Looks like people in Texas have decided to take matters into their own hands when it comes to dogs causing harm or fear to humans (or other animals). Here’s how it works…
If your dog is deemed dangerous by the city council, you must use a leash at all times and mark your secure enclosure with a sign that says ‘Dangerous Dog.” Next, you must obtain a liability insurance of at least 100K…yes folks, that's 100 thousand…and then you must place an orange collar on your dog.
These steps are borderline extreme, but the really interesting item is that once these steps have been accomplished, the city council then lists your dog on a ‘Dangerous Dog Registry’ where residents can map the location of the household owning the dog.
I know these are drastic measures, but in fairness, maybe Frisco is on to something? I was personally saddened just yesterday to hear of a child in my neighboring town who was savagely mauled by two escaped pit pulls just yesterday.
Kudos to Vets in Chile who set out to rescue the animals left behind in the recent volcano eruption.
You can do your part towards being humane towards animals by setting up your own personal disaster plan to include pets.
Send us your local news stories to stories@petside.com
Californians who get caught driving with pets on their lap may be fined $35 by police. Assembly Bill 2233 presented by Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia, moved on Monday to the Senate on a 44-11 vote.
Ironically, Maze doesn’t have unanimous backing as several of his fellow Republicans, including Assemblyman Martin Garrick, received the bill with hostility. Despite the Republicans’ opinion, most Democrats agree with Maze and are planning to put the measure on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk.
Schwarzenegger already signed a driver-distraction bill that, beginning July 1, forbids drivers to talk on cell phones without a hands-free device, so this would probably make a solid addendum.
Maze said he thought of introducing the bill when he saw a woman driving with no less than three dogs on her lap. Well it IS Hollywood, dahling!
The Department of Motor Vehicles of California has already suggested that motorists use pet carriers secured in a vehicle, but the new bill allows motorists to figure for themselves which method they should use to secure their pets in the car.
We suggest you consider using these jazzy carriers from our friends at Jeep Pet Products.
I know this isn’t ‘funny,’ but how in the heck can two people be on the run with 100 dogs? The news report out of Australia describes the Highams, found guilty last week of animal abuse, as having absconded with 100 dogs in a trailer. Police are asking for help? Come on now, surely they have to make a pee stop somewhere? My heart goes out for these helpless, four-footed victims.
Petside Items: Air travel for pets; to spay or not to spay?
Gardeners beware! If your dog is anything like mine, going outdoors is a heavenly treat. Seems like spring brings about all sorts of good sniffs and songbirds that delight the whiskers on my pet. I've noticed he does an extra amount of ground sniffing -- must be all the new seeds sprouting? But I learned today of some dangers lurking in the weeds.
It's called Hogweed, and silly us humans - back in the 1900s we thought it to be pretty and ornamental.
It wasn't until AFTER it had been shipped in to America, planted and growing like wildfire, that we discovered it causes life-scarring and painful blisters on contact with skin.
I spoke with the Science Policy Director of the Weed Science Society of America (yes, who knew), who recommended that pet owners take the same precautions as they would for poison Ivy.
"Our pets are slightly more protected against hogweed than humans, because of their fur," said Lee Van Wychen, " but a pet with a bare spot, an open wound or very short-hair may be just as susceptible to brushing up against the foliage and getting blisters."
Traveling may be wonderful for humans, but for pets, riding in the cargo section of the plane leaves a lot to be desired.
The folks at Air Canada are trying to [be made to] understand that the way to attract more travelers is to make the ride more comfortable for dogs and cats.
I'd like to give credit to Air Canada for upgrading the status of pets under 70lbs to carry-on luggage, but they only did so as a result of law imposed by the Canadian Transportation Agency. I suppose we should be grateful that the situation changed 'by any means necessary,' but I'm not exactly sure why Air Canada management feels compelled to opt for an appeal?.
Air Canada may have a challenge ahead in fighting this one. According to a report issued by The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Canada's neighbors (Americans), spent more than $41 billion last year on their pets, and I bet that includes travel carrier bags.
On the West Coast, there's a brouhaha over the neuter/spay laws. Bob Barker, the long-time host of the television game show "The Price Is Right," recently spoke out against Concerned Dog Owners of California (CDOC), a non-profit group formed to support responsible dog ownership.
Speaking of a ruling Barker stated, "A group calling itself Concerned Dog Owners of California has been created for the express purpose of trying to defeat California assemblyman Lloyd Levine in this campaign [to mandate spaying and neutering]. The CDC maintains they are in fact animal rights supporters and believe in responsible pet ownership.
Send us your local pet news at stories@petside.com
Hooray Jeter...we must first give credit where it's due today to the heroic deeds of a cat in Connecticut who pounced on his sleeping owner until he woke up and escaped from a blazing apartment building.
Although Jeter escaped himself, he and many other pets forced to flee the building have had to fend for themselves.
There's an interesting twist here, because earlier this week, traps used to catch wild animals in Montana were criticized for the inadvertent danger they pose to wandering pets.
The weekend is for family time, no matter what the makeup of your household. And since 62% Americans consider their pets a part of their family, Ikea - the world's favorite home store - has made a clever tie in to home and pets. In celebration of National Pet Week (May 4-10), IKEA’s has released some online video shorts and this one titled "Best Friends" caught my eye. It's a glimpse into the keyhole of Jody Applebaum’s life with her two “best friends” and “home-mates” – award-winning West Highland Terriers Frasier and Niles. Jody cares for her pets like any loving friend – even providing affection by kissing them on the lips!
On the other side of the world, preparations for the Beijing Olympics are heating up. Strays are a big problem, but news today says that the city is on a massive rabies sweep. It's also reported that the government is offering monetary incentives to pet owners for sterilization of their cats and dogs.
It may be rainy, but don't forget that spring is here. Enjoy the weekend and have some fun with your pet!
Accthooo! Does that sound familiar? There are pros and cons to the beauty of Spring -- or pollinating season as it's known to botanists. Yes, the grass, the trees, the cherry blossoms...you name it...Mother Nature is having a jam down party right now.
If you're dependent on pill-popping like me, Zyrtec is the new Claritin, which was the new Allegra. But if you believe in a more natural approach to fighting allergies, a new study our of Europe suggests you ...get a dog.
Interesting to me, because I was 'diagnosed' as being allergic to dogs yet seem to be able to cohabitate with my very long-haired Sheltie without so much as a sniffle.
So I think I might buy into this theory that by living around something you may be mildly allergic to on a daily basis, you actually build up a sort of immunity for when the big guns come around.
We all know that living in a rural area has it's pros and cons, but for our pets, Footloose Montana is educating pet owners on the perils of traps set for wild animals. Seems the traps can't distinguish between friendly four-footers and foes, so it's up to us humans to figure out how to reduce the risk for our roving dogs or cats.
Kudos out today to the Cat lady of Baghdad. Working as a security consultant by day in Iraq, Louise goes by first name only...but by night she becomes the Lady in Shining armor seeking out, rescuing and shipping off cats caught in the crossfire.
What's going on in your neck of the woods? Send your local news items to stories@petside.com
I really love the way nature takes care of nature. How about this...we've all heard about those nasty bed bugs that apparently lurk inside all of our mattresses and come out specifically at dawn to bite us.
They feed off of human blood, and they mate via a process termed "traumatic insemination"...eeyugh!
Not that I vacuum my mattress every night...I just refuse to believe they're in there. Well they are, but guess who's coming to the rescue? Bed bug sniffing dogs.
Yes! To you and I pet lovers they are commonly known as Beagles. Well, technically, Beagles aren't the only nosey dog's capable, but that's what they're using in New York hotels these days. Bed Bug sniffing dogs. Go Uno!
Ironically, in Canada, the courts recently ruled against the use of sniffer dogs in public places. I guess there aren't that many bed bugs romaing on the streets, so no worries there. Imagine, you're standing at the bus stop with your favorite brand of allergy medicines in your jeans pocket and BAM!!.. you're jumped on by a Canadian sniffer dog...
Don't know why, today is all about bugs. This science report on cats identifies a bug they all have that usually lies dormant but is linked to a form of human schizophrenia...
Trial began today for Linda Bruno, 45, accused of maltreatment of the 300 cats found sick, dying or dead in her Pittsburgh home. Despite the accusations, the woman says that all of her cats were healthy...
Wow! I know I vaguely heard something going on about cloning going on some time back, and we recently did an in depth article about it on petside.com, but...did you believe it would go this far? I guess it was selective memory on my part, but I still felt a sense of disbelief when I saw today's headlines.
Seven cloned puppies named Toppy - a clever amalgamation of Tomorrow’s puppy - were born in late 2007 to three surrogate mothers under a state-funded project in Korea. Today, the Korean customs service has unveiled the group of seven cloned Labrador Retrievers that are being trained to sniff out explosives and drugs at ports and airports.
I'm not sure what's next. Back in January, human embryo was cloned in an experiment to advance research aimed at creating replacement tissue that is genetically matched to individual patients.
I mean, I do love my Sheltie, but I think part of the fun for me is that he is NOT exactly the same as my last dog, a shepherd collie mix. To each his own.
As for cat tales this week, the word is if you're thinking about traveling with your pet, don't go to Switzerland. This land of peace, harmony and great milk chocolate, is also the last country in Western Europe in which it is still legal for cats to be hunted for their fur. The fur is used to make coats, jackets and bed blankets, reputed there to be highly effective in combating rheumatism.
Fortunately, cat lovers might consider destination Tokyo where the cafe Neko JaLaLa is a popular hang out for stressed out business people who enjoy a cat break. Neko is the Japanese word for cat, and these felines are considered staff employees who enjoy their job of being stroked, petted and cuddled from the cafe customers. Now that's what I call serenity.
Let us know your local news stories at stories@petside.com
Depending on where you live, Spring means something different to people all over the globe. But no matter what your climate or geographic region, it’s generally agreed on that it’s a season for new birth and fresh air...or, well how fresh exactly is it? Mosquito repellents, BBQ smoke and pollen mixed with pollution, all add to breathing difficulties...even for your pet.
Over at petside.com we’ve got a unique take on Green Week and celebrating Spring with your pet. There are some happy thoughts that come to mind, like bunnies and robin’s eggs…there’s nothing my Sheltie loves more than sniffing around in a field of daffodils. Check out some pet-friendly ideas for enjoying spring with your pet at http://www.petside.com/news/spring-has-sprung-now-go-have-some-fun.html
If you’re considering a romp through a state park or forest, remember the leash is your friend -- check local laws for maximizing safety for you and your pet. I had the chance to test a cool leash from the Planet Dog http://www.planetdogfoundation.org where they go out of their way to manufacture earth-friendly products.
But remember, there are also hidden dangers lurking out there at this time of year. This earth-friendly product from EcoSMART caught my attention. I’m happy to report the child and pet-friendly Flying Insect Killer formula kills and controls flies, gnats, mosquitoes, moths, wasps…all by using natural repellent oils and essences.
While we humans are busy scratching our eyes from allergies, fleas are the main itch contender for your pets, and quite a few manufacturers have introduced non-toxic flea control. You can do your own part for Green Week by introducing your pet to your vacuum cleaner. It contains no chemicals, and works like a charm to fend off those itchy pests. I can’t say my Sheltie, Maxi, loves the experience, but if you suction as close to the skin as possible, it reduces the stress for your animal. Sometimes I think I can see him laughing from the tickles!
Unlike the lice recently running rampant around my daughter’s school, fleas LOVE dirt. So do your pets a favor by using your preferred chemical-free shampoo and give them an extra wash while drowning a few fleas at the same time.
I still can’t say enough about the difference in organic and natural pet foods. If you don’t want to switch from your favorite brand, at least check the labels and look for those with less filler ingredients. Trust me, what goes in does come out, and I’m pleased to report that less poop = more nutrients…it’s a win-win situation!
Everyday Pets also has two fantastic products that are excellent to use during the summer months especially for families who take their dogs’ with them on their family vacations. Relieve De Stress is an all-natural aid used to ease stress and anxiety caused by anything from traveling to thunderstorms to 4th of July fireworks and more. The Ease the Quease formula relieves motion sickness that may be associated with traveling whether it is on a plane, in a car, RV or on a train.
Leaving you with our petside.com checklist of Pet Poisons in your home. I bet you’ll find a few things you can remove for Green Week…and every week.
There's no better time than Spring to go cruising with your dog or cat around town, pick up an ice-cream, cruise the boulevard, drop clothes off at the dry cleaner, stop for a latte...?
Sounds good, but if you live in the LA area you'd better make sure your pet is snug and secure in his or her's OWN seat and not your lap. Along with putting on your lipstick and talking on cell phones, Assembly Bill 2233 proposed by Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia prohibits pets on the driver's lap. So strap up, or be prepared to pay up!
Hey, it looks like a squeaky wheel may start to get some oil. I caught this item coming again from the West Coast where some people are actually taking some action about the pets and home foreclosure crisis.
More old news that won't go away...the sad story of a young boy shot in the face by a stray bullet was heightened at the discovery in this home of a number of dogs clearly being prepped for illegal fighting.
And it looks like while Oprah lives and broadcasts her mega-million talk show from Chicago, viewers in that region weren't paying much attention to her recent special on Puppy Mills.
Sadly, a hoard of 49 were rescued with an adoption fate to be determined.
Send us your local news stories at stories@petside.com
At petside we value the idea of having an emergency plan for your pet, even going as far as having your own pet first aid kit.
So often, in a state of panic, we are forced to run for safety and overlook the needs of our beloved pets. An emergency pet first aid kit is really a simple thing to add to your home -- preferably by the nearest exit. It also makes a thoughtful gift to give to someone who is a petowner.
Little Sookee in Scotland was saved from smoke inhalation when rescue crews donned a child's oxygen mask on her little nose! Simple, effective, and by the look of little Sookee...well worth it.
I hope you are all doing your best to save the earth. In my opinion, Americans are getting a bum rap. Seems to me we're doing a lot MORE about recycling and emissions than other parts of the world...at least the places I'm traveling. It's no secret that cruise ships are taking their toll on the ocean's carpet, but I was pretty shocked this weekend to see thick, black smoke emitting from cars and buses, and the words 'recycling' might as well be written in Japanese. So keep it up...whatever small piece you are doing to go green.
Write in and tell us how you're going green with your pet at stories@petside.com
The US mortgage crisis reaps yet another pet-related, foreclosure tragedy. This one is really sad, as I have visited this seaside town of Barnegat...it's an old-school charmer with ordinary people, living near a major city and watching gentrification take over the beachfront properties. On top of that, according to reports, the last known residence of this house was a police dispatcher...serving his community, as with a reputaion as being an animal lover. Perhaps there are more circumstances to be revealed, but on face value, foreclosure took a very, very hard hit on this family and their pets.
There are more stories of strays and the controversies of people and how to manage stays...in all the news at the moment. Personally, I'm getting an entirely different view of dog and cat ownership as I am visiting a region in a warm climate where pets are not entertained indoors. Those I have seen appear to be content enough -- I'll strike that up to ignorance is bliss and to each their own. I was concerned about a darling terrier puppy, walking the sides of a very busy road.
I tried not to impose a tourist's instinct...stop the car, jump out, and let's rescue this pup...but while he didn't look wanting for food, the dangers of the roadway at his small size...not good.
I'm confident laws of nature will prevail. Write in about strays in YOUR neighborhood at stories@petside.com
The more I hear about animal abuse, I wonder what drives a person to justify such harm? For me, the primary issue is that pets DO have feelings, after all, isn’t that why they can help so much with ours? This all came to mind because I’m about to leave for a few days R&R, which means it’s off to the dog boarder for Maxi.
We were referred by a good friend to ‘Suzanne,’ who has turned her love of dogs into a business. Some months are slower than others, but for an ‘only’ pet like Maxi, the idea of spending a few days in a fenced in yard with a pack of friendly canines…um, well, actually, we now feel more guilty to bring him back home than we do to drop him off.
Most stories are built on the basic boy meets girl theory, and Maxi’s is no different. From the minute Suzanne’s dog Roxie, set eyes on our Max…it was love at first sight.
They go through a greeting ritual that involves a wrestling match, nips on the neck and the good old chase up and down the run. Not to be confused with shy, Roxie, an English Springer Spaniel, is usually the chaser. Other laughable matters include the fact that although she stands at least three times larger than Maxi…neither seem to care. And as for any roving eyes,
Roxie makes it clear to all other visiting dogs that he is all hers! Once she even jumped on me and blocked me from coming in to take him home!
So, all I am saying…having witnessed the true friendship that these two dogs have built, it is impossible to argue that there are no ‘feelings’ attached, and how grateful am I to Suzanne for her nurturing environment).
Shame on you who choose to overlook them, and if anyone has information on this abuser in NJ, please do what you can to aid authorities.
I’ll be checking out the traveling dogs at the airport, and reporting back with any news. Meanwhile, send in your dog-meets-dog love stories at stories@petside.com
While businesses that rent dogs may be well intentioned, they’re unlikely to benefit the overall welfare of pets, and may actually do harm to the individual dogs they rent. So says the New York Times, and what do you think?
Quoting again from the Times, a dog is a lifetime friend and companion — not a two-hour rental. Dogs form attachments to their families and thrive on consistency. Frequent and abrupt changes in location, routine, discipline and attention are confusing and stressful. Moving them from person to person, home to home, can induce problems such as anxiety and depression.
Well I don't know the answer, but my BFD Maxi is looking pretty sullen about the prospect that I am leaving him for the day to go away to work. Amazing that he even knows how to position his chin between his paws to emphasize the word 'pitiful.'
Although daffodils are poking through and the sun is shining more on the East Coast, the same cannot be said about the economy. Traders are still suffering depression while mortgage borrowers are living in a constant state of one step from foreclosure. Pet owners in financial trouble should check with local shelters or rescue groups for information about temporary assistance as some can provide food for the short term or provide lists of lower-cost veterinary care. This report today reiterates the problem of abandoned animals arriving in droves to shelters. What happens to pets when the bank – God forbid - comes knocking at the door?
Updates on the Kingfisher plane in Bangalore, India, say that there is a rampant problem in that area of stray dogs running through airports.
And while it’s not the same scenario, folks in the US can better prevent their pets from becoming strays with microchipping.
No matter how intelligent we think of our pets, if they should get loose or wander off, they are subject to a host of temptations and distractions – notwithstanding theft – that could be circumvented by a good old chip behind the ear.
If you happen to be in the New Hampshire area this weekend, cat lovers ---stop by the Touch of Class Cat Fanciers Show on Saturday, April 5, at the Radisson Hotel in Nashua.
Send us your local news stories at stories@petside.com
Petside Items: Snowmachines, sled dogs and pit bull rescuers!
Iditarod 2008 may be over, but news about it - good or bad - is still making headlines. The good news is that the veterinarian treating '08 champion Lance Mackey's sled dog Zorro, says he will make a full recovery from injuries suffered when he was hit by a snowmobile.
The not-so-good news is that Zorro will likely never race again after being accidentally hit somewhere around Nome, Alaska on the race route.
I'm struggling with the question today of how someone gets to own 61 cats? We've talked about hoarding and boarding for ages, but I'm still perplexed as to how one home can accommodate such quantities. On top of that, this news item takes it one step further with the discovery of a woman who stuck 41 dead cats in a freezer in the hopes of preventing the remaining 20 from falling ill.
Shame on you today... Delta Airlines...raising the price of fares for traveling with a pet is not something we like to hear at petside.
Dogs and airports don’t always make the friendliest of mixes. I’ve just returned on a flight from Heathrow, UK to read the news that a loose dog on a runway in India caused a plane accident. From all accounts, the incident was quite a scene, with some passengers inventing their own methods to evacuate the plane.
Cat lovers are taking over Houston, TX this weekend with the Annual World Cat Congress conference. This event is hosted by The Cat Fanciers’ Association, and boasts judges from around the world. This conference does not hold back on the fun activities, like costuming parades and trick, but it is also an important venue for breaking news for the science world and general information about the future of purebred cats.
And let’s give a special shout out to our friends at the Petco Foundation --launching its annual Spring A Pet fundraiser to benefit animal welfare groups nationwide. Starting Sunday, March 30, PETCO stores nationwide will collect donations on behalf of local animal shelters and rescue groups. The annual campaign will last through May 4.
Millions of Oprah fans join her in mourning today with the news that her dog, Sophie, passed away. Oprah had recently published an insightful article in her magazine on the topic of losing a pet...and so did we...
Condolences to Oprah, who suffered the loss of a golden retriever just last year.
Since I'm visiting ye olde country at the moment, I am getting a renewed perspective of the origins of cliches and language -- especially English -- as we know it.
How many times have we abused the cliche 'you look like your dog just died,' and how many times, as pet owners, have we known the reality of how that cliche came about.
Seeing a pet through illness, and learning to live again after the death of a pet is far more complex than many can comprehend.
This week on petside we are featuring an article about households that choose pets over kids, but there are also families that choose to have both. An interesting report comes to us from Israel today, stating that studies on kids with pets and on kids without them show a marked difference in health. So although your vet bills may be consistent, owning a pet may actually lower your trips to the pediatrician...
Obesity is life-threatening for humans and for pets alike. I got a rude awakening when our vet recently told me that Maxi, my Sheltie, had put on a few extra pounds and that we should cut back on portions.
I learned how to check through his double-layered coat -- nature's own idea of a beach cover-up -- and check for his rib cage. The formula is pretty simple, if I can feel the ribs, he's on the right track. If the ribs feel fleshy and plump, it's time to break out the Doggy SLIMFAST...hmmm, the similarities between human and pet life never end do they????
Did anyone take it seriously when a stray, female dog named Laika, was tucked into Sputnik 2 on the second Soviet spacecraft to reach orbit on November 3, 1957. That's orbit, as in outer space...Was the value of pets so prominent back then?
In other words, did anyone predict that as [wo]men on the moon increased in frequency and popularity, so too would the concept of taking our pets along for the ride in space
I happen to think that the only thing worse than having pitbulls fight as a sport, is having humans fighting over fighting dogs.
Because I'm traveling this week, I'm getting an interesting perspective of news and views about pets from a global perspective. The Beijing Olympics will be soon upon us and I've noticed the foreign press is far more vocal when it comes to pointing out the differences in cultural attitudes towards dogs and cats in the host country of China. Looking forward to hearing from you on this topic. The controversies surrounding animal rights, pet status vs overpopulation. The road to the Olympics may be longer than we pet owners think!
When it comes to our pets, they can never cease to amaze us. The newest wave in blogging is, you guessed it, pet blogs. No, I don't mean blogs that are written by pet owners, pet lovers, pet enthusiasts or pet experts...I mean blogs that are written by the animals themselves.
A question for cat lovers out there...How Japanese is a Japanese Bobtail?
And how much does a Persian really know about Iran?
Not much, so says a newly released study out of the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis. According to the study, despite early global migrations, cat breeds have undergone somewhat of a genetic watering down which may be cause for a health alarm for breeders.
I'm not exactly sure how one establishes an average of 1.77 Husky deaths each race since the 1994 Iditarod,
but the death toll rose with 3 [whole] Husky deaths in the 2008 race, and animal rights groups continue to fight for the rights of these elegant dog athletes.
Hope you’ve had a great Easter weekend, and remember to keep the chocolates away from your pets!
It's ironic that as editor of a webiste for pet owners, I still have trouble keeping my pet away from chocolate. Why I thought Maxi, my Sheltie, could be trusted not to jump onto the coffe table...I don't know? Or why I thought he could ignore the sight of us -- his family -- as we shamelessly gorged oursleves on the Easter goodies....I don't know. I do know that we turned our backs for only 15 minutes, and returned to one fatter Sheltie, a mound of empty wrappers, and Mr. Inccocent licking his mouth. Please be careful, the dangers of chocolate are serious for your pet
In other news, Chihuahua lovers have come out in full force - albeit wearing out their welcome - to Rescue Agencies in Arizona
My favorite pet news item today is the new bill about to be passed allowing pets in Tuscany to visit publics places. It gives new meaning to the image of a latte followed by a spin around the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum!
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh! Or, St. Patrick’s Day Blessing On You!
Gotta kick off the day with a little Gaelic, and I figure you must be “Topped of the Morning” enough by now? We had fun preparing our article on Irish dogs and folklore, but it led to a water cooler debate that I think warrants some clarification. The big debate: Irish Setter vs Irish Wolfhound. There’s no denying that the Setter holds it’s own in the categories of regal beauty – that rich red coat is a show stopper for sure. But in my book, when it comes to a day like St. Patrick’s Day, steeped in centuries of history,
While the streets of New York are buzzing today with the St. Patrick’s Day parade, there is also the aftermath of the tragic crane falling. So far, rescue crews have been working around the clock sifting through piles of rubble in search of survivors after a towering crane at a construction site on Manhattan's East Side toppled and destroyed buildings, and killing at least four people.
Eve Charlack get’s honorable mention for her weekend efforts to rescue dogs residing in the fallen apartment building, and helping to find them foster homes.
There’s no better way to acknowledge ST. Patrick’s life of community service, than with this special honor awarded to Planet Dog, recipient of the 2008 Maine Governor's Award for Business Excellence. Along with the Planet Dog Foundation, this company is dedicated to products that make the earth friendlier.
I’ve been testing out their earth-friendly zip lead, and yes, it’s true, I’ve become a friendlier person!
It’s not new news that 752 dogs — mostly Chihuahuas — were taken Thursday from what officials called a "puppy mill" just outside of Tuscon, Arizona, but the deeper issues of this situation may never be fully unraveled.
How do you stash 800 animals in one homestead, even if they are the size of toy breeds? How is it that the homeowners have not been charged with a crime? And what about the neighbors? Was there some secret code of silence? I can’t imagine my neighbor sneaking that many animals in or out without me noticing.
And since Wanda and Billy Jones were known to advertise their pups for sale on the Internet, surely people saw ‘strangers’ driving up and pulling out with something in a bundle or a small cage?
So, when is the right time to take action? Our friends over at The Pet Blog offer some tips on what to do if you smell a rat in your neighborhood.
The local Arizona Humane Society faces huge financial challenges for the intake, care, and adoption of these new residents. Screening of the well-meaning new parents is also an arduous task.
And guess what, those stray cats I mentioned the other day in Randolph, Iowa have been given a reprieve. The city council voted to stop the $5 bounty after groups convinced them there were other options – mainly to focus on cutting down reproduction instead of roaming.
Indulge me in another ‘I told you so’ moment – as a matter of fact, elsewhere in Iowa – the pets being orphaned from foreclosures strikes again.
Like it or not, American Idol is pulling 29 million voters, which means at least 3 times that many people are watching. I will never forget watching it on TV in the UK, where they string the entire week's programs into one 4-hour show without commercial breaks....how do you spell B-O-R-I-N-G.
But with 11 contestants still bravely standing, the Simon Cowell hammer still looms for the ten that won’t make it through the end of April and they always seem to come up with an attention-grabber for all ages.
Global warming has not yet been able to fool flu season, which is still shadowing those of us prematurely shedding winter coats. But worse is the latest find from The New England Journal of Medicine that people and cats can share the dreaded MRSA.
I had a personal pet scare the other day, which makes this news item stand out for me…took my 2-year-old Sheltie to the vet for what I thought was a simple weigh-in to replenish heartworm pills. Two hours, 3 needles, and a stool sample I was pleasantly presented with a $400 bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course my little Maxi is “worth it,” but it did get me thinking about the new buzz on employers offering pet health insurance.
At 2, Maxi’s in great shape, but heck, let’s face it, he’s got gingivitis and he gets winded after a 15-minute exercise run.
Many schools of thought on the insurance issue, especially this just out from the Wall Street Journal
What do you think? Write and let us know if you've purchased pet health insurance? And if you have any news items from your town, sdn them in to us at stories@petside.com
