I've noticed that, despite the thesis of the book I gave away this week, that the blog has been dominated by felines and their devoted fans. Cats will eventually reclaim the earth, mark my words.
Here's one last adorable photo. Meet lil bit, whose name is intentionally in lower case letters because pet mom Liz said when she adopted the kitten she was too small to handle capital letters.
Everyone have a safe holiday and a great weekend.
And we have a winner in the "Why Dogs are Better than Cats" book giveaway:
"I prefer my dogs because they at least let me pretend that I am in charge."
Comment by JA
Well said, JA. Even people who are devout kitty fans would agree with that sentiment. I will send you an e-mail in a few minutes. Reply back with your mailing address and the book will be on it's way to you.
Thanks to everyone for submitting some great comments. It was a tough choice because you are all so awesome.
Warning: This photo is too cute for words.
Reader Donna sent us this shot of her 8-week-old Jack Russell terrier puppy, Toby, trying on this pumpkin.
Guess that would make it a "pup-kin!" Ha! I love candy-corny jokes.
Have a safe and happy Halloween everyone.
Here's an update on Anna, the elderly dog whose pet parents have to move to a care facility and cannot take her with them:
Joan, Anna's pet mom, had to say goodbye to her today and left her with the good folks at Angels of Assisi. According to Lisa O'Neill at Angels, Anna was taken to her new foster home late this afternoon so she did not have to spend the night in the adoption center.
Another reader reached out to Joan via this blog and might be able to take Anna if the first foster home does not work out.
Thanks so much for all your generosity, offers of support and well-wishes folks. There are some very caring people in this Valley, and I know that firsthand from writing this blog and column.
Diane Novak, local crusader and advocate for homeless cats, contacted me late yesterday and said she needed to find a placement PRONTO for eight semi-feral-but-fixed-and-vaccinated kitties living in a home in Southwest Roanoke.
I do not have many more details than that, but if you know of anyone who would be interested in a couple of barn cat buddies, now would be a great time to move on that. To read more about the program, click here.
Diane said the situation is rather dire and she really needs to place these cats ASAP. Contact her at diane@reikipets.com
(File photo. Cats pictured are not the actual kitties that need rescued.)
Blog reader Wendy sent us this haunting photo of her cat, Prince Leo. Spoooooooky!
Remember Abby? Blog reader Sandy adopted this adorable feral kitten earlier this year. On top is a picture of Abby when she first came to live with Sandy, and below is a picture of Abby now, more than half way to being a grown-up kitty and ready to play what will surely be her annual role as the very best Halloween decoration ever.
Abby would like to remind everyone to have a safe and happy Halloween this Saturday. Remember to keep the candy, especially chocolate and gum, far away from nosy pet noses. Be careful to keep the pets away when opening the door to those spooky trick-or-treaters. And if you dress your pet in a costume, make sure she or he can move easily in it and doesn't get too hot.
And take pictures and e-mail them to pets@roanoke.com.
And if you are coming back to the Wag for the first time this week, check out the entry two posts below for details on winning a great book. Keep those dog vs. kitty comments coming folks.
Trick-or-treat is not typically a two-way transaction. Or maybe it is. I guess you do give treats as sort of blackmail payoff to prevent being tricked. Any old hoo, the usual process involves one party giving and the other party getting the goods.
Until now.
Bring edible goodies for homeless pets to the Franklin County Humane Society Planned Pethood Clinic and Adoption Center this weekend and you will get a few tasty treats yourself.
The Bow Wow Meowl'oween party start Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. and continues Saturday from 10 to 2 p.m.
The shelter is asking for Purina Chow for cats, kittens, dogs and puppies, and all manner of kitty- and pooch-palatable treats, or donations of cash.
Refreshments will be served and prizes will be awarded for the top fundraiser.
And while you are there, take a few minutes to say hello to the adoptable pets waiting for their forever families.
I got my flu-ridden self feeling better over the weekend and came back to work today. It took many hours and a few tears, but I finally found the bottom of my inbox and the top of my desk.
Not that I've dealt with everything, mind you, but at least it's all sorted and prioritized, and the hottest fires are, at least temporarily, doused.
But I did get some cool swag delivered to my lonely office while I was away. And good stuff sent to me finds it's way to you.
I got this gorgeous book, "Why Dogs are Better than Cats"by Bradley Trevor Greive with photographs by Rachael Hale. Now before you start bombing me with comments, I certainly did not mean to imply I agree with the title. You know I love my cat and my pack of pooches equally.
The inside cover indicates that the author is simply "pro-dog, not anti-cat." But the back cover carries the text "Dogs are inherently good. Cats are something else entirely."
So, this book, loaded with charming photos and witty observations about felines and canines, will go to the reader that writes a brief comment explaining why they agree with the book's premise that pooches are superior to kitties. Humor will be count heavily toward a winning entry.
Please remember that many feline fans read this blog, so let's not be too harsh. And please refrain from making creative suggestions on how to quickly lead a cat through all nine of his lives. That's just creepy.
And fear not, cat fanciers, you will have the chance to voice your opposing viewpoint, too. I promise.
I'll take comments until Friday morning at 10 a.m. The best one, as judged by a panel of roanoke.com bloggers, gets the book.
