Archive for the ‘News & Tips’ Category
A disappearing pet food mystery was solved when a fat cat burglar got stuck in a doggie door. The case began when an Oregon woman noticed that large portions of food were disappearing from her pets’ bowls in the garage.
Then Jadwiga Drozdek discovered a 20-pound cat wedged in the doggy door built into her garage door.
“Four months ago we recognized that the food was disappearing very quick,” Drozdek said. “We said, ‘Gosh, you know, (our pets) are always eating the same amount, so I don’t understand why.”
After Drozdek helped the cat squeeze out of the doggy door, she gave the stray some food and brought him to a Humane Society shelter.
“I heard quite a ruckus when I went into my garage,” said Drozdek, who cares for six cats. “It was hilarious to see this big cat struggling to get in.”
The Humane Society had planned to put the cat up for adoption, but a neighbor of the owner who saw the report on TV has claimed the cat and said he had been missing for six months. The neighbor was to pick up the cat on Thursday.
Source: nbc4.com
Coincidentally, tonight on David Letterman, his top ten list was:
Top Ten Signs Your Dog Is Too Fat
10.Instead of “Ruff,” he barks “Ruffles”
9. Ticks that suck his blood die from high   cholesterol
8. Strangers mistake him for a fat guy in a dog suit
7. Collar is a forty-eight inch belt from Today’s Man
6. Answers to the name “Cheney”
5. His dish is filled with Kibbles, Bits, and Lipitor
4. Dog door is larger than your front door
3. Put his head out the window and the car tipped over
2. He’s the only dog that knows how to work a deep fryer
1. Never have to say “Stay” since his fat ass never moves
A woman in Connecticut was charged last week with trying to get painkillers from a drug store by using her dog’s name. Kymberly Smith, who’s 38, faces more than two dozen charges related to her alleged repeated attempts to obtain painkillers at a pharmacy under her dog’s name.
Police said Smith is charged with using her dog Zack’s name to get Hydrocodone, which is marketed under several names including Vicodin. She was a veterinary technician for several area veterinarians when she began using their ID number to call in prescriptions for herself under the name “Zack Smith.” She surrendered to police and was released after posting bond.
Hmm.. I wonder if it would be a problem if I got a prescription for my dog, Kylie, for the new doggie fat pill, and then I took it?
It was in the news late last week that Pfizer will market Slentrol, a liquid formula, to the estimated 5 percent of U.S. dogs that are 20 percent over their ideal weight. The FDA released a statement that said the drug’s “mechanism for producing weight loss is not completely understood,” but seems to cause less fat absorption.
Kylie’s pretty trim so I’m not sure how I could get her vet to prescribe it, but I think I could really use some Slentrol!
–update 1/10/07————————-
I coincidentally just found this information today about real doggie downers and thought it was relevant:
A growing number of U.S. pets and zoo animals are overcoming anxieties and mellowing their behavior with the use of human anti-depressants, a report said.
The Los Angeles Times said over the last decade, Prozac, Buspar and Amitriptyline have been introduced into the veterinary world to treat cats for indoor spraying, dogs and birds for separation anxiety and self-destructive compulsive grooming.
Veterinarians who prescribe psychoactive drugs do not immediately pull out prescription pads. Instead, they do medical work-ups on animals to rule out physical causes for destructive or neurotic actions and prefer to use behavior modification instead of, or along with drug therapy.
Source: United Press International
Seven months after disappearing from her yard in Colorado, a little rat terrier named Daisy walked into the arms of Tracie Crass in Knoxville, some 1,300 miles away, and got an airplane ride home.
“The kindness of people gives you a reason to believe,” said Daisy’s owner Vonda Lundstrom of Aurora. “It’s the best Christmas present.”
Crass spotted 2-year-old Daisy wandering down her sidewalk on Christmas night. She assumed the 12-pound dog had slipped out of its home amid holiday festivities. So she brought the pooch on her porch and waited for its owner to come looking for it.
When no one showed up by the next day, Crass telephoned the number on Daisy’s rabies tag. She reached Lundstrom’s veterinarian, who reached Lundstrom.
A cell phone photograph of Daisy sent to Crass confirmed it was the same little dog who dug a hole under the privacy fence at Lundstrom’s home in April and disappeared.
With help from Knoxville’s Young-Williams Animal Center, Daisy flew home on Wednesday.
The reunion at Denver International Airport was memorable. “She licked me. She loved on me,” Lundstrom said. “I have my baby back, that’s for sure.”
Lundstrom has no ties to Knoxville. She assumes somebody stole Daisy, an “escape artist” who apparently got away again in Tennessee. “I’m going to do everything in my power to see that it doesn’t happen again,” Lundstrom said. She said the hole under her fence has been repaired.
Source: 9news.com
PS: Watch the video, Daisy is adorable!
As you take steps to stay healthy this cold and flu season, remember to do the same for your dogs and cats, since our furry friends can be susceptible to the same sniffles, sneezes, coughs and runny noses as humans.
Here are some tips to keep those noses wet and those tails wagging:
- Keep your pet’s vaccinations up-to-date.
- Try to limit your pet’s exposure to extreme weather.
- If your home is dry, put a humidifier in the area your pet most frequently occupies. Keep your floors as clean as possible. Remember, airborne irritants settle where pets tend to live.
- If you notice your neighbor’s animal looking a little under the weather, you may want to re-think a friendly get-together between pets. While your animals can’t get you sick, they can become infected from animals of the same species.
- And if pets exhibit unhealthy symptoms, be sure and schedule a visit to your veterinarian. In many cases, antibiotics can help your pet make a full and rapid recovery.
These simple steps should help you and your pets have a healthy and happy new year!
For dogs and other pets nationwide, 2007 promises to be a good year, ushering in new legal protections designed to keep them healthy and happy.
Starting Monday in California, tethering a dog to a stationary object for more than three hours will be illegal, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Before, animal control officers would have to stake out a tethered dog for days to prove it was being kept in inhumane conditions. Now, with a three-hour limit they will be able to intervene more quickly.
Also, leaving pets unattended in vehicles in extreme weather or without food and water will also become a crime. This gives animal enforcement officers have new authority to break into cars quickly when animals are suffering. Previously, they had to call in local police or other authorities or risk legal complications if they acted on their own.
A third new law in California, written in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, requires the state to create a plan for evacuating pets in case of a disaster.
In 2007 Ohio will become the 35th state where pet owners can establish trust funds for their pets in the event the owner dies or becomes incapacitated.
And Maine is the first nation in the country to enact a law which would protect animals in cases of domestic violence where partners are leaving abusive situations. Often there has been no penalty for destroying an animal which the law deemed as mutually owned property. The new law allows the person leaving to take the pet or come back to the residence and retrieve it.
Animal welfare advocates say they sense growing support for their issues largely due to Katrina when people saw graphically on tv that people were willing to risk their own lives to protect their pets. We say, it’s about time!
Some say that getting a pet for the holidays is a bad idea. But a lot depends on who is getting it. And when.
Getting a pet to give as a gift is a bad idea, especially if the pet is a surprise. That’s one thing animal experts agree on. Pets are living, feeling, intelligent creatures that are meant to be lifelong companions. They’re not toys that one outgrows or tires of and tosses aside, although they often are treated that way.
They also are not cheap, even if they’re acquired through “free to a good home” ads (which, to digress for a moment, are a dangerous way for people who care about the fate of their animals to unload unwanted pets; such giveaways can end up in research facilities, puppy mills or dog-fight training pits).
There is no such thing as a free pet. In its first year, a small dog will cost its owner $810 in care and feeding, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. A medium dog will drain $1,190 from the budget, and a large dog will eat up $1,580 in expenses.
Here are a few other first-year costs of common pets to consider, again, courtesy of the ASPCA:
— Small bird: $195
— Fish: $235
— Guinea pig: $645
— Cat: $715
— Rabbit: $911
Cheap to give? Perhaps. Not necessarily cheap to keep.
Even if the recipient can afford a gift that keeps on costing, a gift pet still is like a bad mail-order mate. Not only may it not be a good match, it may not have been wanted in the first place.
Even those who are hoping for pets as presents should not be given a terrier in a carrier to open on Christmas morning. It’s better to opt for a gift certificate or homemade coupon promising to cover the cost of the animal companion of their choice — not your choice — from a shelter, rescue group or breeder. Combine the gift certificate with a plush pet or with pet bowls and toys so there is something to unwrap. But save unwrapping a real pet until after the holiday.
Introducing a new animal amid the noise and commotion of Christmas Day puts too much stress on a pet that is already stressed by the change in environment. And as other treats and surprises vie for attention, even cute, cuddly kittens and puppies can be forgotten.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s can be a good time to welcome a new animal companion into the home, especially if family members are off from work or school and can give the pet the attention it needs.
Now can be a good time, too. There is always a plentiful selection of pets at area shelters, and some come with special price tags this time of year to increase their chances of finding a home for the holidays. If you check out this week’s Pet Calendar, you’ll notice several special pet adoption events this weekend.
Some words of caution, though: Now is not a good time to get a puppy or a kitten unless you are fully aware of what you’re getting into and are willing to take on the responsibility that comes with such a choice.
Animal babies, like human babies, need a lot of extra attention and care. They especially need attention when they’re adjusting to a new home. Curious kittens can get into trouble even without the hazards of holiday decorations. And shoe-chewing puppies that need to be house-trained require more patience than many holiday-haggard homeowners have to spare.
Also, beware of pet stores, which cater to impulse shoppers and people who want quick, easy transactions. The Humane Society of the United States cautions that many are staffed by employees who have limited knowledge about pets and pet care and who “will tell you what you want to hear” in order to move their inventory.
Kelly Iams, vice president of the Gateway American Pit Bull Terrier Club here, urges people “to avoid pet stores that sell puppy-mill dogs. Most puppy mill dogs are horribly inbred and come with a ton of health issues,” she says.
“Adopting from shelters and rescue groups saves live,” Iams says.
According to the HSUS, puppy mills “often hide behind the ‘legitimacy’ of a neighborhood pet store.” The organization also cautions that most dogs sold on the Internet come from puppy mills.
Remember that one out of four shelter dogs is a purebred. The percentage would be higher if the designer dogs, which are so popular now, were purebreds. But they aren’t. At best, they’re hybrids. At worst, they’re mixes with high price tags.
Iams says: “People in the market for a purebred dog really need to research what kind of breed they want before they buy.” Too many people get the wrong kind of dog because they didn’t do their homework first.
Iams worked at an animal shelter in the metro area for three years. She says that “within three weeks of the holidays, pets that are given as gifts start showing up at local humane societies. Shelters get more purebred dogs after Christmas than at any other time.”
That sounds like a good reason to put off getting a new animal companion until after the holidays, especially if you want a purebred pet at a bargain price. Shelter dogs come with a clean bill of health, they’re spayed or neutered, up to date on their shots, and even microchipped, Iams says.
Instead of giving or getting a pet for the holidays, perhaps it would be better to give or get a book on how to choose a pet.
Source: STLtoday.com
This is a wonderful time of year, but make sure it’s a wonderful time for your pets, as decorations, food and festivities can be a source of stress or sickness for your companion animal. Here are some tips and warnings from the American Humane Society to help you avoid potential problems for your pet.
Christmas trees
Hang breakable, glass ornaments well out of reach. The small glass and metal fastenings can be stepped on or even swallowed
by your pet.
Keep tinsel, ribbons, and garland out of reach of pets, especially cats that are intrigued by them. These can become lodged in their intestines and cause obstruction and lead to surgery or death.
Clean up pine needles frequently. They can be toxic when eaten by your pet.
Prevent your pet from drinking water in the tree stand if you have added preservative chemicals. These can be poisonous to pets. Also, stagnant water can contain bacteria, which may lead to vomiting and diarrhea if ingested.
Holiday house plants
Although they add a warm touch, many plants can harm your pets. Keep these potentially dangerous bloomers well out of reach.
Lilies can be deadly to cats, and many types can cause cats to have kidney failure. Poinsettias, although not as toxic as people often think, can upset your pet’s digestive system. Mistletoe, especially the berries, is highly toxic, can cause stomach upset, and has the potential to cause fatal heart problems. Holly can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and lethargy.
Certain types of Ivy, such as English Ivy, can also cause severe harm. Amaryllis can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Hibiscus can cause diarrhea.
Lights, candles, and fragrance
Keep lights and extension cords safely secured or covered to deter chewing, which can lead to electric shock or even electrocution. Better yet, invest in pet-proof extension cords, or spray with products such as Bitter Apple or Chew Stop.
Candles can be fragrant and enticing to pets. But they can be a fire hazard if knocked over by an exuberant pet, and the fumes can be harmful to birds.
Liquid potpourri and sachets, popular during the holidays, can be very dangerous. Exposure can cause skin or oral damage to your pet and may cause illness or death.
Food
Chocolate can affect the nervous system and cause urinary system and heart muscle damage in your pet.
Onions are toxic. They inhibit an animal’s ability to coagulate blood.
Grapes and raisins can lead to loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and acute renal failure in dogs resulting in death.
So be sure and keep holiday treats and gifts of food out from under the tree and out of reach of your pets to avoid temptation.
Source: Daily Herald
Fur-Free Friday, an annual event that takes place the Friday after Thanksgiving, aims to educate people about the horrors suffered by fur-bearing animals. Organized originally in 1986 by grassroots activists to abolish the fur trade, Fur-Free Friday has grown to be one of the most widely attended annual demonstrations of the animal rights movement. Through protests, education, and the promotion of cruelty-free fashion, LCA gives a voice to the millions of animals who suffer and die each year.
This year marks LCA‘s, Last Chance for Animals, 18th annual Fur-Free Friday, a grassroots event that brings hundreds of protesters to Beverly Hills, CA, to spread the message that people should not wear or buy fur.
The march goes through the streets of Beverly Hills visiting all the fur stores on the famous Rodeo Drive. LCA’s Animal News Van will accompany marchers and educate onlookers by playing video footage about the horrors of the fur trade.
California Residents can join LCA’s Protest, Friday, November 24th, 11am to 2pm at the Beverly Gardens Park in Beverly Hills. Or click here to find out about protests planned for your area.
This weekend in both Orland, California and Watkins Glen, New York, Farm Sanctuary’s Celebration FOR the Turkeys is a unique and compassionate alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving holiday. This special event at the farms places turkeys at the center of attention, rather than at the center of the Thanksgiving table. As part of their nationally recognized and celebrity supported Adopt-A-Turkey Project, the Celebration FOR the Turkeys was established 20 years ago and has since become the holiday event of choice for animal lovers and advocates from all over the nation.
An enjoyable day for people of all ages, the Celebration FOR the Turkeys offers plenty of activities for participants, including shelter time with the animals and special guest presentations. Guests also have the opportunity to spend time with like-minded individuals and sample delicious vegan food at a special holiday dinner. The highlight of the event, however, is the Feeding of the Turkeys Ceremony. During this delightful ceremony, guests are invited to feed our rescued turkeys their very own feast of stuffed squash, cranberries and pumpkin pie!
Most importantly, the Celebration FOR the Turkeys is an occasion for friends of farm animals to gather and appreciate the distinct personalities, behaviors and desires of turkeys. It is also a time to remember the millions of turkeys who die every year so they can be made into Thanksgiving dinner. While the Celebration provides an experience for the rescued turkeys that most others in the country are unable to enjoy, it is the hope of Farm Sanctuary that the event will help spread a message of compassion for these animals far beyond the fields of our sanctuaries.
Did you know that we do custom Pop Art for people too? If you didn’t, check out popartgo.com! We were recently asked to do a portrait of Diana, and Paula, who commissioned the portrait had a special request. She wanted Diana’s portrait to have that true, classic Warhol look, like Marilyn. To match Diana’s decor, she wanted to go with more subdued colors, rather than a neon pallet. These are the examples we were working with..
Diana, however is a red-head and Paula wasn’t sure if she wanted to make her a blonde or not so we gave her both options.
And here you can see how much detail there really is.
We love the challenge of working with specific requests and examples, so if there’s something you had in mind for your own personal masterpiece, just contact us and let us know.
(You can check out all of Diana’s proofs by clicking here.)
