My Pet Rescue Blog

Solving the Stray and Unwanted Dog Problem

2012-01-26T14:04:00.004-05:00

By Cesar Millan

This week, a story was in the news that broke my heart and really showed me the problem with the way we treat stray and unwanted dogs in this country.

In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a memo came out that police officers were no longer supposed to bring stray dogs to animal shelters, because they were too full. Instead, they could either adopt the dogs, take the dogs outside of town, or they could just shoot the dogs.

This “kill, adopt, or dump” policy was unbelievable to me. Here we are, one of the greatest countries in the world and this is what we do with our dogs? As Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” I know I wasn’t the only one outraged, and there were a lot of protests against the Harrisburg police department. But I’m sure they’re not the only ones with this policy, just the ones that became public.

In this election year, we hear the candidates always talking about how we should and shouldn’t use taxpayer money. I would say that one terrible use of taxpayer money is what we pay to euthanize 4 to 5 million unwanted dogs and cats in this country every year. In this economy, that is money that could be so much better used, both for the good of animals and humans.

Read Cesar's full blog post by clicking HERE.

Stray Dog Epidemic Hits U.S.

2012-01-21T09:21:00.001-05:00

From Cesar's Way:

Recently, an internal police memo from the Harrisburg, PA police department was revealed detailing their new policy in dealing with stray, or feral, dogs. The memo instructed officers not to bring any found animals to shelters, as they were already too overcrowded to accommodate them. Instead the officers were told that if they didn’t want to adopt the animal themselves, they should take it out of town and leave it, or failing that, shoot it. The so-called “kill, adopt, or dump” policy has provoked outrage among animal activists. Harrisburg is rethinking its policy and looking for alternative solutions, but it has shone a spotlight on an ugly problem in the U.S.

Read the full story on Cesar Millan's blog.

Dog warden charged with animal cruelty

2012-01-06T09:52:00.002-05:00

From Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
Published January 5, 2012

WAVERLY -- The Pike County dog warden is facing animal cruelty charges after live puppies were found in a bag at the pound Tuesday.

Randy Mustard is set to be arraigned on 11 counts of animal cruelty, all first-degree misdemeanors, at 9 a.m. Monday in Pike County Court. Mustard confirmed Wednesday he has been suspended, effective today, from his dog warden job pending the outcome of the case. He's been employed as a warden for nearly a decade.

The charges stem from a complaint made Tuesday to the Pike County Sheriff's Office. Maj. Jeremy Masters said a man and woman had been at the pound, located off Alma Omega Road, looking for a dog when they heard whimpering coming from a trash bag.

Masters responded to the scene and said they found an adult female dog dead inside the bag, one dead puppy and 10 live puppies who were young enough their eyes hadn't opened yet.

During his investigation, Masters said he spoke with an employee who had been placed through Job and Family Services to work at the shelter and had no formal training. The man allegedly told Masters the mother dog had died and Mustard told him to "bag them up" and throw them out, including the puppies. He alleged Mustard never administered a lethal injection to euthanize the puppies, Masters said.

Mustard told the sheriff's office and CentralOhio.com on Wednesday that he had administered the lethal injection to the puppies and told the employee not to discard them until they had died.

Mustard provided CentralOhio.com with a copy of a kennel card he said was made when the dog and her 11 puppies were dropped at the pound Monday. According to the card, a Beaver man had dropped off the dogs and indicated they were strays.

Mustard said he was off that day but was called when the mother dog died. He said she was extremely skinny and was not in good condition. He said he gave orders for the dog to be placed in a bag and put outside until it could be disposed of at the landfill, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's approved disposal method.

On Tuesday, Mustard said he looked at the puppies and determined he did not think they would survive and administered the lethal injection.

"I told one of the workers, I said don't put them in the bag until they pass away," Mustard said.

After the sheriff's office arrived and the puppies were discovered, Mustard said they placed them back into cages until they died. Mustard said he sent the employee home because "I don't want him here if he's going to do that."

"I'm the boss. I'm in charge, so someone has to take the blame," Mustard said.

Click here to read the full story.

Jo Ann's comments...

This article is a constant reminder of the mentality of the majority of Dog Wardens throughout our entire country.

Now, yes... there are a few really great people who occupy these positions and some are even right here in Ohio. Unfortunately, Randy Mustard does not seem to be one of them.

For the most part, any animal unfortunate enough to find themselves in a pound during a holiday (and especially those that involve long weekends) are basically doomed. The Warden and staff simply do not want to be bothered with coming back to the shelter to care for the animals left there. So, unless rescues can be found, the Wardens will do a mass euthanization which insures a nice long, relaxing holiday weekend.

Even though most of these pounds have volunteers who would gladly go in to care and feed, they are usually locked out and not allowed back in the building until the next open day for business.

It's sad enough that these Dog Wardens continue the practice of mass euthanization during holidays, but Mr. Mustard has definitely crossed over the line with the inhumane treatment 10 puppies.

Can you even begin to imagine the terror these little babies went through by being shoved in a bag with their dead mother and another dead puppy, and then thrown in a dumpster outside in freezing weather?

They were so young that their little eyes weren't even open yet.

Although Mr. Mustard is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law, it is still his responsibility to see that proper methods of euthanization are followed. It is also his responsibility to hire qualified people to work in a pound environment and make sure all procedures are followed correctly.

Sometimes, I honestly believe that the only qualifications for being hired as a Dog Warden or pound worker is to be just plain stupid, and totally void of common sense and compassion, and apparently a mean streak seems to be an added plus.

It's bad enough to do mass euthanizations but to not do it properly is inexcusable and certainly not humane.

Now, as I said before, we do have some GOOD Dog Wardens. Unfortunately, we just don't have enough of them.

Regardless if Mr. Mustard is found guilty or innocent, he should not be allowed to resume his position as Dog Warden in Pike County. It's apparent that he was more concerned with his Christmas holiday than doing his job and making sure these animals were humanely euthanized before being stuffed in a bag and thrown in a dumpster. After all, he was the one in charge and, as the old saying goes.... "the buck stops here".

Top 10 Dogs of 2011

2012-01-04T15:37:00.005-05:00

From CesarsWay.com:

As we leave 2011 behind, we wanted to look back at some of the dogs who moved us with their stories over the past year. Dogs who changed lives, saved lives, made us laugh, and made us cry. These are the Top Dogs of 2011.

Click here to read the full story.

The Amazing Skidboot

2011-12-28T14:44:00.001-05:00

The smartest dog ever!

Military Reunions with Man's Best Friend

2011-12-22T16:52:00.001-05:00

Absolutely PRECIOUS! Enjoy!

Static Dog

2011-12-22T16:51:00.001-05:00

This is sure to give you a little chuckle!

It's Christmas You Know...

2011-12-05T09:40:00.004-05:00

This beautiful poem was written by Sherry Ceiser of Sad Eyes Animal Welfare Society in New Jersey.

Miracle Dog Daniel Survives Alabama Gas Chamber

2011-11-28T17:39:00.001-05:00

Click here for another great video story about Daniel the Miracle Dog.

A Dog's Seeing-Eye Dog

2011-11-23T10:16:00.007-05:00

From GlobalPost.com:

Lily the blind Great Dane and her best friend and guide dog Maddison have found a home at last, after their story went public and warmed hearts around the world.

The two dogs were being cared for by UK dog welfare charity Dogs Trust, which had problems finding a good home willing to take the unlikely pair. Their previous owner could no longer cope with the two big dogs, and in July handed Lily and Maddison over to be rehomed.

According to the Dogs Trust, Lily's eyes were removed as a puppy because of a condition called entropion, which means her eye lashes grew into her eyeballs and damaged them. Maddison began leading her dog friend and steering the way.

Click here to read the full story on GlobalPost.com.

Cliff Hanger

2011-11-23T10:08:00.008-05:00

Clinging on for dear life to the side of a vertical cliff, the tiny lion cub cries out pitifully for help.

His mother arrives at the edge of the precipice with three other lionesses and a male. The females start to clamber down together but turn back daunted by the sheer drop.

Eventually one single factor determines which of them will risk her life to save the youngster – motherly love.

The drama begins: The mother arrives at the edge of the cliff as her son cries out for rescue after being trapped when he slipped.

On the brink: Four lionesses look over the edge before aborting their rescue mission because of the sheer drop .

Slowly, agonizingly, the big cat edges her way down towards her terrified son, using her powerful claws to grip the crumbling cliff side.

One slip from her and both animals could end up dead at the bottom of the ravine.

Just as the exhausted cub seems about to fall, his mother circles beneath him and he is snatched up in her jaws.

She then begins the equally perilous journey back to the top. Minutes later, they arrive and she gives the frightened creature a consoling lick on the head.

The dramatic rescue, captured by wildlife photographer Jean-Francois Largot, was played out in Kenya’s Masai Mara game reserve.

Despite the presence of wardens to deter poachers, day-to-day life for the lions is not without its dangers … as the cub learned the hard way.

Rescue mission: The mother inches her way down the cliff face to rescue the terrified cub before locking him in her jaws and making her way back up the cliff face.

Motherly love: The mother gives her son a lick to say that all is well in the pride following the drama.

HOW AWESOME IS THIS?

10 Animals Who've Earned Awards

2011-10-13T14:33:00.004-04:00

It's not uncommon to see an animal awarded for its beauty, athleticism and obedience, but every once in a while these furry creatures are recognized for their heroic efforts and extraordinary courage in times of danger and desperation. For many years now, animals of all kinds have shown bravery in war, natural disasters, law enforcement and other trying times, proving that man's best friends can be heroes and pets at the same time. Check out these 10 animals who've earned awards at the following website:
http://www.onlinedegree.net/10-animals-whove-earned-awards/

How Often Should You Vaccinate Your Cat or Dog?

2011-10-13T14:23:00.004-04:00

In part 1 of this 4-part series, Dr. Karen Becker talks with Dr. Ronald Schultz, a pioneer and expert in the field of veterinary vaccines. Listen as the doctors discuss the history of dog and cat vaccines, and the real reason behind why your puppy or kitten receives so many vaccines in the first year of life.

To view the full 4-part series, read additional information on this subject, and download transcripts of this informative discussion, please visit this link to the Mercola Healthy Pets website.

Amazing Photos of the Most Unlikely Animal Friends

2011-10-13T14:17:00.002-04:00

From Cesar's Way magazine:

Scientists have debated for years whether dogs are capable of love and other supposedly human emotions. Researchers have discovered that these are core emotions controlled from the lower part of the brain, which is common to other animals. And it has been shown that both dogs and humans have rising levels of the hormone oxytocin when they’re engaged happily with each other.

Click HERE to visit Cesar Millan's website to read the rest of the story and to view more gorgeous photos of unlikely animal friends.

K-9 Hereos of 9/11

2011-10-13T13:47:00.017-04:00

This is a wonderful e-mail that I received in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

OLD WONDERFUL FACES SAY IT ALL...

True heroes of 9/11 still with us today:

Moxie, 13, from Winthrop, Massachusetts, arrived with her handler, Mark Aliberti, at the World Trade Center on the evening of September 11 and searched the site for eight days.

Tara, 16, from Ipswich, Massachusetts, arrived at the World Trade Center on the night of the 11th. The dog and her handler Lee Prentiss were there for eight days.

Kaiser, 12, pictured at home in Indianapolis, Indiana, was deployed to the World Trade Center on September 11 and searched tirelessly for people in the rubble.

Bretagne and his owner Denise Corliss from Cypress, Texas, arrived at the site in New York on September 17, remaining there for ten days.

Guinness, 15, from Highland, California, started work at the site with Sheila McKee on the morning of September 13 and was deployed at the site for 11 days.

Merlyn and his handler Matt Claussen were deployed to Ground Zero on September 24, working the night shift for five days.

Red, 11, from Annapolis, Maryland, went with Heather Roche to the Pentagon from September 16 until the 27 as part of the Bay Area Recovery Canines.

Abigail, above, was deployed on the evening of September 17, searching for 10 days while Tuff arrived in New York at 11:00 pm on the day of attack to start working early the next day.

Handler Julie Noyes and Hoke were deployed to the World Trade Center from their home in Denver on September 24 and searched for five days.

Scout and another unknown dog lie among the rubble at Ground Zero, just two of nearly 100 search and rescue animals who helped to search for survivors.

During the chaos of the 9/11 attacks, where almost 3,000 people died, nearly 100 loyal search and rescue dogs and their brave owners scoured Ground Zero for survivors.

Now, ten years on, just 12 of these heroic canines survive, and they have been commemorated in a touching series of portraits entitled 'Retrieved'.

The dogs worked tirelessly to search for anyone trapped alive in the rubble, along with countless emergency service workers and members of the public.

Traveling across nine states in the U.S. from Texas to Maryland, Dutch photographer Charlotte Dumas, 34, captured the remaining dogs in their twilight years in their homes where they still live with their handlers, a full decade on from 9/11.

Their stories have now been compiled in a book, called Retrieved, which was published on the tenth anniversary of the attacks.

Noted for her touching portraits of animals, especially dogs, Charlotte wanted 'Retrieved' to mark not only the anniversary of the September 2001 attacks, but also as recognition for some of the first responders and their dogs.

'I felt this was a turning point, especially for the dogs, who although are not forgotten, are not as prominent as the human stories involved,' explained Charlotte, who splits her time between New York and Amsterdam.

'They speak to us as a different species and animals are greatly important for our sense of empathy and to put things into perspective.'

Hero Dogs of 9/11

2011-10-03T13:18:00.006-04:00

From CesarsWay.com

Ten years after that fateful day, a rescue dog named Abby is enjoying her retirement

At first glance, Abby the black Lab doesn’t look her age. There are very few gray hairs on her muzzle, and she’s as alert and intelligent as she ever was. Watch her on her daily walks with Debra Tosch, though, and you can see the decline. The back legs are starting to go, and she just can’t move the way she used to. At 14, Abby is an elderly dog in the twilight of her life.

But what a life she’s had!

Abby’s a retired search-and-rescue dog, and she and Debra, who was her handler, worked in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit. They also worked California’s deadly La Conchita mudslide in 2005. Just two days before she retired, on her 11th birthday, Abby searched for survivors at the scene of a train wreck in California. And she’s one of the few dogs still living who hunted through the smoldering ruins of the World Trade Center desperately seeking signs of life after the September 11 attacks 10 years ago.

Read the full story on the Cesar Millan's website.

The Original Motorcycle Dog

2011-10-03T13:14:00.001-04:00

Deformed puppy, rescued from trash, learns to walk

2011-09-27T10:41:00.001-04:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Read the article on MSNBC.com:
Deformed puppy, rescued from trash, learns to walk

Cancer Can't Keep a Good Dog Down

2011-09-07T12:43:00.003-04:00

As the pet parents of every dog who is diagnosed with some form of cancer quickly realize, we’re all in this together. Fighting the fear and panic that grip us is universal. We reach out for accurate information, second opinions, the best surgeon, oncologist, holistic vet, diet and meds. We accept support from other families battling canine cancer, from friends and family, from our personal faith and prayer chains and from organizations like 2 million Dogs. All of this makes it possible for us to approach the positive attitude and amazing courage with which our beloved dogs face this disease.

My service dog partner, Emily and I said yes to Puppy Up! with 2 Million Dogs after she was diagnosed with mast cell cancer. Luke, Murphy and Hudson were walking through our town in March 2009 when we learned they would be walking shelter dogs at Animal Friends Humane Society here in SW Ohio. I wanted so much for Emily to meet the boys. The same thing which always challenged us, a lack of wheelchair accessible transportation, kept us from meeting them but couldn’t stop us from being involved. We walked our miles in our neighborhood and would have been honored to walk into Boston with them. Since that wasn’t possible I asked Nature’s Variety, makers of the raw diet which was part of Emily’s successful treatment, to sponsor the cause and they did, for $5,000! We also immediately said yes to The Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium (CHCC), Canine Comparative Cancer Study, by donating Emily’s DNA. When I learned about the 2012 Calendar as a way to raise funds for this wonderful organization another yes was generated. Reading all the stories, seeing the wonderful spirits of each dog lighting their eyes, tells me once again that Emily is in good company.

Emily and I gratefully said yes to each day we were given. She gracefully overcame great physical and emotional challenges. As a very young dog she gave birth and survived domestic violence in her previous home, sustaining facial nerve and dental damage while protecting the woman.

For us, as foster mom and foster dog for our animal rescue, Wildwood Pet Network, Emily quickly became our ambassador and nanny dog to foster kittens, puppies and ducklings. We said yes, to beating the heartworm we discovered Emily was carrying and then yes again to creating a life together as family.

We knew we could always count on each other and so when my health began to change I hired a trainer and at age seven Emily enthusiastically said yes to being my service dog partner. We trained together for three months and in that time Emily learned everything she needed to learn to be my mobility assistance dog. Our special bond deepened as my physical challenges increased. As with all good service/training relationships we continued to shape ours, taking great delight in training and our working partnership.

As my needs continued to change Emily adapted to meet them, often problem solving the solution herself. Whether retrieving dropped items (phones, remotes, pens, keys, pieces of paper, etc); shopping and paying for things in the store; pulling me in the manual wheelchair or adapting to assist me in the motorized wheelchair; riding the van lift with me or sitting proudly on the bus seat with her safety harness on, the joy on Emily’s face (and on mine for that matter) radiated. We tackled Emily’s ACL injury rehab with water and physical therapy and the unfailing support of our friends – Emily led us in her successful, non surgical recovery with typical zeal.

Just by being herself Emily proved that dogs can learn at any age, are capable of much more than is generally expected and that rescue dogs rock!!! When we worked in public she served as a wonderful ambassador for dogs in general as well as for dogs who serve. People were always amazed, delighted and inspired as this beautiful cocker spaniel with sparkling eyes and a great big doggie smile did her job with joy and devotion.

No matter what kind of day I was having she made my heart sing. I am so grateful that Emily and I chose to live each day with joy and not in fear of the day when we would be parted in this lifetime. The morning that I awoke to discover that my beloved girl had died without warning while sleeping next to me changed my life and the lives of everyone who cares about us. Cancer did not take her life, her heart simply stopped. To say that we all love and miss her, and always will, hardly seems enough.

I am so very proud of Emily and 2 Million Dogs – of what they have and continue to accomplish. I hope you will choose to help eradicate cancer with your votes.

Thank you for this opportunity to share the story of 2 Million Dogs and dear Emily. Please feel free to forward this message.

Blessings,

Emily’s Mom, Janet

To donate (vote) for Emily and help eradicate cancer, please visit by midnight (CDT) September 17th:
https://2md2m.ejoinme.org/?tabid=294902&joinme=8594

Cat in the Bag Plays Hide & Seek

2011-09-07T11:26:00.001-04:00

This is so cute!

Elephants Reunited After 20 Years

2011-08-22T10:32:00.003-04:00

Jenny and Shirley were together at the same circus when Jenny was a calf and Shirley was in her twenties. The two lived one winter together, but then were separated twenty-two years ago.

It's very rare for elephants to display this kind of emotion in captivity, and it's probably the first time such a thing has been documented on film. You are about to see a moving video of two elephants reunited after more than twenty years.

War veterans find peace of mind with pets

2011-07-31T14:16:00.004-04:00

(CBS News) For too many veterans, the battles don't end when they come home from war. Combat stress has no easy cure. But one vet found peace was a lot closer than he thought and now he's helping others find it, too. CBS News correspondent Chip Reid has his story.

Gus vs. Pool

2011-07-31T14:10:00.001-04:00

Sgt Reckless - Korean War Horse Hero

2011-07-08T15:06:00.001-04:00

Pitbull vs Kitten

2011-06-27T11:49:00.003-04:00

This Mosquito Borne Super-Worm is Soaring in the U.S.

2011-06-22T12:22:00.003-04:00

By Dr. Karen Becker, Mercola Healthy Pets

According to the American Heartworm Society's (AHS) 2010 Heartworm Incident Survey, cases of heartworm were reported in every state in the U.S.

The AHS believes weather patterns are influencing mosquito populations.

Per dvm360:

"AHS recommends that veterinarians be vigilant about recommending annual heartworm testing and year-round use of heartworm protection. Without such vigilance, heartworm incidence numbers could climb higher than ever before," the association says.

Right around this time a year ago, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) weighed in regarding reports of increasing resistance to heartworm prevention drugs in dogs:

"There is a growing body of anecdotal reports and experimental evidence that currently available heartworm preventives (macrocyclic lactones) may not be completely efficacious in preventing heartworm infection in dogs. Reports of resistance for dogs in the region have resulted in confusion about how best to prevent infection in veterinary patients," CAPC reports.

"At this time, reports of resistance appear to be confined to dogs from the south-central United States where dogs have become infected while on preventives or remain infected following treatments.

"Veterinarians should also continue to emphasize the need for heartworm diagnostic tests at recommended intervals and appropriate times," the statement says.

Click here to read the full article.

Heroes Among Us: Military Dogs

2011-06-05T16:08:00.004-04:00

A great article from the Cesar's Way June 2011 newsletter:

Over the past month since the world learned that a Navy SEALs dog named “Cairo” helped carry out the mission that took down al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, a wave of fascination with military dogs has surged.

The dog, assumed to be a Belgian Malinois, is as much a classified and protected member of the military as any human, and whose identity—along with the human SEALs—may never be revealed. President Obama is one of the few people to have met the dog, in a closed-door session following the U.S. arrival of the SEALs team.

Cairo (and the other nearly 3,000 dogs on active duty in the American military like him) have a critical role in protecting the troops, whose importance was relatively unknown until the raid on bin Laden catapulted it into the public eye.

Read the full article on Cesar's website:
http://www.cesarsway.com/news/dognews/Heroes-Among-Us

Pit bull viciously attacks news anchor

2011-06-05T16:04:00.001-04:00

Hysterical!

Guardian Angels for Soldier's Pet

2011-05-30T11:48:00.002-04:00

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

We often hear about heroic warrior dogs that courageously go into battle alongside their human counterparts and assist in the most dangerous missions, including the most recent operation that took down Osama Bin Laden. But what about the everyday companion dogs that are left at home when their soldier owners go off to fight? One organization is making sure that those dogs are not forgotten.

Guardian Angels for Soldier’s Pet was established in January 2005 by founders Linda Spurlin-Dominik and Carol Olmedo after they had learned that many soldiers were unable to find local caretakers for their pets and were relinquishing their dogs to local shelters due to a deployment. Some get adopted, while others are euthanized due to age or overcrowding.

The two Arkansas residents decided that something had to be done to help these pet owners keep their animal companions safe and cared for while they were away serving their nation. Spurlin-Dominik understood the needs, as the daughter of the late Coy H. Spurlin, who served during World War II in the “Battle of the Bulge,” and the widow of John T. Dominik, a Vietnam Era Army Veteran. She has been involved with supporting the military community, veterans, their families, and their beloved pets for more than three decades.

Read the full article on the Cesar Milan website.

Cat mom hugs baby kitten

2011-05-30T11:47:00.001-04:00

This is one of the most precious little videos I've ever seen!

Dog with two broken legs finds owner after storm

2011-05-30T11:37:00.005-04:00

By Liz Goodwin

Yahoo News

A scruffy Alabama terrier mix named Mason was whisked away by fierce twisters last month, prompting his owners, who lost their home in the storm, to fear the worst. But the redoubtable mutt apparently crawled back to his home days later with two broken legs in a remarkable tale of survival.

Read the full story on Yahoo News.

Kitten vs the Scary Thing

2011-05-25T10:23:00.001-04:00

Kitten vs. the most terrifying tennis ball in the world!

Challenger the Bald Eagle Music Video

2011-05-09T12:19:00.002-04:00

"This is America" music video is truly moving. It features "Challenger", a non-releasable Bald Eagle cared for by the non-profit American Eagle Foundation. Since 1991, this majestic bird has been a free-flying educational ambassador for his recovering species in the wild. He was blown from his Louisiana nest in a storm at the age of five weeks of age... was rescued and hand-raised by well meaning people. As a result, he became human-imprinted for life.

Ultimate Dog Tease

2011-05-09T12:18:00.001-04:00

Too adorable for words!!

The world's most funny dog video

2011-05-05T16:55:00.001-04:00

Traveling Cat

2011-05-05T16:44:00.022-04:00

Kitty is a very adventurous cat. She is the beloved pet of American travelers Peter and Marcia Simmons, who are hiking from Miami, Florida to Ushuaia in Argentina . They are currently in Colombia . Kitty is often seen resting in Peter's backpack as they travel. They have set up a little umbrella on the backpack to shade Kitty from the sun.

Kitty is enjoying the trip as much as her owners. She often climbs on Peter's shoulder to get a better view of the new scenery. She is not at all shy about meeting new people.

If there was an award for the most adventurous cat, Kitty would be the purr-fect candidate.

The apparatus on his shoulder is a camera mounted in a way to document their travels.

To the world, you are just one more rescue person. To a rescued pet, you are the world.

Mother Goose Protected by a Real Deer

2011-04-12T09:44:00.004-04:00

This is a wonderful video on the Weather Channel website about a nesting goose (who lost her mate) being protected by a deer:

http://www.weather.com/outlook/videos/todays-top-forecast-4276#20277

Horse and Dog

2011-04-12T09:40:00.001-04:00

Herbie the dog and Jabby the horse have formed an unusual bond!

Dog Rescued from Tsunami Wreckage After Being Stranded for 3 Weeks

2011-04-12T09:23:00.003-04:00

This is an absolutely amazing story! This sweet dog was rescued off the coast of Japan after surviving the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, and then spent a further three weeks alone at sea.

Miraculously the dog is reunited with her owner:

College Students and Pets

2011-04-07T10:43:00.003-04:00

Several weeks ago, I was contacted by Samantha Heckathorn, a 4th year Journalism student at OSU, concerning an article she was writing with regard to "college students and pets". She asked if I would be open to an interview to share my opinions and give some advice to students who are considering adopting a dog.

Well, of course, I said yes as it's a rare occasion when I pass up the opportunity to give "my" opinion on anything ... and even more rare when someone actually asks for it.

The interview went very well and Samantha did an excellent job with her questions. It was apparent she had done her homework on this subject and was prepared to ask all the right questions so that she could accurately report the "pro's and con's" of being in college and a pet owner at the same time.

Samantha got an "A" for her article and graciously sent me a copy. I felt it was too good not to share (see below).

Two thumbs up for Samantha for writing such a great, educational article.

I'm sure we all wish her well in her chosen career as a journalist.

As always, thanks for taking time to check out the latest postings on My Pet Rescue Blog and I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.

My best to everyone,

Jo Ann & "gang"

By Samantha Heckathorn

Joellen Flucke watched as her 113-pound Rottweiler-labrador retriever mix, Cooper, bounced around Tuttle Park. Cooper, a handsome black and tan dog with a friendly disposition, stood nearly to Flucke’s hips. Flucke and her boyfriend Frank adopted Cooper from the Fayette County animal shelter when he was only three months old and weighed 30 pounds. Her vet told her then that he would only reach 80 to 90 pounds, and she was surprised when Cooper passed that point. Despite having such a massive dog, Flucke is still glad she made the decision to adopt.

“Frank wanted a purebred Rottweiler from a breeder, and we both thought Rottweilers were very handsome dogs. But I said, ‘There are so many dogs out there in need of a good home, why don’t we adopt one?’ So I convinced him,” said the fourth-year zoology major.

College students wishing to adopt a companion of their own may think that the process is as simple as picking out a pup. But an adoption requires a lot of research, understanding and patience. Research as far as what breed of dog to get, how much time you can allot to your dog’s schedule, and if you are able to financially support it. Understanding that in the end, adoption may not be an option. And patience that you may not find the right dog on the first try or even the first 10 tries. Here are some things to consider before adopting:

1. Do Your Research
First and foremost, it is important to know that your residence or future residence even allows dogs. Many only allow pets up to a certain weight limit, or restrict certain breeds. Flucke found out the hard way. Even though Flucke has had the same landlord for several years without an altercation, she knew that her landlord didn’t allow dogs and somehow word got out about Cooper. After much discussion, her landlord decided she could keep Cooper—at a hefty price. Flucke had to pay about $1300 for a security deposit.

With a large number of college students living in apartments, considering the size of the dog is imperative. Jo Ann Jenkins, founder of Jo Ann’s Foster Animals in Columbus, said that smaller, low-energy dogs are better for students. Large dogs don’t do well because they need a lot of exercise and crating them for long periods of the day can cause circulatory problems, Jenkins said.

The other factor to consider is how much howling or barking the dog will do.

“All dogs bark, but some more than others,” Jenkins said. “Hound dogs don’t make good apartment dogs. You share walls with people, you don’t want the dog to howl and carry on as soon as you walk out the door. Your neighbor won’t appreciate getting no sleep.”

Jenkins said the other problem is the number of people who want a puppy as opposed to an older dog. Puppies require more time and effort as they are not trained and have a tendency to chew on anything in sight. Most people won’t even accept a dog that’s over a year old, Jenkins said.

The financial cost of a dog is an important factor. Before considering adopting, take the time to budget out monthly costs of food, toys and vet visits. Puppies typically have higher medical bills because of vaccinations or accidents. Flucke said when Cooper was a puppy, he got into a five-pound bag of dog food and consumed the entire thing in a matter of minutes. The mishap required a trip to the emergency animal hospital where Cooper needed to have an injection that made him regurgitate all the food. Middle-aged dogs will need yearly vaccinations and might need some type of prescription, like heartworm medicine. Jenkins also said unless you are a licensed breeder, it is essential to get your puppy spayed or neutered to avoid population problems.

2. Dog-Proof Your Residence
Even if you adopt an older dog, your home needs to be ready for it. Make sure your floor is clean and there is nothing the dog can get into, like food or cleaning supplies. Also pick up or hide all electrical cords that may be accessible to the dog to prevent them from chewing on the cords.
Jenkins said that crates are a must. She said they are not considered cruel because dogs are den animals by nature and like the security of the crate. It is important to crate your dog during the day while you are gone, but Jenkins also suggests crating them at night for a while until they become trustworthy. To make the dog more comfortable, you can put the crate in your bedroom where you sleep so the dog will recognize your scent. Another option is to drape an old article of clothing over the crate so the dog has your scent close, Jenkins says.

“Dogs in new surroundings don’t understand that they shouldn’t be scared, and who knows what baggage they’re coming with,” Jenkins said. “So invest in a crate for the safety of the animal and the safety of your personal belongings.”

Jenkins also said that water bottles are a must in a crate because it allows the dog to drink without having so much that they have an accident. Do not just put a water dish in the crate because they will most likely knock it over.

3. Adjust Your Schedule to Fit the Dog’s Life
Time is the most important factor when it comes to owning a dog, and college students’ lack of time is what prevents a lot of rescues from adopting to them, Jenkins said.

“To be perfectly honest, most rescues don’t adopt to college students,” Jenkins said. “It’s not that they’re not good people. But they don’t know their schedule from term to term; they move around, they might have inadequate facilities for housing a dog. Where do their lives leave time to take care of a dog?”

Dogs need to be put on a feeding schedule consistently from day to day. Jenkins said they should be supervised while eating and food should never be left out for them to just graze.

Michelle Marczika, a 1982 OSU graduate and now a volunteer for the Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue, adopted her first dog during her senior year at OSU. Marczika’s lab mix “Guerdon” (German for “reward”) was only 12 weeks old when she got it. She said that in the case of a puppy, you have to be willing to get up a few times a night to let the dog out.

“The main thing is you have to want the dog more than you want to party. I wouldn’t recommend that every student adopts, but if they’re devoted enough then it would be fine,” Marczika said.

Dogs also require being let out frequently during the day to relieve themselves, as well as being taken out for exercise and play.

“They want your attention like children, so they get into mischief,” Jenkins said. “Even if they’re being scolded they’re still getting attention. So start giving them more attention by taking them on walks. They will feel like you are spending time with them and it will also wear them out more.”

4. If Adoption Doesn’t Work Out, Volunteer
Jenkins suggests volunteering with an animal shelter or rescue organization to get a better idea of the time and effort that dogs require. But if adoption isn’t possible, volunteers are always appreciated.

Lou Steinke has been the volunteer coordinator at the Franklin County Animal Shelter for seven years. He suggests that interested students go through volunteer training, the dates for which can be found at franklincountydogs.com. Students can also help by walking the dogs, grooming them, sorting newspapers for cages, taking pictures of the dogs for the website, working off-site events, and working donation drives for towels and other needed items.

Marczika said MWBTR needs help in transporting dogs from shelters where they are released to their temporary foster homes. Visit midwestbtrescue.org to learn more about volunteering with them.

“Most students miss their dogs from back home, so they like to volunteer because they get to spend time with the dogs, and they want to make the dogs’ stay here as good as possible,” Steinke said.

Jenkins feels that most college students have so much uncertainty at this point in their lives that they aren’t able to provide what the animal needs.

“To us, we’ve saved a life and put a lot of time, money and love into them. The last thing we want to do is see them end up being abandoned,” Jenkins said.

But Jenkins commends students who are able to adopt for their decision to do so.

“It’s encouraging to know that there are young adults who want to do the right thing,” Jenkins said. “We see so much horror in rescue that when we see something positive, it gives us hope.”

Update on Licking County Animal Shelter

2011-04-04T10:27:00.002-04:00

Letter to the Editor of The Buckeye Lake Beacon
From "Watchdog" Bonnie Mansfield
April 2, 2011 Edition

See related posts on MyPetRescueBlog.com

An update on the Licking County Animal Shelter

Editor:

I want the public to be aware of what is going on at the pound under the reign of the current dog warden, John Silva. While I am THRILLED the gas chamber is gone, our battle is not quite over.

John Silva is from Cuyahoga County where his retirement wasn’t official until a few days after he came to work at Licking County Animal Shelter (the dog pound) as the Office Manager. The County Commissioners put Silva in this position (at the request of a former employee in March, 2009) and gave him about $10,000 more than the former Office Manager was making.

Silva has limited the intake at the pound to almost only stray dogs...no owner surrendered dogs...no cats...no other animals. He is basically doing the bare-bones minimum BUT made sure the dog license fees went up by a whopping 50% as well as increases in other fees (adoption costs, impound fees, etc.)! They no longer do humane calls which made up probably close to half of their prior calls. I believe the increase in dogs being hit by a car is substantial and possibly due to being turned loose (such as when someone loses their home) thinking they have no other option!

By March 23, in 2009, there were 457 dogs taken in; by March 23, 2010 intake was 336 dogs; and by March 23 of this year the pound has only taken in 277 dogs since Silva is running the pound and only taking in strays.

I received a call at about 10 o’clock one morning, a couple of weeks ago, regarding a dog hit by a car still lying in the road alive. The caller stated that he had tried to call the pound but they were not answering the phone. I reached them about 20 minutes later and was told they don’t answer the phone until 9:30. I informed the employee that the caller had only called 20 minutes ago. I told the employee the condition of the dog and that I already had someone on the scene. I asked her if they would have it seen by a vet. She said they would but didn’t have anyone to respond. I stated that I would transport the dog to their vet and she told me that the dog had to come to the pound first! We ended the conversation and I was frustrated knowing this dog was in serious condition and also knowing there would probably be a huge vet bill that I could not afford to bear. The employee called me back and said she was coming to get the dog. However, another employee (who was already in the area) showed up at the scene and the dog was taken out of our vehicle and placed in the pound’s van! As infuriating as this mess was, it wasn’t nearly as maddening as when I found out that some of the pound employees were at work on Facebook (PERSONAL PAGES) early in the morning when they WEREN’T ANSWERING THE PHONES!!

For the past year, several volunteers have been coming to the pound to help the animals. They clean cages, walk dogs, scoop cat litter, mop floors, bathe dogs, groom dogs, take pictures, update websites...whatever needs to be done. Not only is this helping the animals, it also helps Silva’s image. When a kind-hearted volunteer greets the public, it makes them want to come back and spend money!

Although our tax dollars were spent to build a pound and equip it to house at least 64 cats in the 2 cat rooms, Silva rarely takes cats. He wouldn’t allow cats from a hoarding situation to remain at the pound for more than 12 hours.

Some of the cages in one of the cat rooms were removed and put out in back of the pound for awhile (I’m not sure where they are now). Doors were taken off some of the cages that remained inside. The room was called the “Vet Room.” I have received several complaints from people who have adopted animals from the pound MONTHS AGO who are still waiting for the spay/neuter surgery to be performed. Remember... they have already paid for this service in the cost of the adoption ($100 per dog/$55 per cat).

I told Silva that I have at least one veterinarian that will come to the pound and spay/neuter animals for the fee that the public pays when they adopt an animal. It wouldn’t take much to set up the “vet room” to do these surgeries.

Silva responded to my idea with a lot of condescending babble claiming that they have a “potential secondary source for altering cats” and “the shelter is able to provide adoption customers with more definitive S/N appointment information and avoid confusion” and “our written communication regarding surgery also factors in periodic surges of adoption activity” and other statements that are just cover-up and a way of saying ‘thanks... but no thanks!’ Silva’s last line was “It’s all about teamwork!”

TEAMWORK? An upcoming adoption event had been planned to help adopt the few cats at the pound. Had the adoption event coming up not been canceled, I have been told that Silva would have made these VOLUNTEERS (that have been working for him and the pound) pay $55 IN ADVANCE for cats they took to the adopt-a-thon for the pound! Where’s the teamwork there, Silva?

Bonnie Mansfield
Buckeye Lake

A Goose Named Maria

2011-03-29T11:17:00.002-04:00

This is a precious story about a goose named Maria who befriends a retired man in the park. Enjoy!

Violence on TV

2011-03-23T09:34:00.001-04:00

Here is the proof!

Transform Vick's Bad Newz Kennels

2011-03-23T09:21:00.002-04:00

Transform Vick's Bad Newz Kennels to the DDB Good Newz Rehab Center for Chained and Penned Dogs

What football star Michael Vick and friends did to Man's Best Friend at the Bad Newz Kennels in Smithfield, Virginia was beyond comprehension to most of dog-loving America.

The dogs all lived chained or penned, and then were forced to endure fighting and possible death in the name of entertainment for man.

Now Dogs Deserve Better, a nonprofit organization working for chained and penned dogs, wants to rehab this property and transform it to the Good Newz Rehab Center for Chained and Penned Dogs.

Every dollar that's given for DDB to buy this property sends dog abusers a message: We don't like what you do and now we as a nation will show you how animals DESERVE to be treated.

Every dollar that's donated for this project purchases one fenced square foot of the property. Can you help us today?

Stand with us to make this center a reality.

Take back power not only for the dogs who died there, not only for the fifty chained and penned dogs who called that place 'home', but for you, for me, for every dog still chained, still penned, still living outside and ostracized from the family in America.

Take back power for the pitbulls, for the labs, for the shepherds, for the mutts that pepper the landscape of this great nation.

Take back power for every single person with a conscience who resides on this planet and is able to judge for him or herself right from wrong.

For more information or to donate from the website, visit this link.

http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/ddbcenter.html

Let's raise $30,000 toward the center to give the Dogs Deserve Better foster dogs a place to call home, a place to be loved, housetrained, socialized, and vetted. And a caring, supportive environment to thrive, excel, and even find their own new, inside, home and family.

They deserve all the best this world has to offer.

The Truth About Pit Bulls

2011-03-10T08:59:00.001-05:00

This is another amazing article that describes the wonderful breed known as the American Pit Bull.

By Ed Boks

No dog breed in history has encountered more misunderstanding and vilification than the American pit bull. In fact, the pit bull is an all-American breed blessed with tenacious athletic ability, loyalty, intelligence, and high-energy.

Pit bulls are not lap dogs or a dog for the sedentary person. They are not fashion accessories or macho symbols. They are a breed apart from every other canine.

The pit bull was so respected in the early 1900s that the military chose the breed to represent the United States on World War I and World War II recruitment posters. Sergeant Stubby, a pit bull WWI war hero, served in 17 battles, was injured twice in battle, saved his entire platoon by warning them of a poison gas attack, and single-handedly captured a German spy. Stubby earned many medals for heroism, including one presented by General John Pershing, Commanding General of the U.S. Armies. Stubby's obituary from the New York Times may be viewed at the Connecticut State Military Department's website.

The American pit bull terrier is the only breed ever featured on the cover of Time magazine - and not just once but three times.

Famous people who owned pit bulls include Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, George Patton, Jack Dempsy, Helen Keller, Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire, Anne Bancroft and Thomas Edison.

A few celebrities who own pit bulls today include Jon Stewart, Alicia Silverstone, Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba, Michael J. Fox, Bernadette Peters, Brad Pitt, Madonna, and Rachael Ray.

Pit bulls are commonly used as therapy dogs. Whether they are visiting a senior care facility or helping someone recover from an emotional accident, pit bulls are exceptional therapy dogs.

Pit bulls are also used in Search and Rescue work and serve as narcotic- and bomb-sniffing dogs. One pit bull, Popsicle (so named because he was found in an abandoned freezer), lays claim to the largest recorded single drug bust in Texas history.

Pit bulls are great with kids too, as demonstrated by Petey, the beloved dog featured in "The Little Rascals." Pit bulls were actually referred to as the "nanny dog" in the early 20th century because of their gentle and loving disposition with kids.

Pits are known for their personality. Even as they age, most remain playful. They are affectionate dogs who appreciate their owner's attention and approval more than anything else.

While certain purebreds are prone to a long list of health problems, pit bulls are fairly healthy and hearty. They are strong and long-lived. They are low-maintenance because their short coats are easy to care for and you'll have no grooming bills.

Sadly, a lot of pit bulls never have a chance. Many shelters have a policy to euthanize all pit bulls, and do not adopt them out. Irresponsible individuals, bad breeders and biased media attention have given these wonderful dogs a bad rap. Breed-specific legislation has turned this beloved family pet into an outlaw in some communities. Fortunately, there are many people who are educating the public on the breed and dispelling the myths.

According to The American Temperament Test Society, a national nonprofit organization for the promotion of uniform temperament evaluation of purebred and spayed/neutered mixed-breed dogs, the pit bull scores an 83.4 percent passing rate. That's better than the popular Australian Shepherd (81.5 percent), Beagle (80.3 percent), Border Collie (79.6 percent), Boxer (84 percent), Chihuahua (71.1 percent), Cocker Spaniel (81.9 percent), German Shorthair (76 percent), Lhasa Apso (70.4 percent), and Miniature Poodle (77.9 percent) to name but a few.

The American Temperament Test Society found that pit bulls were generally less aggressive when faced with confrontational situations that produced negative reactions in many other stereotypically "friendly" dog breeds, such as beagles and poodles.

The National Canine Temperament Testing Association tested 122 breeds, and pit bulls placed the 4th highest with a 95 percent passing rate.

The fact is that in most communities pit bulls are so popular that they account for the largest percentage of dogs rescued, adopted - and, sadly, euthanized. If you are interested in adopting a super dog, consider a rescued pit bull. Most shelters have adoption counselors standing by to help you select the perfect one for you and your family.

Ed Boks is the executive director of the Yavapai Humane Society. He can be reached at ed [at ] edboks.com or by calling 445-2666, ext. 21.

Ed Boks is the former General Manager of LA Animal Services.

Michael Vick confronted by dog owner

2011-03-04T13:58:00.002-05:00

My favorite "SLEAZE" Michael Vick is confronted by Richard Hunter, who adopted one of the dogs that was rescued from Vick's dog fighting ring.

So sad that this scum bag is back out on our streets, living the good life, making millions once again with his football career... and apparently ignoring his past bad deeds.

Now, some would argue that he paid his debt to society. However, for all those dogs that suffered and even died because of his cruel and inhumane, deliberate actions... a few months behind bars certainly doesn't seem to be a befitting punishment for such an ill-tempered, down right mean and dangerous person.

Nope, a few months in jail certainly doesn't excuse or exonerate his behavior. Nor does giving him back a multimillion dollar career with the NFL make much sense either. Just exactly where is the incentive to grow up and become a responsible human being?

People like Michael Vick have ruined the reputation of these dogs. What was once a noble and revered breed is now feared, banned, and killed daily by almost every city in our nation.

So for all you big sport fans and supporters of the NFL... is it worth the lives of an entire breed just so you can sit in front of a big screen TV watching Michael play football?

Perhaps, if the sport fans in this nation paid a little more attention to what's going on in our country instead of being glued to their televisions watching sports, we wouldn't be in such a sad state, nor would we be killing off an entire breed because of the "Michael Vicks" out there who continually exploit these dogs for their own greedy purpose.

Once again, it is not the breed but rather the idiot human that causes the problem. Punish the DEED and not the BREED.

As far as I'm concerned, it's a waste of time and taxpayers' money to give people like this a trial. He should have been shoved in the pit with the dogs. Now that's a much more befitting punishment than a few months in jail with the reward of another multimillion dollar NFL contract waiting for him. Somehow, I find it very difficult to believe much was learned by that experience.

Snuggling on the Beach

2011-02-09T07:48:00.002-05:00

This unique video is of a tourist who sat on the beach to watch the seals and penguins on Gold Harbor, South Georgia. Unexpectedly, one of the seals is apparently attracted to her and slowly works his way over to her. He seems to 'fall in love' and snuggles and flirts with her. It is quite an unusual and interesting scene. The seals are huge (males up to 6,000 lbs.), yet she never seemed afraid...more amused...while someone shot the video of this incident.

Makes you wonder what kind of perfume she has on?

Gold Harbor, South Georgia, is located off the southern tip of South America (sub arctic). It is a small bay five miles S-SW of Cape Charlotte, with Bertrab Glacier at its head, along the east end of Georgia. The west end of the beach where a glacial stream flows is a breeding ground for various types of penguins and large seals. It is not a frequent destination for tourists.

Rescued Baby Hummingbird

2011-02-07T08:28:00.000-05:00

This is just too precious! Enjoy!

Doggy and Deer

2011-02-07T08:21:00.006-05:00

These sweet friends will warm your heart!

Rescue Angels

2011-01-17T10:41:00.003-05:00

Tail tucked between your legs,
Confusion in your eyes -
I know it's hard to understand
That someone heard your cries.

When loneliness is all you know
And pain is all you feel
And no one can be trusted,
And hunger's all too real...

That's the time the Lord sees you
And lets you know He's there
that's when He sends His messengers
The hearts that love and care.

Yes, rescuers are angels
You cannot see their wings,
They keep them neatly folded
As they do their caring things.

The medicine to make you well
Good food to make you strong,
And finally to help you learn
That hugs are never wrong.

The perfect place then must be found
The home where you can live
Secure and safe and happy
With joy to get and give.

When you reach your Forever Home,
Your place to feel whole,
The Angels smile, and off they go
To save another soul.

-- Author Unknown

The Perfect Crime

2011-01-17T10:37:00.001-05:00

This is how it works in my house!

Jerky Treats Causing Fanconi Syndrome in Dogs

2011-01-17T10:26:00.003-05:00

The American Veterinary Medical Association recently posted a Media Alert warning veterinarians that multiple brands of jerky treats manufactured in China have been making dogs sick.

No cats have been reported to be affected. A contaminant has yet to be identified. At this time there is no list of specific brands affected and there is no recall in effect, so these products are still being sold to consumers.

Presenting Signs and Laboratory Findings
The dogs appear to be developing an acquired Fanconi's syndrome which appears to be transient. Small dogs with a history of ingesting jerky treats (mostly chicken jerky) are typically affected. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.

Physical examination findings have been unremarkable. In addition to mildly elevated liver enzymes, the most common blood abnormalities include severe decrease in Potassium, called hypokalemia, along with acidosis and glucose (sugar) in the urine and granular casts on urinalysis. Elevated kidney enzymes; Blood Urea Nitrogen and Creatinine may or may not be consistently found.

Testing Recommendations
For dogs with apparent Fanconi's syndrome, we recommend a CBC, chemistry panel including electrolytes, urinalysis and urine culture. Blood gas nalysis, if available, is ideal. Additional testing for other causes of acute kidney damage including Leptospirosis blood testing is also recommended. Kidney x-rays, and Fanconi screens on urine may be warranted in some cases.

This veterinarian is seeing dogs with apparent acute liver failure problems associated with canine treats made by Delmonte.

For more information, veterinarian, Dr. Carol Osborne can be reached at 1-866-372-2765.

To learn about other pet food recalls, visit the FDA Pet Food Recall Product List web page at:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/newpetfoodrecalls/

A Dog Named Beau

2011-01-11T08:16:00.001-05:00

This is absolutely precious!

Poisonous Plants & Flowers for Dogs

2011-01-06T15:20:00.002-05:00

This is a great article on plants and flowers that are poisonous to dogs. The article also shows photos of each plant and flower:

http://www.1stinflowers.com/articles/poisonous-plants-for-dogs.html

The Hippo & the Turtle

2011-01-03T10:16:00.008-05:00

Much of life can never be explained but only witnessed...

NAIROBI (AFP) - A baby hippopotamus that survived the Tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal Facility in the port city of Mombassa, officials said.

The hippopotamus, nicknamed Owen and weighing about 300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki River into the Indian Ocean, then forced back to shore When tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.

"It is incredible. A-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a Male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a 'mother'," ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in charge of Lafarge Park, told AFP.

"After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized. It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother. Fortunately, it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond. They swim, eat and sleep together," the ecologist added.

"The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother. If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother," Kahumbu added.

"The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years," he explained.

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

This is a real story that shows that our differences don't matter much when we need the comfort of another.

We could all learn a lesson from these two creatures.

"Look beyond the differences and find a way to walk the path together."

The Lion Whisperer Kevin Richardson

2011-01-03T10:03:00.006-05:00

This young man has a true gift!

Animals of YouTube sing Deck the Halls

2010-12-27T12:33:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays everyone!

How to Make Your Home Pet Friendly

2010-12-17T10:21:00.001-05:00

This is a great article on how to make your home pet friendly:

http://www.lawncareservice.net/blog/2010/how-to-make-your-home-pet-friendly/

The Animal Obesity Epidemic

2010-12-17T10:13:00.002-05:00

The following article was sent to me by Ashley Porter of VeterinarianTechnician.org and is something all pet owners should be aware of:

Top 50 Reads for Understanding the Animal Obesity Epidemic

Note from Jo Ann:

Pet obesity has become a major problem in this country, and one which often leads to serious health issues and, yes, even the premature death of a beloved pet.

Overweight animals are just as prone to heart problems, diabetes, thyroid conditions, and other organ failures as humans are. Hips, joints, and back are also affected.

Proper diet and exercise will definitely help to keep your pet in good heath and prolong their life span.

Always remember that "WE ARE WHAT WE EAT"... and that applies to our pets as well. If it's not good for you... then don't feed it to the animal.

Read the ingredient panels on all your pet food and make sure you are buying a product that meets the requirements of your dog or cat. You DO NOT want products that contain mostly indigestible carbohydrate grains. Rice, either white or brown, is a much better option than corn or sorghum. An indigestible carbohydrate often turns to sugar, which can lead to obesity.... or worse, diabetes. Also, become aware of the "treats" you are giving. All those pretty colors are FDA dyes, which can affect the kidneys... and most treats contain "sugar" or other ingredients that often contributes to obesity.

There are a number of good pet nutrition books available. The internet is also full of information but you do have to be careful... as some of these sites are not a reliable source. Your Veterinarian can also provide you with help in getting your pet back in good, healthy condition.

However, the best solution is to feed a proper diet, feed the right amount of food for the activity level, and always be aware of any changes in weight.... either gain or loss.

Another good rule is to have a feeding schedule for your pet. Free feeding (allowing the animal an endless supply of food) often leads to overeating. The proper amount, given twice a day, is the best way to ensure your pet stays in proper physical condition.

Jingle Bells Holiday Performance by Giggle with the Goats

2010-12-13T10:06:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays everyone!

In Loving Memory of Chyna

2010-12-04T10:52:00.004-05:00

Chyna was rescued from the Muskingum County Pound in 2008.

Apparently, she had been dumped or gotten lost from her original owner and ended up in the yard of another couple who, after many attempts to find where she belonged, decided to keep her. Their vet determined she was around 5 years old.

However, four years later, the couple decided to divorce and neither wanted to be bothered with her anymore, so she was taken to the pound. They didn't even bother to tell the Dog Warden her name.

Being a senior and an owner turn-in, this poor little girl ended up on the euthanasia list. The pound volunteers put out a plea to save her life.

When I saw that sweet face .... how could I say NO... and I was on my way to Zanesville.

She arrived in my home as the most "perfect" dog I've ever had. Impeccable house manners, got along with everyone, including the cats. She was never crated the entire time she was here. She was PERFECT in every way.

I did manage to get her adopted out twice but she was returned both times. Both adopters said she was unruly, would snap at them and had run away on several occasions. However, I experienced none of that behavior while she was here. It became apparent that Chyna was happy right where she was and had no intentions of leaving.

Unfortunately, this past summer, my little girl was diagnosed with a large cancerous mass in her stomach. The vet said there wasn't anything that could be done. The tumor had already advanced into other areas of her body. It was just a matter of time.

We decided to bring her home and give her what quality time she had left.

For the past 4 months, Chyna seemed to be doing great, her appetite was good, I didn't have to give any pain meds, she was alert and active. However, all that changed at the beginning of this week. She started to show signs of discomfort and stress. Her appetite dwindled down to nothing and she finally stopped eating yesterday, which meant it was time for me to make that heart wrenching decision.

I made the appointment on Thursday, Dec. 2nd to have her humanely put to sleep.

Even though this amazing little dog was ready to leave this world, her concern was trying to give comfort to the two people she had come to know as Mommy and Daddy. As Al and I held her, and cried, she tried so hard to tell us that it was OK. Her final thoughts were for us, not for her. But then, that's what kind of a dog she was. It was never about what you could do for her... it was always about what she could do for you... and she stayed true to that right up until the very end.

It's always been hard for me to say goodbye, but this special little dog not only touched my heart but my soul as well and the void she left in my life will never be filled.

Goodbye my sweet baby, Your cancer is gone... you are whole once again.

Have a safe journey to the Rainbow Bridge, and thank you for all the love and happiness you brought to my life.

You will always be in your Momma's heart... forever.

So, until we meet again.... be happy and run free.

Christmas Pet Miracle - Waiting to Go Home

2010-12-02T09:46:00.004-05:00

This is truly touching story that will give you goosebumps! It is written by Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe" - author of the popular "Tips 'n' Tales" newsletter. This story is from Mary Ellen's book Expect Miracles. Enjoy!

It was 35 years ago that Sister Mary Julia recounted this touching cat story, then 15 years later she repeated it word for word. You will see why it was so unforgettable to her once you hear this cat's amazing tale!

"An elderly couple arrived at our animal shelter, on Vancouver Island. They were very hesitant in their manner and the woman told Mother Superior, 'Our daughter was in an accident and died. Her cat refuses to settle into our home without her. Will you please find a home for her orange tabby?"

Read the entire story at:
http://www.angelscribe.com/tnt_121212.html

10 Most Memorable White House Pets

2010-11-02T08:58:00.004-04:00

This is a fantastic article on the 10 Most Memorable White House Pets that was sent to me from a reader. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

http://www.onlinecertificateprograms.org/blog/2010/10-most-memorable-white-house-pets/

For more Presidential Pets, also visit:

http://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/whitehousepets-1.htm

October is Adopt a Dog Month

2010-10-04T10:17:00.004-04:00

"October is Adopt-a-Dog Month! Over the past few weeks, I've been providing you with my best tips and advice to prepare you to step up as the pack leader from day one if you decide to adopt this month. Choosing a dog is a decision that should be made with care and deliberation. A dog is not a toy or a clothing accessory; it's a living creature. Too often, a dog is adopted because it is "cute" or "fashionable" rather than based on the merits of its behavior and energy levels. When selecting a dog, it is vitally important to take into account how that dog's energy will harmonize with your own."

The above was written by Cesar Milan ... and no truer words were ever spoken.

All too often, people adopt a dog for the "wrong" reasons. Now, yes, it is commendable that people go to shelters, the pound, or even a local rescue group to save a life. However, just because you feel sorry for the dog, it's just the cutest little thing you've ever seen, or your children fell in love with the puppy, doesn't mean this animal will be a suitable "lifetime" member of your family. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT OWNING A PET IS, INDEED, A "LIFETIME COMMITMENT."

The biggest reason dogs are surrendered to pounds or shelters is because the owner didn't do their homework BEFORE getting the pet.

If you are looking to buy a specific breed ... and only from a reputable breeder (please do not support the Puppy Mill Industry by buying from your local pet store or from a "backyard" breeder), please research the breed and know what is required.

How big is this puppy going to be when it becomes an adult? What type of coat does it have and will it require regular grooming? Dogs that do not shed are great ... however, they do require frequent visits to the grooming salon ... or you're going to have to learn to do it yourself. Do you have the time or money for this?

What kind of a diet does this breed require? A lot of purebred dogs are surrendered when the animal develops skin and stomach issues from feeding a less expensive grocery store brand of food. Can you afford to purchase a higher quality, premium pet food, or even a Vet prescription food?

What kind of health issues are associated with the breed you have chosen? Can you afford the Vet bills to sustain this dog's quality of life should it develop heart problems, thyroid conditions, kidney or bladder issues?

What energy level is this dog .... couch potato or "SPAZ?"

Do you have the time and energy for daily walks after you've been gone all day at work?

Do you have the time and money for obedience classes for this new puppy? Please remember that puppies are like infants ... they do not come fully programmed. Yes, they are going to "wee wee" and "poop" all over your house until properly house-trained. And, let's not forget about the "chewing" stage. Puppies that are teething can devour almost anything in your home .. and often do.

Are you willing to clean up the "mess" and replace damaged furniture, woodwork, carpeting, etc.?

If you decide a Shelter/Pound dog is what you're looking for, please keep in mind that a lot of them do not have the time nor the staff to be efficient when evaluating a prospective adopter to ensure this is a good match. So, it's up to you to make sure the new dog or puppy is going to fit into your lifestyle. Once again, please do your homework as they don't have the necessary means to do it for you.

However, most rescue groups have an advantage over pounds or shelters. We DO have the time to evaluate our prospective adopters and can help guide you through what is required for the particular dog you have chosen.

We are often accused of being "picky," down right "mean" ... and sometimes even "discriminating" against people. This simply is NOT true. We know what type of home the animal needs, and it's our job to see that your home is a "good match" ensuring that YOU are going to be a Happy Pet Parent, and the dog has found it's forever home. After all, that is the goal ... a HAPPY ENDING for both dog and owner.

Also, remember that if you're looking for a specific breed, there are plenty of "breed specific" rescues in your area. They can be very helpful in providing information needed to make a good decision as to whether or not a particular breed will be compatible. If so, they can provide you with exactly what you've been looking for.

Let make this October's "Adopt A Dog Month" the best ever. Do your homework, ask yourself ... as well as everyone else in your household .... are we ready to make that lifetime commitment? If you can do this .... and answer "YES" to all the requirements of owning this particular pet .... then, HAPPY ADOPTION. It is my sincere wish that all of you enjoy a wonderful, happy lifetime with your new family member. If it's the "right" dog, you will never regret saving it's life. You will be rewarded with unconditional love. It just doesn't get any better than that, folks.

My best to all of you,

Jo Ann & "gang"

Dog Prayer

2010-10-04T10:08:00.002-04:00

Too precious not to share!

The Labrador and the Dolphin

2010-10-04T10:02:00.001-04:00

I hope you enjoy this video of two unlikely friends!

Animal Rights Group Threatens to Sue 2 Ohio Dog Pounds

2010-10-04T07:43:00.005-04:00

Below is a link to an article concerning two Ohio county pounds (Harrison and Fayette).

Animal Rights Group Threatens to Sue 2 Dog Pounds (Published 9/29/10)

http://www.10tv.com/live/content/onnnews/stories/2010/09/29/story-dog-pounds-sued.html?sid=102

This is unacceptable by any pound or shelter that is responsible for the welfare of the animals in their care.

Ohio has full licensing for "humane" euthanasia by means of lethal injection. To continue with a "homemade gas box" or injecting air into an animal's stomach is inexcusable.

The people of Fayette county should hang their heads in shame for allowing such barbaric practices to continue. This also applies to any other county in Ohio that continues to use unacceptable means of euthanasia for stray and homeless animals.

I hope that you are as outraged as I am and will make your voices heard.

Jo Ann & "gang"

Nutritional Know-How by Cesar

2010-09-29T10:45:00.001-04:00

This is a great pet nutrition article by Cesar Millan that is also featured in the October issue of Cesar's Way Magazine:

Nutritional Know-How: A to Z

100 Expert Nutrition Tips for a Happy & Healthy Pet

2010-09-29T10:12:00.002-04:00

This article was suggested to me by its publisher Ken Martin. I found it to be very thorough and well put together. I hope you find it useful:

100 Expert Nutrition Tips for a Happy & Healthy Pet
http://www.nursingschools.net/blog/2010/09/100-expert-nutrition-tips-for-a-happy-healthy-pet/

20 Parrot Tricks in 2 Minutes

2010-09-29T10:06:00.003-04:00

Just fantastic! I hope you enjoy this very talented duo!

Breeder Gases 93 Dogs in Makeshift Gas Chamber

2010-09-23T08:42:00.004-04:00

URGENT PLEA FOR SIGNATURES!!!

David Yoder must be prosecuted for this horrific act of animal abuse. Just to lose his kennel license is NOT enough.

Please take time to read, sign, and pass on to others.

Thank you.
Jo Ann

David and Barbara Yoder of Black Diamond Acres kennel in Seneca County, New York, decided to "depopulate" their kennel. David Yoder created a makeshift gas chamber out of a wooden whelping box (a wooden box usually used as a safe place for birthing dogs) retrofitted with a metal door and a three-horsepower engine. Filling the box with five or six dogs at a time, he pumped in carbon monoxide, walked away so he wouldn't get a headache, then came back a few minutes later to see if the dogs were dead. He repeated this cruel process over and over again, killing a total of 78 dogs and 15 puppies.

Following the massacre, the USDA told the Yoders that euthanasia needs to be performed by a vet, and the kennel's license was cancelled. It's too little, too late. The Yoders need to be prosecuted for animal cruelty.

Tell the Seneca County District Attorney to prosecute the Yoders to full extent of the law.

Photo credit: In Defense of Animals

To sign the petition, please visit:
http://www.change.org/petitions/view/prosecute_commercial_breeder_for_gassing_93_dogs

The Opportunity to Overcome

2010-09-21T16:21:00.021-04:00

Dear Readers:

The following story was sent to me by a good friend, and I felt it was truly worth sharing as we seldom see anything good written about a Pit Bull. I am thankful that it has received such an overwhelming response!

I want to thank everyone who left comments on this article. Although I wish I could take credit for this rescue, it was actually an Animal Control Officer who is the real HERO, here.

Unfortunately, I don't know the name of this person, nor do I know where the story originated from. It only says "Washington", which could mean just about anywhere. So, if any of you should stumble across more information, PLEASE share it with us. If I should find out more, I'll do the same.

Again, so sorry if it was misleading to my readers. Even though I've had a hand in helping to save many a bully breed, I can't take credit for this one. The ACO who was called to pick up the dogs is the "true" HERO for this Happy Ending.

I am, however, overwhelmed by the response I received. It is truly heartwarming to know that there are people out here who have looked past the stigma of the word "PIT BULL" and have shared their wonderful stories and experiences with these amazing dogs.

As I said, all too often, we hear and see only the negative aspects of the "Bully Breed".

Hopefully, My Pet Rescue Blog has shared some of the more POSITIVE sides to these dogs and is helping to erase the stigma attached to the breed.

Please keep sharing these wonderful stories about your own Pit Bulls. Hopefully, one of these days, we can convenience our lawmakers, law enforcement, and our communities that it is NOT the breed but rather the irresponsible, and sometimes cruel, "human" who is to blame. PUNISH THE DEED, NOT THE BREED.

My best to all of you.

Jo Ann & "gang"

____________________________________________

I am a Pennsylvania State Dog Warden and I received a call concerning two strays that showed up on a front porch early one morning.

When I got there, this is who greeted me:

A female Pit Bull and a male Chihuahua.
The Chihuahua was guarding the Pit Bull!!!

They looked to have been on their own for a while. The Chihuahua was missing fur and the Pit Bull had an injured paw.

I was able to slip a leash over the Pit Bull and walk her into a cage and put her in my truck.

However, the Chihuahua would not allow me to get near him but would not leave the Pit Bull behind…….So I thought of a plan to get the Chihuahua into my truck.

My first option was to make a ramp by using a board.

This proved to be a bit too challenging for the little guy.

I found a stool and it worked like a charm! Perfect! He was in!

Once on the tailgate though, the Chihuahua would not let me get near without putting up a fuss!

Every time I neared, he would bark and snarl, cautioning me to stay away. If I came too close he would jump off and we would start all over again. So I sat on the ground, about 25 feet away, and slowly scooted my way over, all the time having a conversation with a Chihuahua that was guarding a Pit Bull!

Eventually he let me get close enough so we could have a face to face & heart to heart discussion.

I told him that his intentions were very noble and would not go unrewarded for the both of them.

-- Unfortunately with the abundance of Pit Bulls and general misunderstanding of the breed, they are not easily adopted and when found by a Dog Warden, Animal Control officer or Dog Catcher, they usually end up at an Animal Control facility that holds them for 48 hours. If they are not claimed, they are euthanized. However due to this little guy’s tenacity and I do believe true affection for his Pit Bull lady, I was not going to let that happen. --

So with my promise to be their protector, he let me pick him up.

However he wanted nothing to do with separate cages. So together they went!

I took the Chihuahua, his Pit Bull and their story to the Washington County Humane Society.

It took some time to get them into the shelter, not because of who they were, but due to lack of space. Their story of dedication and should I dare say love won the hearts of everyone who came in contact with them. Eventually a space was set up for them in a restroom in the lobby and they settled in. The shelter intends to find them a home that they can share together.

The happy ending to this story is not a typical one for most Pit Bulls who are running at large.

It took the determination of this one small, scrappy Chihuahua to save the life of this Pit Bull.

Can you imagine how many lives could be saved if we humans took the time to look past the stereotype and really looked at each dog as a dog?

You may find a loving, loyal and dedicated companion to fight for like our Chihuahua friend did.

This little man and I both extend thanks to the Washington County Humane Society for giving them a second chance at a life together.

Perhaps this story will give you a second chance to revisit your thoughts and opinions concerning Pit Bulls. They deserve the opportunity to overcome a stereotype that can most certainly lead them to death.

These two thank you for that opportunity.

Before You Adopt a Dog

2010-09-21T16:06:00.002-04:00

October is Adopt-a-Dog Month! Here is a great article by Cesar Millan with tips and suggestions for those considering adopting a dog:

http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/yournewdog/Before-You-Adopt

Dancing Merengue Dog

2010-09-07T17:12:00.000-04:00

Just incredible!

Cats Have It Made in the Shade

2010-08-30T09:09:00.017-04:00

Man Built a Sanctuary for Homeless Cats

Craig Grant bought a tree farm far away from the city and turned it into a sanctuary for all the cats he has rescued.

He lives there with the cats and provides lots of love, care and companionship. It’s hard to imagine that once he was not a cat lover and did not want cats until he met his son’s cat Pepper. He also got to experience what it is like raising a litter of kittens.

“Over that time I learned that every cat had its own unique personality and it wasn’t long before the kittens were swinging from my curtains. I didn’t care. Something had changed… I didn’t want to give them up.”

The condo life was not easy for the kitties, so Craig found a tree farm and settled down there for his fur babies.

Over the next several months, he rescued more and more homeless and abandoned cats. The number of new residents kept going up, so Craig expanded the sanctuary to make more room for the animals.

The farm was named Caboodle Ranch and is now a permanent home for all the homeless, rescued cats. Each of them has a sad story of their past, but now they are living in heaven.

“Cats should be able to roam free, and at Caboodle Ranch, that’s what they do.”

Craig has built many beautiful cat houses and decorated the place with vibrant colors and tons of liveliness.

All the cats are spayed and neutered. Don’t forget to visit Caboodle Ranch (non profit rescue center) at their website and check them out on Facebook.

Otter Pup Swim Lessons

2010-07-24T14:03:00.002-04:00

Just a Dog

2010-07-16T16:37:00.001-04:00

Donations Needed for Pretty Girl and Justice

2010-07-08T10:50:00.004-04:00

My friend and fellow rescuer Robin of Measle's Animal Haven Pit Bull Rescue in Dublin, OH is appealing for donations for two very special Pit Bulls in need of surgeries.

Pretty Girl (pictured at left) is a blue and white American Staffordshire Terrier who is about 2 years old. She came to us with a horribly broken jaw that had been crushed and dislocated when she was a puppy and had healed very badly. She cannot even open her mouth and was very emaciated when we took her. She has now gained weight and is so happy in her foster home, but we want to fix her jaw so she can eat normally and live a normal life. She can only open her jaw about 2 millimeters and if she ever vomits she could choke to death because she cannot open her mouth.

Justice (left) is an American Staffordshire puppy who is 6 months old as of 6/23/10. He was rescued by a kind animal control officer from a horrible situation in which he was being slowly starved to death. Also his back legs had been badly broken and allowed to heal badly. He also has a broken foot, pelvis, and his two rear femoral heads are broken. When we took him he weighed 16 pounds and should have weighed 30+. This puppy has been horribly mistreated by people and yet he loves them more than anything. His favorite thing is to curl up on your lap and sleep with his head on your chest while you watch TV.

Measle's Animal Haven is a 501(c)(3) organization and any donations you give are tax-deductible (we will be happy to provide you with a receipt). Please help us fix Pretty Girl's and Justice's broken bones and continue to save the lives of so many pit bulls every year.

We also need donations to continue our PIT FIX program, which has allowed us to spay and neuter hundreds of owned pit bulls, so we can reduce the number of unwanted bulls that are euthanized every year in Central Ohio. The demand for this service is incredible and it allows us to also educate pit bull owners on how to be responsible owners.

Our Chip In page is:
http://measlesanimalhaven.chipin.com/justice-and-pretty-girls-surgeries

PLEASE help us help them, and the countless other pit bulls we save every year.

Sincerely,

Robin Laux, Director

Measle's Animal Haven Pit Bull Rescue
501(c)(3) Non-Profit No-Kill
P. O. Box 4142
Dublin, OH 43016

E-mail: measlesanimalhaven@yahoo.com
On the Web: http://www.measlesanimalhaven.org

True Love Has No Limits

2010-07-08T10:46:00.002-04:00

Ohio Decision Makers' Deal with the Devil

2010-07-02T09:42:00.004-04:00

From Barbara McGrady of S.P.A.

I Resound a Loud, "DITTO"... to Vivian Stevenson's response (below) concerning HSUS and Governor Strickland's "DEAL"...

Dr. Albert Schweitzer best describes the world I envision for future generations:

"There slowly grew in me an unshakable conviction that we have no right to inflict suffering and death on another living creature unless there is some unavoidable necessity for it, and that we ought all of us to feel what a horrible thing it is to cause suffering and death out of mere thoughtlessness. And this conviction has influenced me only more and more strongly with time. I have grown more and more certain that at the bottom of our heart we all think this,, and that we fail to acknowledge it because we are afraid of being laughed at by other people as sentimentalists, though partly also because we allow our best feelings to get blunted. But I vowed that I would never let my feelings get blunted, and that I would never be afraid of the reproach of sentimentalism."

~ Dr. Albert Schweitzer (Nobel Peace Prize Winner)

We Need to THINK before we VOTE!

Please Support McKenzie's Law!

Take just a minute or two to READ THIS LINK:
http://www.animallawcoalition.com/companion-animal-breeding/article/1106

New Deal Sells Ohio and its animals short

On July 1st, 2010, Vivian Stevenson (not verified) says:

HSUS, Pacelle, Governor Strickland and the Farm Bureau have all thumbed their noses at the citizens of Ohio and have left its animals in jeopardy. Every voter who signed those petitions should feel like they've been slapped in the face and should remember that during the elections in November. HSUS needs to tuck its tail and go back wherever it came from taking Pacelle with it because they have failed the citizens of Ohio and the animals they were suppose to be protected. As usual in politics, they got the mine while the citizens, in particularly the animals, got the shaft. Governor Strickland, I will remember this at the polls in November that you have no concern for what the citizens of Ohio want and no concern for the welfare of the animals of Ohio. Despite the fact that I campaigned for you in the elections, I sure won't this time and actually will push for another person for Governor.

READ THIS!

http://www.animallawcoalition.com/farm-animals/article/1380

Wide Range of Animal Welfare Issues

Posted Jun 30, 2010 by Laura Allen

They should be treated humanely before they're slaughtered to eat.

"The question is not, "Can they reason?"
nor, "Can they talk?" but rather, "Can they suffer?"
~Jeremy Bentham

In a press conference held today, Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland announced a deal has been reached with the Humane Society of the United States on a number of animal welfare issues.

As a result of the agreement, HSUS will not pursue its ballot initiative pursued through a ballot committee called Ohioans for Humane Farms to end certain factory farming practices such as (1) use of battery cages for egg laying hens, gestation crates for pregnant pigs, crates for veal calves or other confinement that prevents animals from lying down, standing up, fully extending his or her limbs, or turning around freely; (2) strangulation and other inhumane methods of killing cows and pigs and (3) transport, sale or receipt of non-ambulatory animals.

Signatures necessary to put the imitative on the ballot were due today.

Gov. Strickland said the deal would "enhance animal welfare and animal care standards" and is "good for Ohio agriculture and good for animal welfare in our state." He said the deal had the support of the Ohio Farm Bureau and agriculture industry organizations in Ohio.

What the deal means for Ohio's farm animals

Under the deal veal crates must be discontinued as of 2017, the same date as specified in the ballot initiative and when the industry has said use of the crates would be phased out anyway. Gestation crates may continue to be used until 2026 though no new permits for facilities using the crates can be issued after Dec. 31, 2010. Battery cages used for egg laying hens will not be required to be phased out, but there can be no new permits issued for facilities using battery cages for confinement.

It is not clear if the Livestock Care Standards Board will agree to implement these measures. Under Ohio law, the LCSB determines standards of care and treatment for farm animals. The LCSB could also presumably lift these restrictions at some point.

The deal does include a ban on strangulation of farm animals and mandatory humane euthanasia methods for sick or injured animals. There will also be a ban on the transport of downer cows for slaughter. The language of these measures is not yet available. It is not clear what enforcement measures and penalties will be included. Again, the LCSB must implement these restrictions if they are to have the force of law.

In addressing why HSUS decided to abandon the ballot initiative, Wayne Pacelle, CEO of HSUS, who was present at the news conference said that a ballot initiative is an "uncertain circumstance for both sides" and it is a "better outcome for both sides if we can advance ...reforms".

HSUS, the Governor and Ag Industry agreed on a number of other animal welfare issues

Indeed, the deal is far-reaching, affecting other animal welfare issues. It was agreed that the governor would issue an order barring importation of exotic, dangerous animals as pets. It was agreed legislation would be enacted to raise penalties for cockfighting and improve commercial dog breeding standards. But the legislature must first pass the legislation.

There is already a bill pending to raise penalties for cockfighting. There is a battle between two puppy mill bills, S.B. 95, that would actually encourage puppy mills, and McKenzie's Law, soon to be introduced by Ohio state Rep. Cheryl Grossman and which is supported by a grassroots movement. There is also a ballot initiative underway that would ban dog auctions. McKenzie's Law would also ban dog auctions while S.B. 95 would allow them to continue.

Pacelle said HSUS would support S.B. 95

It is more important than ever that you let your Ohio legislators know that you support McKenzie's Law as the best way to end puppy mills and the cruelty to dogs. And, you can still help gather signatures for the ban on dog auctions. Take this as an opportunity to get involved and help pass meaningful legislation that will truly save dogs from the puppy mills in Ohio.

"We ought all of us to feel what a horrible thing it is to cause suffering and death out of mere thoughtlessness..."

Barbara McGrady

Adopting a Shelter Dog - Free Book

2010-07-02T08:57:00.004-04:00

Rescuing a dog from a shelter is a wonderful way to give a dog a second chance at life, and find yourself a new best friend. But, how do you help start this new relationship off on the right paw? This FREE Guide walks you through the first seven days of adopting a rescue dog.

Veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright and Editor Misty Weaver take you through the first seven days, from selecting a dog that will be a good fit with your family (Chapter Four) through to establishing routines (Chapter Seven), and socialization (Chapter Eleven). Each chapter ends with a real story from a family that adopted a rescue dog, sharing with you the joys and the challenges that accompany any adoption.

Get this GREAT resource by visiting: http://www.dogfencediy.com/rescue-dog/.

"Dr. Dolittle" Hirt Does a Lot for Rescued Animals

2010-06-28T15:26:00.011-04:00

From Barbara McGrady of S.P.A.:

"Dr. Dolittle" Hirt does a LOT!

Dr. Hirt not only talks to but HEALS castaway animals that others aren't willing/able to help.

The Short of it:

This amazing veterinarian in Clyde, OH is in the process of forming a non-profit animal rescue sanctuary... Another Chance Sanctuary Rescue & Rehabilitation Retreat.

When her clients bring in pets with serious health issues and are unable or unwilling to pay for medical care or specialized surgery necessary to save their lives... Dr. Hirt doesn't consider euthanasia as an option, unless the animal is suffering and CAN'T be helped.

She spends her money to save these animals' lives, and cares for them for the rest of their lives, if responsible homes aren't found.

CURRENT CRITICAL SITUATION

Dr. Hirt is hoping others who love animals can help...

A client of Dr. Hirt's recently passed away unexpectedly
and she had a rescue of her own...
to the tune of 58 cats and 3 dogs.

Donna Schneider passed away three weeks ago.

She lived in Castalia, Ohio.

As a rural mail carrier
Donna rescued many cats along her route.
She couldn't stand to see them suffer along country roads.
Dr. Hirt vetted most of these cats
and did what she could to help Donna.

Dr. Hirt is volunteering her time to go to Donna's house to feed, scoop and water, and when I can, I have volunteered my time to ride along with Dr. Hirt to help.

Someday, when I make my exit, I hope that at least a few will join together to properly care for the animals S.P.A. has rescued, too.

Last time I met Dr. Hirt at her clinic
to help care for Donna's cats
and walked over to her SUV,
this is what I saw...

Dr. Hirt takes various groups of her rescues to the clinic with her each day.
I was finally able to make room on the seat for me!

When we arrived at Donna's house
I could not believe all of the cats.
Most appeared to be very healthy,
except for a few with kidney failure and old age.
A couple were diabetic,
but Dr. Hirt took them to the clinic soon after Donna's death.

Donna has photos and cat plates, cat cards, cat calenders, etc.
all over her house!
Not to mention hundreds of cat toys.

She had placed an electric blanket over her dining room table
so the elderly, ill cats could keep warm and comfy.
It was still turned on my first visit there three weeks ago,
soon after her death.

I found this photo of a few of Donna's cats
in a stack of photos on an end table...

Donna's son will be selling her house soon
and all of the cats have to go!

Dr. Hirt is taking all of Donna's
beloved rescues under her wing...

Dr. Hirt has 35 dogs living in her home, as well as pot bellied pigs, birds, cats, and in her barn; goats, sheep, horses, AND MORE.... ALL RESCUED ANIMALS!

She is personally in financial trouble from spending all of her own money on the hundreds (probably thousands) of animals she's rescued. She should have filed for non-profit status long ago. She has been personally funding her no-kill sanctuary.

We think that all veterinarians must have big bucks, right? And attorneys? Why, of course...

Last night, when I was trying to fall asleep, trying to stop thinking about all of the animals lined up who I needed to help "tomorrow"... I began thinking about how the people I most admire in this life always seem to be hurting for money.

They are somehow driven to make a difference and are not only compassionate enough but also intelligent enough to know just exactly how to do that... focusing their efforts on stopping the madness regardless of the monetary pay-off. And yet money is a necessary part of this life, isn't it...

I guess the moral of this story is that being a good guy isn't easy. Money and glitz has a powerful pull but aside from that, we all have to eat. Where does one who is so motivated to make a difference draw the line?

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “A little integrity is better than any career”.

He also said, “Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.”

That's what I admire most in these special individuals... their courage.

Dr. Hirt is trying to figure out a way she can afford to convert part of her outbuilding into a cat shelter for Donna's cats. There is already a cement slap as big as a two car garage, she said. What she needs is insulation, wall board, ramps, propane heat, windows, etc. and then all of Donna's cats will be safe.

Every time I have gone to Dr. Hirt's place I am moved to tears that someone would undertake so much, that she would do so much to stop the suffering for all of the animals who reside there.

Does anyone have a way
to contact Ellen or Oprah?
Dr. Hirt would be a good candidate
for help from a national level.

In the meantime...
anyone wishing to donate to

can do so in one of the following ways...

1.
ANOTHER CHANCE SANCTUARY PAYPAL LINK...
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZGY32JTAUQEV4

2.
OR SNAIL MAIL TO:
Another Chance Sanctuary
3320 C.R. 175
Clyde, OH 43410

Thank you!

Barbara McGrady
Society for the Protection of Animals

The Butcher of Licking County Strikes Again

2010-06-14T16:41:00.003-04:00

This is a note I received from a fellow rescuer:

Dear All,

Jon Luzio, aptly named the Butcher of Licking County, for happily dragging puppies, kittens, dogs and cats that whimpered for their lives to a gas chamber, resigned effective on September 2010. (Let's just say that Mr. Luzio considered his options limited, given his reputation for killing animals that were slated for rescue and adoption and the public outrage that followed.)

Out of pure spite and sadism, Luzio has evidently gone on a killing spree, until he leaves in September of 2010.

My suggestion: lets all email the Licking County Commissioners and demand his resignation effective TODAY. Luzio is incompetent, period. There is no further need for his employment.

Worse, there were dogs that had been adopted that Luzio killed, in his own words, "because he can".

Please see below and rain emails on the Licking County Commissioners demanding Luzio's termination of employment as of June 14th, 2010. Please email them as soon as you receive this communication.

The fact that Luzio is killing animals that had already been adopted is just insane!

Licking County Commissioners

Tim Bubb - tbubb@lcounty.com (at lcounty.com)

Doug Smith - dsmith@lcounty.com (at lcounty.com)

Brad Feightner - bfeightner@lcounty.com (at lcounty.com)

Thank you.

Previous post:
http://mypetrescueblog.blogspot.com/2010/02/licking-county-dog-pound.html

Stop Animal Abuse at Conklin Dairy Farms Ohio

2010-05-27T08:35:00.002-04:00

Graphic video secretly taped by Mercy for Animals shows workers at the federally-subsidized farm holding down newborn calves and stomping on their heads. It shows one worker wiring a cow's nose to a metal bar near the ground and repeatedly beating it with another bar while it bleeds.

Please sign the following petition to stop the animal abuse at Conklin Dairy Farms:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/250/Stop-Animal-Abuse-at-Conklin-Dairy-Farms-Ohio

National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day

2010-05-03T16:58:00.001-04:00

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Citizen Corps has declared May 8, 2010, National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day.

The declaration is meant to raise awareness about the importance of planning for pets' safety before disaster strikes.

Citizen Corps is asking veterinarians and kennels to provide pet owners with tips on creating emergency plans for their companion animals. Additionally, the corps recommends partnering with a local pet store to hold an event offering pet disaster kit shopping lists and giveaways, such as identification tags.

"Preparedness is peace of mind, and including our animals in preparedness plans before an emergency or disaster is the best way to ensure the safety of people and their pets," said Dr. Heather Case, AVMA Scientific Activities Division director.

"Citizen Corps National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day is the perfect time for veterinarians to encourage their clients to develop appropriate animal evacuation plans and kits," Dr. Case said.

The AVMA offers an array of disaster preparedness resources, including "Saving the Whole Family," a client brochure on ways of providing for pets during an emergency. The brochure and other disaster planning resources are available in the Animal Health section of the AVMA's Web site at www.avma.org.

US Stamps for Shelters

2010-05-03T16:01:00.005-04:00

Starting April 30, 2010, the U.S. Postal Service is selling stamps featuring pets that were adopted from shelters. Sales of these stamps help buy food for shelter pets. What a great idea!

Order yours today at www.stampstotherescue.com or get them at your local U.S. post office.

Sample of the Animal Shelter Stamps

STOP THE HOWLOCAUST - Licking County Dog Pound Rally

2010-03-30T09:40:00.005-04:00

STOP THE HOWLOCAUST

SATURDAY, APRIL 10th from 10AM to 2PM
at Licking County DOG POUND
544 Dog Leg Road Heath, OH 43056

Where: Heath, Ohio 36 miles east of Columbus (Central location to be announced soon!!)

Out of Town Supporters:
Please RSVP if you’d like us to supply you with a sign getridofthegaschamber@gmail.com

Questions? Send to getridofthegaschamber@gmail.com

Media Inquiries: SLMYERS1080@gmail.com or 740-973-3060

More Info?: www.lickingcountypac.com & FaceBook Page
Get-Rid-of-the-Gas-Chamber-at-the-Licking-County-Animal-Shelter

Community Meeting: Wednesday, April 14th starting at 6:30 pm in the Heath High School Cafeteria.

Trumbull County OH: where BSL victims went to die

2010-03-30T09:32:00.002-04:00

From BAD RAP Blog:

Imagine you're forced to consider giving up your family pet because BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) has made it virtually impossible to find insurance for your dog's targeted breed? And you're getting friggin' desperate. And you know that your local shelter is a dead-end - emphasis on dead - because, who in their right mind wants to adopt a dog with overwhelming state restrictions attached? And rescues are beyond full with dogs they can't place? And you're thinking, "Good god - How can I possibly put my beloved to sleep?"

And you learn about a sanctuary that takes pit bulls. A no-kill sanctuary with a warm and inviting website for your family pet; the wonderful dog that's been your steady and loyal companion for months or years. Would you take him there rather than euthanize him? Oh hell yeah, you would.

You and me, and many, many other people. When we learned that a sanctuary in Trumbull County Ohio had been raided for overcrowding and horrid conditions, it almost didn't land on our radar. But I grazed the seizure photos at the urging of a friend and nearly fell over.

Read the entire article at:
http://badrap-blog.blogspot.com/2010/03/trumbull-county-oh-where-bsl-victims.html

Best Buddies

2010-03-16T10:25:00.001-04:00

This is just too precious not to share!

Beluga Whales in Danger

2010-02-28T14:22:00.003-05:00

Petition from the NRDC:

Industry giants are pressuring the Obama Administration to abandon endangered beluga whales in Cook Inlet, Alaska. We need your urgent action to help protect these rare whales from extinction.

Please tell the National Marine Fisheries Service to finalize its proposal to designate an area of more than 3,000 square miles as critical habitat for Cook Inlet beluga whales.

Cook Inlet belugas live in one of the most populated and industrialized regions in Alaska. Their health and habitat is continuously threatened by the devastating effects of development and pollution.

In fact, this genetically distinct population of beluga whales has plummeted in number from 1,300 in the 1980s to fewer than 400 today.

Following years of advocacy by NRDC and others, the National Marine Fisheries Service proposed designated critical habitat for Cook Inlet beluga whales under the Endangered Species Act this past December.

Without these habitat protections, which are backed by decades of scientific research and data, Cook Inlet beluga whales could be wiped out forever.
Yet powerful industries are falsely claiming that designating critical habitat will hurt local development.

In truth, this designation simply helps ensure that new development projects will move forward with safeguards necessary to protect belugas and their habitat.

Please make your voice heard right now.

In Loving Memory of Daddy the Pit Bull

2010-02-22T10:28:00.004-05:00

Cesar Millan, all his family and friends, his staff and volunteers, and dog lovers all around the world today will mourn the passing of one of the most loyal, trusting, well-balanced, and influential pit bull ambassadors the world has ever known. Daddy, Cesar’s longtime friend and partner in canine rehabilitation, died peacefully surrounded by family on Friday the 19th of February. He was sixteen years old.

See Daddy's Memorial Page on the Cesar Millan website.

We have lost one of the greatest ambassadors for the Pit Bull breed our country has ever known.

"Daddy" was the finest example of what a Pit Bull truly is.

How sad that our news media and law enforcement only seems to focus on the negatives with this breed and continue to label them as "vicious killers" -- and insist upon trying to ban them from society.

To me, it certainly doesn't take the brains of a rocket scientist to figure out that any time you have a vicious dog, no matter what breed, an irresponsible "human" is to blame.

We have a decorated War Hero, Sgt. Stubbs, and a movie star, Petey, from the Little Rascals -- both were Pit Bulls -- as well as countless others who have performed services to their communities, including saving human lives.

Even some of Michael Vick's dogs have gone on to become therapy dogs in hospitals and nursing homes. However, none of these dogs made the front page of our local newspapers or the feature story on the evening news. It's always the unfortunate Pit Bull who fell into the wrong "human" hands that make headlines. How unfair to this breed to be so "one-sided."

Cesar Milan's "Daddy" showed the entire world what a true loving disposition these dogs have as well as the achievements they have accomplished.

Our hearts and prayers go out to Cesar and his family for the loss of their beloved Daddy.

Little Junior will have some mighty "Big Paws" to fill, but I'm sure he's up to the challenge and will soon become our next Ambassador for the Breed.

Licking County Dog Pound

2010-02-11T12:41:00.006-05:00

WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO!

I find it somewhat hard to write a comment on this video as I usually try to post the brighter side of companion animals and what an important role they play in our lives. They are truly one of God's amazing creations. They entertain us, they protect us, but most importantly... they love us unconditionally, and stay steadfast and true till the very end. Now, just how many of you can say that about a friend or even a spouse?

With that being said, let me try to address the importance of this graphic video.

First of all, I couldn't even watch it all the way through as I felt myself getting sick. Being a rescuer for many years, I fully understand that this horrible means of euthanasia still exists in many areas of our country. Some pounds still use heart stick, which is nothing more than jamming a needle, hooked up to electricity, into the animal's heart and turning on the "juice". These animals have no form of sedation and are basically tortured to death. Gas chambers aren't any better. Tragically, there are still some states within our country that do not have licensing for "humane euthanasia" by injection, which I find unbelievable in the year "2010". However, OHIO does, indeed, have this licensing but, unfortunately, we still have county pounds here that refuse to move into the 21st century by continuing this barbaric means for disposal of the pet overpopulation problem. Even sadder is the fact that these "good 'ole boys" seem to enjoy the horrific death they inflict upon these poor discarded animals.

Hooray for Bonnie Mansfield (see article links below) and her efforts to bring this problem in Licking County to light. However, it just isn't Licking County. There are many other counties, within Ohio, that refuse to evolve out of the "Dark Ages" as well.

Now, yes, I do understand that "euthanasia" is still needed because people just can't seem to grasp the concept of "SPAY OR NEUTER" your pets, along with the "back yard breeders" and puppy mills... and until they do, we will continue to have this overwhelming problem of too many animals with nowhere to go.

However, if these animals need to die, there is absolutely no reason why they should have to suffer the cruelty of gas chambers (or heart stick) at the hands of people like Jon Luzio.

Shame on the residents of Licking County for giving this "good 'ole boy" a salary of over $47,000 a year to continue gassing poor animals when lethal injection is available. Perhaps if the good citizens of this county voted for a "decrease" in his salary, Licking County could afford the Sodium Pentobarbital needed for a more humane practice of euthanasia.

Please remember that "YOU" are part of the problem unless "YOU" take action. If your state or county still uses unacceptable forms of euthanasia, STAND UP AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD. This is the 21st Century. If we can put men into space... then there is no reason any animal should have to suffer the tortures of being gassed or electrocuted.

I think this quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. says it all:

"Never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way."

Writer challenges 'Watchdog'
Letter to the Editor - Buckeye Lake Beacon
January 30, 2010

Watchdog responds to critic
Letter to the Editor - Buckeye Lake Beacon
February 6, 2010

Watchdog says director, gas chamber need to go
Letter to the Editor - Buckeye Lake Beacon
February 20, 2010

Genuine Tolerance

2010-02-06T14:41:00.001-05:00

This is what GENUINE TOLERANCE looks like...

Remembering Allie

2010-01-26T12:31:00.004-05:00

On the morning of Sunday, January 24, 2010, two men suspected of at least six home invasions on the east side of Columbus came to Allie's house to attempt yet another one.

When the men approached the door, Allie started barking.

One of the men fired 3 shots through the door, killing Allie.

But Allie's barking woke the only person in the house, who was able to get a look at the men and also get away, unharmed.

Later that evening the two men were arrested with not only the items they took that night, but items from other home invasions they committed.

Allie did exactly what she was supposed to do, protect her home under any circumstances. Her unselfish actions are directly responsible for the person in the house getting away un-harmed.

On the Monday after this tragedy, Allie's family contacted HSDC, writing:

"Please help us memorialize Allie by donating a small gift in her name to the Humane Society of Delaware County. Lets take something bad and do something good!!"

To make a donation in Allie's memory, please visit:
http://www.hsdcohio.org/

Lion, Tiger and Bear - an Unlikely Trio

2010-01-26T12:02:00.005-05:00

They make an unlikely trio, but Baloo the bear, Leo the lion and Shere Khan the tiger have forged an unusually strong bond.

Considering that they would be mortal enemies if they ever were to meet in the wild, it is stunning to see their unique and genuine friendship in these intimate pictures. Rescued eight years ago during a police drugs raid in Atlanta, Georgia, the three friends were only cubs at the time at barely two months old.

Jungle japes: Shere Khan the tiger, Leo the lion and Baloo the bear all live together in a specially-built enclosure at Noah's Ark Animal Rescue Centre, in Georgia, USA

They had been kept as status symbol pets by the drug barons.

Delivered to the Noah's Ark Animal Rescue Centre in Locust Grove, Georgia, the decision was made to keep the youngsters together, because of their budding rapport.

'We could have separated them, but since they came as a kind of family, the zoo decided to keep them together,' said Diane Smith, assistant director of Noah's Ark.

'To our knowledge, this is the only place where you'll find this combination of animals together.'

Living with the zoo's founders for the past eight years, Shere Khan, Baloo and Leo have now moved to a purpose-built habitat were the US public can now witness first hand their touching relationships.

Best friends: The three beasts have been kept together since they were rescued from drug barons when they were just two months old

'We didn't have the money to move them at first,' said Diane.

'Now their habitat is sorted and they have been moved away from the children's zoo areas where the public couldn't really get a good look.

'It is possible to see Baloo, who is a 1000 lb bear, Shere Khan, a 350 lb tiger and Leo, who is also 350 lbs, messing around like brothers.

'They are totally oblivious to the fact that in any other circumstance they would not be friends.'

Handled by Charles and Jama Hedgecoth, the zoo's owners and founders, the three friendly giants appear to have have no comprehension of their animal differences.

'Baloo and Shere Khan are very close,' says Diane.

'That is because they rise early, and as Leo is a lion, he likes to spend most of the day sleeping.

'It is wonderful and magical to see a giant American Black Bear put his arm around a Bengal and then to see the tiger nuzzle up to the bear like a domestic cat.

'When Leo wakes up the three of them mess around for most of the day before they settle down to some food.'

Larking about: Noah's Ark owner Charles Hedgecoth enjoys a visit with Baloo and Shere Khan

Surprisingly for three apex predators with the power to kill with a single bite or swipe of their paw, they are very relaxed around each other.

They eat, sleep and play together,' said Jama.

'As they treat each other as siblings they will lie on top of each other for heat and simply for affection.

'At the moment they are getting used to their new habitat.

'Shere Khan is being quite reticent about the move, but Baloo, the bear is very good at leading him on and making him feel comfortable and safe.'

Explaining that the three 'brothers' have always seemed to share a unique bond, Charles said: 'Noah's Ark is their home and they could not possibly be separated from each other.

'You just have to remember who you're dealing with when you are with them though. It's when you forget that these fellows are wild animals that you get yourself in trouble.'

The trio's new habitat cost an estimated $15,000 and had to be constructed carefully, in order to accommodate its occupants.

Jama said: 'The clubhouse had to be very sturdy for the guys, because they all sleep in it together.' She added: 'We had to include a creek, because the tiger and the bear both like to be in water.'

The animals treat each other as siblings and even lie on top of each other to share warmth and affection.

Hospice Fosters Offers Dogs, Cats a Peaceful Death

2010-01-20T11:23:00.003-05:00

I thought that was an awesome article. So many animals are put down prematurely in shelters and pounds when it's discovered that they have a serious illness. Even the ones who are terminal can, and often do, have a few weeks or months left with some quality of life. How wonderful that they can spend what time they have left in the loving care of a foster home instead of dying by cruel means of euthanization ... gassing, heartstick. Even if they are humanely injected, it's better for them to be in the loving arms of someone they feel safe with than dying with a total stranger, alone and abandoned.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/pets/2010-01-19-pet-talk-hospice_N.htm

Playmate of the Year

2010-01-19T10:37:00.002-05:00

The NBA has nothing on this guy!

A Doggy Summer

2010-01-06T18:34:00.000-05:00

A 3 1/2 minute smile for you!

Surfer Dog

2010-01-06T18:19:00.002-05:00

This one will make you cry, but it's such a beautiful story!

World's Loneliest Deer

2010-01-06T17:32:00.005-05:00

A person in Harrisburg, Oregon has a cat who has a special friend that visits every morning.