The Barking Lot is a regular weekly feature of This Just In…Written by my lovely wife, Jennifer and me.  It opens with the weekend dog walking forecast followed by the main blog from dog lover, Jennifer. Then it’s DOGS IN THE NEWS and our close. Enjoy!

THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors.

TODAY: Partly cloudy. A high of 79.  “A”

SUNDAY:  Partly cloudy. A high of 77. “A”

Here’s my lovely wife, Jennifer with this week’s main blog.

There are only two things that Kevin finds fault with me on.  Really!  Only two!  The first is my love of 80’s music (though I redeem myself by also being a die-hard Elvis fan.)  The second is my love of fall.  The sights, smells, and tastes from September through November make me giddy with pumpkin-filled excitement.  All Kevin sees is shorter days, cooler temperatures and impending winter.

I defend my musical tastes by saying I was left with little choice, having been born in 1973 thus growing up in the 80’s.  He acquiesces slightly.  With my adoration for autumn, there’s no point in arguing.  Believe me, I’ve tried.  Still, even Kevin has to admit there is at least one redeeming event when the season changes…

Besides brilliant jewel-toned leaves, crisp air and apple cider there’s ANOTHER reason why fall is so awesome:

October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.  (I do have to admit, though, it doesn’t seem possible that next week actually starts October!  It seems like we just celebrated our first day of summer vacation!)

As you probably know by now, my main goal when we do get a dog is to rescue a pup from a shelter.  I’m on record as saying I have NOTHING against wanting a pedigree.  But for us, I want to give a second chance to a dog waiting for a good family.  While a day doesn’t go by that I would love a dog in our family, we’re waiting for an opportunity that works for all of us.  We want to be fair to the dog and to the human members in that there is enough time to dedicate to a truly life-changing event like adoption.  So for now, it’s one of those things that is “on the back burner.”

On the other hand… maybe the kids have settled into their school routine.  Perhaps you’re recent Empty Nesters.  Possibly your heart has healed enough from the loss of another furry friend that you’re ready to open it to another.  Whatever the reason or reasons now could be the perfect time for you to consider adopting a shelter dog.

If you’re in the same boat the Fischers are in and you just can’t adopt right now, there are still ways to make a difference in the life of a shelter dog.  If you have a heart-warming story to share with other Barking Lot readers, we’d love to hear it.  And on behalf of all the pooches waiting to find their forever home, thank you for any effort you can make.
—Jennifer Fischer

Thanks, Jennifer!

Time now for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.

9/11 First Responder: How My Service Dog Helps Me Heal.

Why so many of the best police dogs come from overseas.

Science says bring your dog to work.

It’s a dog or get married. Woman picks dog.

THAT’S IT FOR DOGS IN THE NEWS.

HERE’S OUR DOG PHOTO OF THE WEEK:

We’ve got 60 cool photos this week!

We close as we always do with our closing video. And we’ve got a few.

Check out the video in this investigative story: Are bomb-sniffing dogs at airports doing their jobs to keep passengers safe?

NOT your typical wedding.

Damn geese!

That’s it for this week.

Thanks for stopping by..

See ya, BARK, next week!

Above you’ll see Rudy and Tanja, our neighbors along with their lovely daughters, dear friends of Kyla, Sophija on the right and Ivana on the left along with Bucky, the “abused” family pet. They were among those pictured in our Photos of the Week above, #15.

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