Archive for the 'Dogs' Category

By now most if not all animal lovers know about the infamous Mary Bale, dubbed the “Cat Woman”.  She tossed a sweet tabby cat named Lola into a trash bin. Apparently she has now lost her job at a bank where she has worked for many years. The video below has gone viral on the internet over the incident. Leave it up to the Brits to inject some humor. There even is a fake Twitter account, @CatBinLady which has been created. And yes there is a Facebook page as well, Cat Lady should do time in a bin.

The most important message in all of this is that animal cruelty of any form is wrong and inappropriate behavior. So please be vigilant in observing such acts and immediately report it to your local rescue or shelter. PLEASE NOTE that the @CatBinLady Twitter account’s web address is the RSPCA. They along with the SPCA do incredible work to support and protect animals…..MANY THANKS!

There is a new iPhone app in town and Snoopy the well known character from Peanuts is the leader of the pack. Snoopy has teamed up with HomeAgain® Pet Recovery Service to help bring pet parents back together with their missing pets. The new free app on the Apple® iPhone and other devices like the iPad is a nationwide “HomeAgain PetRescuer” network.

According to Gary MacPhee, director and general manager of HomeAgain “if anyone sees a dog or cat on the loose in the streets and is concerned the HomeAgain PetRescuers app will make it easy for pet lovers to play an active role in helping lost pets get home quickly.”

The HomeAgain PetRescuers app is available at Apple’s App Store for use on the iPod touch, the iPad and the iPhone.

• 1 in 3 pets go missing in their lifetime and 90% never find their original homes.

Identifying Lost Pets With Microchips

How endearing is this seeing an adorable kitten pouncing on a pitbull? Cheers to the owner who is a pitbull advocate and animal rescuer! Only proves that yes, pitbulls are just as loving, gentle, sweet and caring as other dogs. It’s the owners who need discipline and training.

This dog’s got TALENT! Can your dog do this? Pretty impressive I think! I was with some friends last night for dinner. They are English, I mean Welsh. And they are very particular about their lawn. Perhaps it is an English/Welsh thing. Do we mow our lawn across or down? Maybe this talented pooch could give them some advice and lend a paw. AWOOF!

Think the cat is the winner in this duel in spite of him being surrounded by dog while in a vase. I can only think of one word….FEARLESS! Oh, and he has a lot of MOXIE too; energy, nerve, courage and spirit!

There has been much focus and deservedly so on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. But there are other communities that are being impacted by weather with hurricanes, tornados, wildfires and floods. Most recently the flooding in Nashville, Tennessee. Countless animals have been displaced being found wandering the streets, and in desperate need of homes. A spate of urgent requests for pet adoptions have been the end result.

To lessen the trauma of losing a pet and likelihood of pets seeking new homes BEFORE a DISASTER:

• Prepare. Get a pet emergency supply kit, including food, water, medicines and medical records, first aid kit, collar with ID tag, leash or harness, crate or pet carrier and sanitation items.
• Microchip: Make sure your pet is micro-chipped so that it may be easily identified. Keep registration up to date, and include emergency number of friend or relative that does not live in the immediate area.
• Plan: What will you do in an emergency? Create a plan to get away and develop a buddy system.
• Stay informed: Know about the types of emergencies.

DURING a DISASTER:

• Make sure your pet is inside well before storm begins. And do not leave a pet chained outside.
• Keep pet by your side to reassure them.
• Never tranquilize a pet. It will be inhibited from using it’s natural survival instincts.
• If you are instructed to evacuate do not leave pets behind.
• Have pet emergency kit ready to take with you.

AFTER a DISASTER:

• Re-orient dog to home by walking it on a leash. For both cats and dogs familiar scents may no longer exist.
• Be aware of downed power lines, debris and reptiles.
• Contact your local animal control office if a pet is missing to find out where lost animals can be recovered. Bring a recent picture of your pet, tattoo number or microchip number.
• Do not let your pet eat food or drink water that might have been contaminated.
• Pet behavior might change after the trauma of a disaster. Report any changes in behavior to your veterinarian.

DISASTER AFTERMATH:

• After a natural disaster, displaced people and companion animals face many dangers. There are many hazardous, life-threatening situations for helpless strays and displaced pets.
• Disorientation, panic and stress, and leads dogs and cats seeking refuge into hazardous situations when there are no longer familiar landmarks or scents.
• Floodwaters contaminated with waste and bacteria can cause intestinal parasites and gastroenteritis.
• Animals trying to swim in floodwaters can quickly become exhausted and drown.
• Displaced dogs and cats are frightened, lost, thirsty and very hungry and do not understand that they should steer clear of standing water and any food they may find.

Some of you folks might remember the good fortune of this dog being rescued from river earlier in the year. He was certainly fortunate but there are so many animals around the country struggling to survive after being displaced from their families. Please do take preventative measures and plan in advance for not only your safety and well being but your pets as well.

Resources:

Animal disaster plans and resources by state

American Kennel Club

ASPCA

FEMA for Kids

Humane Society

Red Cross

Sometimes one loses their faith with all the dreadful news out there today. In particular the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  I spoke with a friend last night who asked me if I had seen video of the dolphins affected by the oil spill. And I told her I just could not bare to watch anymore footage of animals and wildlife trying to survive. It just breaks your heart.

But in this video along comes a police officer who just happens to love animals, and dogs in particular. I won’t give away the ending but it is worth watching for sure. Cheers to both Officer Nick and the dog!

I went for a walk and it is very warm outside.  There were a few folks walking with their dogs. One in particular I was a bit concerned for. He didn’t have his summer cut yet and his tongue was practically hanging to the ground. Not sure how long the dog and its owners had been walking. But it was a stark reminder that one cannot be too careful when it comes to protecting your pet (cat or dog) from extreme temperatures.

The unofficial start to Summer, Memorial day is this coming weekend.  And I have already read news report of a dog dying from heat stroke after being left inside a car.

Hot Weather Tip Reminders:

• The temperature inside a car can reach 40 degrees higher than the temperature outside.
• When temperatures reach 70 degrees it is dangerous to leave an animal unattended inside a vehicle.
• Hydration: having clean fresh water always available.
• Make sure there is access to shady areas while outside.

So remember, take it easy with your pets during those warm and balmy days. I think Hopey has the right idea hitching a ride from this tortoise…

Resource:

ASPCA

Not sure that I was as mature as Ciara at 12 years old. She is certainly a role model for other kids her age and for us adults too. As with anyone who has a pet, Ciara had the good fortune to grow up with a Golden Retriever, named Dakota. When Dakota passed there was an incredible void in her life. Instead of withdrawing after losing Dakota she volunteered at a local golden retriever rescue, Rescue a Golden, of Arizona.

But Ciara’s passion for animals did not stop there. She started a non-profit charity called Pennies For Pups.

“Pennies For Pups was founded to help raise awareness, money, medication and food for sick, injured and abandoned dogs in local animal shelters and foster care.”

Through Pennies for Pups she has established:

1. Annual weekly fundraiser at her school, Desert Arroyo Middle School.
2. Annual Book Sale and Dog show
3. Annual Four-Legged Food Drive

Yikes…..all at the ripe young age of 12! She most certainly is “a voice for the “bark” less”. Think she has a lot of MOXIE too…..”energy, nerve, courage & spirit!”

PeTA has enlisted the help of “Octomom”, Nadya Suleman to help promote spay & neutering of pets to pet owners. For $5,000 and a month’s supply of veggie dogs and veggie burgers she will place the above noted ad on her front lawn in La Habra, California, at 11 a.m today.

Already the ad has garnered attention from major media outlets for free; CNN, NBC, AOL News,  E! Online, USA Today, and the New York Post. With “kitten season” now underway it seems that this current focus on “Octomom” is well deserved.

Animal Birth Control

1. Up to 8 million dogs and cats inhabit shelters annually. At least half of these animals are euthanized.
2. 25% of animals at shelters are purebreds.
3. Female dogs and cats in heat have to fend off male animals without much success.
4. Spaying and neutering is a life saver for overall health and well being of your dog or cat.
5. Spaying and neutering puppies and kittens is cost effective.
6. With so many animals in need of good homes adoption is a life saver.

Following is video of above noted PeTA ad being unveiled.  Must say listening to paparazzi is very annoying.

Source: PETA