Black Mouth Cur

I've been asked by several people, "what is a blackmouth cur (BMC)?"

. . . I don't really know much about them. I originally wanted a rhodesian ridgeback (RR). I saw similarities between an RR and Barkley. I knew I wanted another dog similar to Barkley. So I contacted the local RR rescue group and checked the local pound through petfinder.com. In my search, I would see RR/BMC mixes.

One day, I decided to google BMC and the first picture I saw looked exactly like Barkley. The United Kennel Club recognizes the BMC, but it's origins are unknown. In the US, BMCs are found in the southern states. Physical traits: black muzzle, muscular body, deep chest, and very cute ears. BMCs are eager to please, loyal, require lots of exercise, and are great family dogs.

Donating to a good cause

I'm excited about adopting Red, but it saddens me that there are so many dogs that need forever homes. Many cats and dogs are euthanized, because there is no space for them in their local shelters. Fortunately, there are organizations like the ARK where people open up their hearts and their homes in an effort to give animals the best possible chance of finding a forever home.

One of the dogs we considered adopting is Big Red. Big Red is goofy, adorable Rhodesian Ridgeback/Redbone Coonhound mix. He came to Four Paws Coonhound and Friends with an old shoulder injury. They were afraid he'd lose leg, but a state-of-the-art procedure was performed to fix the injury. Of course, the surgery was expensive so they need donations to pay for the procedure. Here's a new story on Big Red.

If you're surprised to find money in your pocket after Christmas, please consider to donating to one of the organizations I've mentioned or to your local pet rescue group. Typically, these donations are tax deductible.

Quiet Weekend

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Sage is still recuperating from surgery, so we curled up on the couch and watched Dogs 101 and dog agility and diving competitions.

I was hoping to take pictures of holiday light decorations, but my camera takes horrible night pictures. The local paper has some pictures. Check them out! It will open up with a map of Anchorage, we live in the southern part of the Taku/Campbell section.

This is Red

He's the reason for my trip to Oklahoma. He's six months old and a Black Mouth Cur/Hound mix. Red is being fostered through Animal Rescue and Kare (ARK) of McCurtain County, Oklahoma; their website is one of my links. I'll be flying down to Dallas on January 8. The following day I will drive to Broken Bow and will pick him up. My plans from there on are in flux. I'm hoping to drive to Hot Springs, Arkansas. My father was in the military and one of the places we were stationed was Jacksonville, Arkansas. Red and I will fly out of Dallas on January 12.

A new beginning starts with an end

We lost Barkley in October 2009. He was a mixed bag of frustration and love, but mostly love. I will miss my shadow, my spotted-tongue dog, and best friend.