Dogs Versus Fireworks

 

I used to love fireworks, especially as a kid.  A lot of people still love fireworks and who can blame them.  Fireworks can be beautiful and spectacular.

But, when I hear fireworks now, I think of only one thing.  How many more dogs will be at the shelter tomorrow because their owners didn't know enough or didn't care enough to protect them from their fears?

The thing is, when there are fireworks, dogs don't need to suffer, they don't need to spend the night trembling and shaking with fear.  There are many things you can do to help your pet cope with the noise and stress of fireworks (see below).  And if all else fails, see your veterinarian.  Perhaps medication will help get your pet through the night.  And the most important thing of all is to keep your pets safe and secure, in your home.

Most city and county shelters routinely do more euthanizing before Holiday weekends (to make space for incoming dogs) and after Holiday weekends (why aren't all these dogs reclaimed?) on which there will be fireworks.  You'd be surprised how many pets still don't have ID and/or aren't microchipped (a good idea in case the collar comes off).

Dogs versus fireworks.  Dogs lose. 

Dogs and Fireworks

Dogs and Fireworks Don't Mix

Dogs and Fireworks Phobia

The Sneaky Squirrel Swirl

Sneaky Squirrel continues his progress toward becoming a normal dog.  Fewer things frighten him these days, he is less cognizant of strangers and loud noises, he is able to just live his life – most of the time.

Yet there are still occasions in which he inexplicably runs to his little blanket fort in the corner of the bathroom to disappear.  Round and round he twirls and swirls in the pile of soft blankets until there is no more Sneaky Squirrel, there is just a little lump in the corner.

I tried once to remove the pile of blankets, thinking they were no longer necessary.  I thought Sneaky Squirrel had put behind him whatever it was that was chasing him, whatever was keeping his troubled past alive.  I was wrong.  Maybe Sneaky Squirrel will always need his blanket fort, maybe he will always need his safe place.

The truth is, we all need a safe place.  Sometimes I wish I could join Squirrel in his blanket fort.

Top Ten Reasons It's More Fun to Christmas Shop for Your Pets Than For Your Family

A new Top Ten list is posted every Monday. If you have a suggestion for a
Top Ten, send it to petpurri@gmail.com. If we use your suggestion
we'll send you a prize!

1.            Your pets won’t complain if they don’t like the gifts.
2.            Pets are not label conscious (except for poodles).
3.            Pets don’t snoop in your closets.
4.            Pet clothes never go out of style (and they're not wise to
               re-gifting).
5.            The sillier the outfit, the better the Christmas photo.
6.            No need to keep up with the latest electronics (cats
               star in videos, they don't play them).
7.            You can get all your pets the same thing, and they won’t
               care.
8.            Your pets don’t care if you suck at gift wrapping (as long as
               there’s lots of tissue paper and ribbon).
9.            Pet gifts - No Assembly Required.
10.          Your pets will be happy and love you no matter
               what you get them.

And remember the shelter animals over the Holidays ~ donate toys,
sweaters and blankets to your local shelter or rescue

Twink-A-Doodle Doo!

Most mornings the first thing I see is Twink’s face, that little hodgepodge of swirling tortie colors anchored by big yellow eyes - the big yellow eyes that gaze directly into my sleepy morning eyes.

“Wake Up” Twink screams at the top of her lungs.  I would say that Twink’s voice is akin to nails on chalkboard –  if only it was that pleasant.  Twink awakens me each morning - screaming at me and staring at me.  She’s usually close to my face, staring into my eyes.  I used to think she was staring at me because she was overwhelmed with love for me.  Now I realize she's saying, “I’m hungry, get up!”

When my alarm clock of many years finally gave out on me earlier this year, it was of little consequence.  Twink has always done a better job.  Snooze control?  Smooze control.  Twink works on weekends and Holidays, year round, and is immune to power outages.

Some mornings I just want to say, "Twink-A-Doodle-Don't"

Pets as Gifts - Not Such a Gift for the Pet

A puppy under the Christmas Tree - is there anything cuter?  How about a poodle with pink bows for grandma?  While the intention may be good, truth be told the idea of giving pets as gifts is not a good one.

Many shelters now are offering ill-advised discount prices and stores that still sell animals (really?) are having "specials," so people who usually have better sense seem to think it's a good idea to give animals away as gifts.

The reality is that giving an animal as a gift is a terrible idea.  The return rate on gifted animals to shelters is very high, and worse yet is an unwanted animal destined to a life in a backyard with little or no attention, eventually cast aside along with other unwanted gifts - or left to suffer an even worse fate.

It is almost impossible to choose a pet for another person.  The "giftee" may not feel a connection with the chosen pet (or maybe the pet won't feel a connection with them).

Give a shelter gift certificate instead.  All shelters now offer them.  This way the giftee and the animal can feel the warmth and excitement of the choice.  They can start to form a real bond, not a bond forced upon them.  A bond that will last a lifetime.

And that's Wednesday's Woof.

http://www.laanimalservices.com/

http://animalcare.lacounty.gov/

Kick-back Kool Kat "Domino" Needs Rescue

Tabby Needs OUT of East Valley Shelter - Van Nuys, CA

East Valley Care & Control14409 Vanowen St, Van Nuys CA 91405
888-4LAPET1 or 888-452-7381

Domino A1263211 is a Kick-back Kool Kat!

He's a big boy, with a really big head (all the better to head-butt you!

Domino is quite the talker and has lots of interesting stories to tell...he told all to Volunteer Barbara who fell hard for him.

So hard, in fact, that she asked if I could help get him out and into a Rescue or a Home!

He loves to be petted, and will roll over for belly rubs, and gives the occasional "love bite." His current hobbies are chowing down the wet food when Barbara comes in on Sundays and feeds him and plotting ways to get out of this place!.

Domino made friends with the other cats in the cat room, especially a couple of the females!

He's been at the East Valley shelter since November 7, way too long. He needs to be out right away!!

"Something about this one touches my ." --Volunteer Barbara, 2011

If you can save this wonderful Domino, please let me know. (Bail, Transport, Donation to qualified Rescues)

thanks,

cindy

818/605-6873

The World Looks Better in a Christmas Sweater

'Tis the season when even those of us who are not "designer dog" types succumb to the special allure of the colorful, fashionable and absolutely necessary doggie Christmas Sweater. What used to be the laughable domain of the dotty dowager is now a wide open market for designer and everyday pet wear. No longer sold only in pet stores and specialty on-line retailers, pet clothing is readily available everywhere.

Colorful and glitzy, blingy and ring-a-dingy, even big dogs are wearing Christmas sweaters these days. Is there anything cuter than a little low rider sporting a snazzy, patterned sweater? Or a lab wearing a sweater with fluffy snowballs hanging all over it?

Even if you don't go for everyday doggie wear, Christmas sweaters are more fashionable and creative than ever, and getting harder to resist.  Especially with the nights getting colder, and the sweaters ever more affordable (recently $2.50 at Target!).

When our very own Sneaky Squirrel puts on a Christmas sweater, he also puts on his Big Boy Pants.  Even the small are soon walking tall.

Let's face it, most of us dig Christmas sweaters on dogs, even though we are loathe to admit it.  Dogs are adorable in Christmas sweaters.  The world looks better in Christmas sweaters. 

Check out some of the cute Christmas clothes in the links below.  And if you're not keen on putting clothes on your own dog, consider donating a sweater or two to your local shelter or rescue group. 

http://www.thepet-boutique.com/christmas_dog_clothes.htm

http://www.squidoo.com/dogchristmassweaters

 

http://www.trendypuppy.com/dog_clothes/Christmas_dog_clothes.html

http://www.baxterboo.com/search.cfm/dog-holiday-sweaters?gclid=CPS_u--6g60CFWgaQgodRFfcrQ

Top Ten Reasons Everyone Needs a Pom Pom

A new Top Ten list is posted every Monday. If you have a suggestion for a Top Ten, send it to petpurri@gmail.com. If we use your suggestion we'll send you a prize!

10.  Poms come in a variety of colors, from rusty red to basic
      black ... spotted, brindle and even tri-color.
9.   Pound for pound, Poms have more personality than any
      other dog - Paws down.
8.   Poms Poms are fabulicious and fluffilicious.
7.   Beloved by Royals, Poms are bold and spunky – and fiercely loyal.
6.   Poms come in a variety of sizes, from teacup to Jumbo
      - something for everyone.
5.   They share a nickname with a totally awesome drink.
4.   Instant membership in the very cool Pom Posse.
3.   Poms have luscious plush coats that lend themselves to a variety
      of fashionable grooming styles.
2.   Poms get cuter as they get older – who else can say that?
1.   Thanks to back yard and other breeders they are readily
      available at rescues and shelters – Rescue a Pom Pom today!

http://adopt-a-pomeranian.adoptapet.com/

http://animal.discovery.com/videos/dogs-101-pomeranian.html

  

Cats Versus Computers

Cats versus computers.  Computer loses. Doesn't matter where the computer is.  On the desk - on the kitchen table, on your lap, or next to you in bed.  Computer goes on, cat goes to work.

And by "cat goes to work," I mean, cat goes into "hyper-annoy" mode, or "HA" for short.  Each cat has their own version of HA.  For Darwin, HA means getting as close as possible to the keyboard so that, the very instant my fingers stop typing, he spreads himself like peanut butter across the keys.

Lillie-Belle is much sneakier.  She lies next to me in bed, pretending to be uninterested.  And slowly but surely, her body worms its way beneath my arm, over my stomach and ever closer to the keyboard.  I push her away and soon she is once again worming her way towards the keyboard.  Over and over again, until I finally get up and move to the couch.  Where I encounter ...

Twink.  Who in all of her Twink-torti-HA boldness just waddles over and plops herself on my lap.  My lap on which I am trying to work on my laptop.

So I have no choice.  I must teach them all to type.

Crystal, Supervisor's Favorite Chi - Needs Rescue ASAP!

Date: Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 9:26 AM
Subject: SUPERVISORS FAVORITE: CRYSTAL - ID#A1267189 female, brown and white Chihuahua 4 lbs

CRYSTAL ID#A1267189My name is Crystal and I am an unaltered female, brown and white Chihuahua - Smooth Coated.
The shelter thinks I am about 4 months old.
I weigh approximately 7 pounds.
I have been at the shelter since Nov 23, 2011. Getting over URI Very sweet lap dog or pocket :)

http://www.petharbor.com/pet.asp?uaid=LACT4.A1267189

Anna HernandezNEW HOPE COORDINATORLos Angeles Animal ServicesNorth Central Division3201 Lacy St.
Los Angeles Ca. 90031Shelter (213)485-5767 Fax (213)847-0555
Cell (213)305-4096
Business Hours Tues-Sat. 8-5
Email: Ani.newhopenc@...
www.laanimalservices.com
You can now follow NOCs' Adoptable pets on http://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Central-Shelter-City-of-Los-Angeles-Animal-Services/151616524918787 &

http://twitter.com/AnnaLAASNOC

A Bull Mastiff Goes From Bait Dog to Cuddle Buddy

"... from bait dog to cuddle buddy."  How could those words (Happy Tail:  A Bull Mastiff goes from bait dog to cuddle buddy) not grab the attention of a dog lover?  This is the story of Tank, a Bull Mastiff living a dreadful existence, a bait dog who was either "working" or chained up.  What does it tell you that the best thing that ever happened to Tank was that his owners moved away and left him?

When a local shelter took Tank in, he was 35-40-lbs. underweight.  And needless to say, the public isn't lining up to adopt beat-up Bull Mastiffs.  When Tank's time was up, he was rescued by Love Me, But Left Me Animal Rescue.  Karissa Christopher of Harrison, AR saw Tank's listing on Petfinder and immediately fell in love.

"Once home," Karissa says, "he was shy, but with time, he came around. We have had him for 10 months and he has gained 55 pounds (making his weight 155 lbs.). He loves to lie around the house, play tug of war, and swim. He is the ultimate survivor."

The shelters are full of "diamonds in the rough."  Don't pity the shelter dog.  Adopt him. 

"The Best Cuddle Buddy in the World"



Karissa's Own Words

TWO TINY CHIs WITH POSSIBLE PELVIC FRACTURE NEED RESCUE ASAP

PLEASE CONTACT KELLY AT kellyfentonrescue@gmail.com ASAP if you can help these little ones!

 2 MEDICAL URGENTS - SMALL CHI'S - POSSIBLE PELVIC FRACTURES - BOTH HAVE DONATIONS -EAST VALLEY SHELTER

**URGENT**  RESCUE NEEDED ASAP  - PLEASE CROSS-POST!!!
GENTRY - ID#A1263268 - HAS $210 IN DONATION PLEDGES SO FAR
POSSIBLE PELVIC FRACTURE
My name is Gentry and I am an unaltered female, tan Chihuahua - Smooth Coated.
The shelter thinks I am about 4 months old.
I weigh approximately 8 pounds.
I have been at the shelter since Nov 07, 2011.
East Valley Animal Care and Control Center at (888) 452-7381

East Valley EXTREMELY URGENT * Dogs, Van Nuys, CA

CHA CHI - ID#A1256313 - HAS $50 IN DONATION PLEDGES SO FAR
POSSIBLE PELVIC FRACTURE
My name is Cha chi and I am an unaltered male, black Chihuahua - Smooth Coated.
The shelter thinks I am about 2 years and 1 month old.
I weigh approximately 10 pounds.
I have been at the shelter since Oct 10, 2011.
East Valley Animal Care and Control Center at (888) 452-7381

East Valley Care & Control14409 Vanowen St, Van Nuys CA 91405
888-4LAPET1 or 888-452-7381

 

Top Ten Movies That Have Negatively Impacted Animals

A new Top Ten list is posted every Monday. If you have a suggestion for a Top Ten, send it to petpurri@gmail.com. If we use your suggestion we'll send you a prize!

1.    Jaws (1975) Responsible for the slaughter of millions of sharks.

2.    101 Dalmatians (1961) This film had a terrible effect on
       the breed, Dalmatians filled shelters for years.

3.    Legally Blonde (2001) Turned Chihuahuas into pocket pets.

4.    Cujo (1983) Ugh.

5.    Willard (2003) Killer rats.  Really?

6.    Rottweiler (2005) So why do people think rotties aren't nice?

7.    Orca (1977) See Jaws.

8.    Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008) The most euthanized dog in
       shelters doesn't need another movie (and sequel) turning it
       into a disposable fashion accessory.

9.    They Only Kill Their Masters (1972) And so began the
       "Dobermans turn on their owners" mythology

10.  All the Jaws sequels.  If Spielberg is not funding shark research

       and recovery efforts, he should.

   

Lillie-Belle - Fabulous on Friday

 

Lillie-Belle is one of those cats that doesn't take no for an answer.  And though she is the youngest of all my cats, she might be the most alpha cat I have ever known. 

Lillie-Belle is one of those cats that will follow and rub against you all day long.  And all night long.  She wants attention all the time.  Her timing is not always perfect.  She doesn't know that when one is trying to cook, or type (or sleep), it's not the best time to have a cat in your face.  But LB doesn't care.  She is right there - purring up a storm, making cookies, and rubbing against your face.

There are times when LB is exasperating. There are even times when you want to push her away to stop her incessant neediness.  And then there are times like tonight, after an especially tough day at work followed by two hours in rush hour traffic because people in LA can't drive when the wind blows, when LB gets it just right.  Having Lillie-Belle jump into my lap as I collapsed onto the couch made me forget how bad my day was.  I have a little one-eyed wonder who loves me.  And I don't care how much the wind blows.

And that is why my Lillie-Belle is Fabulous on Friday.



When Fluffy is The Cure

"Landlords have to put out the welcome mat for animals that help renters with depression or other disorders" wrote Dinah Eng in the L.A. Times.  The 2006 article is more timely than ever in the wake of record numbers of owner surrenders at animal shelters.

The Federal Fair Housing Act (1968) added disability provisions by way of amendment.  "Federal housing laws prohibit discrimination against people with physical and mental disabilities, and those certified to need an assistance animal of any kind must be allowed reasonable accommodation - even if the housing complex has a no-pets policy," wrote Eng.

Court cases involving assistance animals are becoming more commonplace, and although the court's rulings most often have been applied to condominium and apartment dwellers, the same principle applies to assisted-living facilities.

A staggering number of animals are surrendered to shelters due to "landlord" reasons.  So does your furry friend help you through your depression but your landlord wants him gone?  Get a doctor's note.  See, the 2004 "Pooky" ruling in Auburn, California in which the 3rd District Court found that the condo association had discriminated against Pooky's owners, a couple diagnosed with severe depression.  Pooky Prevailed.

Pooky Court Ruling

For more information on housing law, contact the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing at (800) 233-3212; www.dfeh.ca.gov; the Housing Rights Center of Los Angeles at (800) 477-5977 or (213) 387-8400.