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The Happy Wag

The jumping kitten and the silver screen dog

Remember Geronimo, the itty bitty kitty who took a big plunge off the Memorial Bridge in Radford last May? Click here to read how the orange tabby has adjusted to a grounded life with his adoptive family. It's a happy tail.

Speaking of pet tails, I did not have a chance to go see the movie "Marley and Me", but apparently millions of other people did as it was the number one box office draw over over the long holiday weekend.

I loved the book and, as most of you who love to read can attest, the movie is seldom as good as the book. I think that has more to do with the experience of reading, where you see the story in your mind, verses seeing that same story through someone else's imagination.  But I am hoping to get to the theater and see it some night this week.

In a surprising move, the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals actually gave the movie two paws up. That's surprising because PETA normally objects to amy project that involves animals for human entertainment. The group released a statement that the movie presents the right message that pets are a lifetime commitment, no matter how they behave.

(If you are not familiar with the story, Marley is a hyperactive and ill-mannered pooch that caused his family endless household turmoil, but provided his pet dad endless bad-dog fodder for his newspaper column.)

Of course, PETA also approved that, in the film version, Marley is adopted from a rescue group. Those who read the book know that the real Marley was purchased from a breeder.

If you saw the movie, post a comment. Did you love it? Hate it? Eh, not much emotion either way? Did it compare well to the book? Not even close?

The reviews have been mixed so I would love to hear what pet lovers think of it.

1 Comment »

  1. I read the book Marley and Me when Holly was just a puppy and doing alot of the things that Marley does. I laughed, I cried and thought it was the best book I had ever read! I finally saw the movie and thought it was good but as usual, no where near as good as the book. The end of course is hard to take even when you know what is going to happen. I tried to prepare myself for it but that didn't work...good thing I took tissues with me. The dogs in it are adorable of course!

    Comment by Deborah — January 20, 2009 @ 7:21 pm

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About this blog

The Happy Wag blog is a resource for pet parents in the Roanoke Valley, a local community forum of news and information about pets. Newsroom manager Nona Nelson's family includes four pets: retired racing greyhounds Dexter and Coral and former stray cats Thai and India. Read more about Nona and this blog

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Foster homes for the holidays

The Roanoke Valley SPCA is participating in the national “Foster A Lonely Pet For the Holidays” pet fostering program.

Over 13,000 pet rescue organizations nationwide are trying to empty the kennels for Christmas, encouraging families to open their home for the holidays to an adoptable pet waiting for a forever home.

Fostered pets can be picked up between December 18-23, and can be returned to the RVSPCA between December 30-January 2.

The RVSPCA will provide all needed supplies and support to the temporary families. You can view all of the pets online at www.rvspca.org, or visit the shelter to meet them.  The goal is to have each of these pets into a home by noon on December 23.

Ann Marie Sweeney, foster coordinator for the RVSPCA, will answer questions about the program for people interested in making this Christmas a happy holiday for a pet in need.  Contact Sweeney at 344-4840, ext. 208 or e-mail asweeney@rvspca.org.