When I was a toddler I had a strong attraction towards animals-DOGS in particular. I had a pet dachshund then. During my childhood in the 70s, I had a white pekingese named Penny. My youthful goal was to become a veterinarian. I began collecting wooden and porcelain dog figurines with my Grandmother Bandy’s help. I also collected postcards and old pens. Dog posters adorned my adolescent room walls in Plano, Texas. During college in the early 80s I acquired a pekingese-mix. I named her Bourbon. She had 6 puppies and I kept one of them. His name was Grizzly. (All my pets have been spayed and neutered ever since. This is the politically correct and responsible thing to do) These 2 pals were with me through multiple cross country moves, starting from Denton, Texas, to Chapel Hill, North Carolina to Manhattan, New York and then back to Texas (Houston area) and then finally to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (I am holding Bourbon, 1983 Denton, Texas)

My first experience with Humane Shelters was with the BIDE-A-WEE shelter in NYC in 1990. My job was to clean cat cages and walk unruly and energetic canines. I was told upon hiring that this was a tough job and THAT it was. I struggled with a high strung mutt in Manhattans eastern side, lost my 14 kt gold watch, became totally exhausted with the necessary kennel work and noise and was utterly discouraged by the number of unwanted, homeless critters. I had always valued all animals and couldn’t fathom the desertion of one of my own. Near the end of the day, Sally Struthers walked into the shelter with her photographer for a public relations meeting. I was so surprised, this popular celebrity who is known for animal advocacy was standing before me and gave me her autograph. That made my day and later she found my gold watch and returned it to the shelter. I decided to quit that job after working just 6 hours, to my chagrin.

After 1991 when I got married, Andy and I moved to Sugarland, Texas (Houston area) where I became an active shelter volunteer at the Houston Humane Society & Citizens for Animal Protection. I was involved in fundraising and pet therapy. Houston had an unacceptable number of strays and cast off family pets. I was shocked and angry at the public's indifference and lack of responsibility toward societies most needy, voiceless, but much deserving domesticated animals. This pathetic lack of empathy and education leads to the euthanizing of healthy, surplus animal life. Over the years, I have re-homed many animals, rehabilitated some from mange, gum disease, anemia, cancer, bladder stones , infections and orthopedic problems. I recently took an injured chipmunk to a wildlife sanctuary. In South Dakota, I removed sunbathing turtles out of the middle of heavily traveled roads. I have also picked up a gravely injured deer and a dog from vehicular collisions. I have fed and nurtured strays in Peru and Mexico and this year while visiting Curacao, I secured medication from a veterinarian and treated a dog who was infested with flea and tick disease. He had 80-100 engorged ticks in each ear! I’m always on the lookout for a pet in crisis who has met with ill fate and in need of TLC and will always be an advocate for these weakest members of society who have no voice.

In the year 2000 I started bidding on eBay internet auctions. Naturally, I looked under “Antique Dog” and “Vintage Dog” titles. Somewhere along the canine searches, I pulled up a listing for a dog license. This was a unique collectible and one which led me to a few dog tag collectors.  I have connected with many dog license enthusiasts over the years and decided to promote the hobby to a worldwide audience. Before 2000, I was practically unfamiliar with canine licensing laws. I don’t recall the licensing of my childhood or early adulthood pets and I certainly didn’t know that they existed prior to the 1900s. I personally don’t think that it is appropriate to license a dog, cat or goat. These are SUBJECTS, living beings, mammals like us and not OBJECTS to be taxed. I’m even more uncomfortable when this tax money is NOT used for animal protection and promotional purposes. That is the real crime in animal taxation. Nevertheless, there is a complicated, relatively unknown and interesting history surrounding it and it is the law in most areas.

1979 Plano Senior yearbook photo wearing a 'Farrah Fawcett' hairstyle

 I love to write and research issues surrounding responsible pet ownership (A bad term! Guardianship is much better) Dog licensing is just one of the many steps to take to become a responsible pet keeper and guardian. The collecting of dog license tags is fascinating with its endless variety of shapes and sizes. These metal, plastic and fiber disks are easy to store and display and they withstand age and the elements.

I served as President for 2 terms for the North Hills Past Finders, which is a club of metal detector enthusiasts in the Pittsburgh area. Later, I served as a board member of the Washington County Humane Society for 2 terms. I work as a freelance writer and published a photography book entitled CAR DOGS and traveling companions which features dogs (and a cat) who were seen and photographed  in various U.S. cities and in foreign countries around the world.

Many dog tags have been dug by these diligent and dedicated treasure hunters (metal detecting enthusiasts). I’m proud that these hardworking individuals have shared their tags with me for documentation and purchase.

Pet overpopulation is a huge, global concern. One that is PREVENTABLE with safe, affordable sterilization of BOTH sexes. My eventual goal in life is to create a perpetual haven for multiple dogs where they can live their lives out in safety and comfort. This would require endowments from caring individuals like yourself. In the meantime I will keep writing nationwide articles , educating the public on overpopulation issues and will be publishing a  book on dogs in 2005.

My husband Andy has grown to love and adore the family canines and felines and we often travel with them on plane trips. We have petsitters and loving caretakers at home when we are away. Andy and I named the Canine Play Area of the newly built Western Pa. Humane Society in Pittsburgh. It is called “Peek-A-Boos Den”. During a recent trip to Aspen, Colorado to attend a fundraising gala for the Aspen animal shelter, we decided to name a dog kennel in their upcoming new shelter. This web site was a gift from my generous, accepting and supportive husband for my 42nd birthday. Andy, you're my HERO!

1962, My dachsund pup who bit me and left a small facial scar. Notice the Dalmations & Fire truck on my shirt.

1982- Tony Dorsett at his Texas home. 

  Dallas, Texas was the BEST place to grow up in. Everything is bigger and better in Texas.

This long dress that I'm wearing was bought for me by grandfather Bandy when I was about 13. It had strawberries on it. I picked it out at a department store and it made me so happy when I couldn't choose between 2 dresses that I liked, so he bought both of them for me so I wouldn't have to choose between them. Many of my clothes were handmade for me, so I relished the freedom when I could choose my own storebought clothing !