ForeverHomeWanted.com

Lying and rolling in the grass is a simple pleasure most dogs enjoy. They revel in the comfort of the cool carpet of a green lawn. Most dogs.

Saint and Agatha are two of 100 dogs who are just beginning to know the feeling of soft blades of grass under their paws.

Nearly 100 neglected sled dogs were rescued Nov. 17 in Canada. The owner, a musher and sled-dog breeder, was unable to care for the dogs and released them to the care of the local SPCA. The dogs were used to pull sleds for tourists and were kept chained in the woods on a dirt compound in Quebec when they weren't working. Tiny, dilapidated shacks were their only shelters.

Read the rest of the story at: Shelter Tails: Rescued sled dogs enjoying simple pleasures | recordonline.com.

Today is the day I usually beg readers to buy a few things for our homeless pets. I try to convince you brave Black Friday shoppers to think of those sad, piercing puppy eyes dreaming of playing with a little boy. Of those kitten whiskers waiting to tickle a little pigtailed girl. Of those senior, graying cats and dogs longing to sleep in front of a warm fireplace in exchange for being a faithful companion. I attempt to guilt you into making some donations to the selfless shelters and rescues in your towns that care for these lonely bundles of love.

But I’m not going to do that today. Though my wonderful editor has let me run the shelter’s wish lists more often this year, I just ran them last month and can’t run them again so soon.

Instead, I’m going to politely ask you to take some time and shop at the shelters, not for them. Of course, I can’t stop you from buying cat litter, dry cat and dog food, cleaning supplies and canned cat and dog food for, say, the Humane Society of Walden, which is in desperate need of these items. Check out these unique gifts offered by our shelters for those pet-loving people on your list.

See the rest of the story and the great list at: Shelter Tails: Shop at the shelters and for them, too | recordonline.com.