bulldog.

Unfortunately her artwork is such in demand, delivery may be after the holidays. However, your pieces are paid for and you will need to email her your picture you want drawn.

Now for the winners.....

Bulldog Jethro on the top
and

Bubbles as the Spider Dog....