April 29, 2008Chihuahua delivered to mayor's doorstepA mail carrier in Irving, Texas, made a rather unusual delivery this past weekend when he placed a box with Chihuahua puppy inside on the mayor's doorstep. 
According to a story in the Dallas Morning News, postal employee Philip Smith admitted he acted out of frustration with local animal control officials when he scooped up a free-roaming Chihuahua placed him in a cardboard box with a note including Smith's name and phone number, and left the box on Mayor Herbert Gears' porch. Smith contends that he has complained about the puppy wandering loose in his neighborhood, and animal control failed to correct the problem. After the pooch "made sexual advances" toward a neighbor's dog, Smith took it upon himself to relocate the amorous canine. He is quoted as saying returning the dog to his owners seemed pointless, since they continued to let the dog run loose. So he decided, since the mayor once told residents that if they had a problem, they could contact him for help, he would put the problem squarely on the mayor's doorstep. The mayor said he found the box with no dog inside and called police. The next day, the dog did show up on the mayor's porch sporting an injury to his leg, possibly an animal bite. Gears took the pooch to a vet who said the dog should make a full recovery. "There is no excuse for doing something like that," Gears is quoted in the article. "I don't care how many complaints you have. That's going over the top." The article did not give an age for the pup or say who has current custody him. Irving police and the U.S. Postal Service are investigating the issue. Personally, even though I could almost sympathize with the guy's frustration, I don't think it's humane to endanger a puppy to make a point. What do you think? If animal control fails to correct a situation, do you think its right to take the matter into your own hands? (Photo by WFAA-TV staff, Dallas) April 28, 2008A really good dog
(Photo by Matt Gentry/The Roanoke Times) Callie in the spotlight
This is Callie, a 10-year-old poodle whose pet parent Patty White said was a little jealous of a new great-grand baby in the family. Understandable, since poodles are pretty smart and she knew she commanded a lot of attention. But I am also sure she will share the affection with the new baby, and maybe a toy or two. Maybe. April 26, 2008Doggy day care opens in Giles CountyFor more information, go to the Web site. Video by Dawn Furnas. April 25, 2008National Pet Parents Day
This holiday is the brainchild of Veterinary Pet Insurance. According to the Web site, vetlearn.com, "...VPI is offering electronic greeting cards dedicated to National Pet Parent's Day on its Web site, petinsurance.com, through April 27. VPI's 'e-Cards' will be available for Web site visitors to share with the pet parent(s) of their choice -- friends, family or even spouses who raise dogs, cats, birds, or exotic pets. Similar to popular online greeting cards, senders will have the ability to choose a design and attach a personalized message to the electronic greeting." So send your favorite pet parent a greeting and let them know you love that they love pets. Take Curley homeMeet Curley, a handsome 1-year-old greyhound looking for home.  Curley and his siblings were rescued from a farm in Florida. They were intended to be racing dogs, but now they are intended to be pets. And I can tell you from personal experience, greyhounds make great pets. Contact Sarah Orrick of Star City Greyhound Adoptions at 387-9641if you are interested in Curley or any of the other fast hounds looking for a soft couch. Stop by PetsMart most Saturdays and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. for a greyhound meet-and-greet. April 23, 2008Cocktails, anyone?
Twenty percent of all sales between 5 and 8 p.m. will be donated to the causes. As I have blogged before, NewVaConnects is the force behind fencing in the dog park. Recognizing that it is completely insane to let your pooch run off-leash in the unfenced Fishburn Park, which is borderd by busy Brambleton Avenue, the group is trying to raise $30,000 to build a fence and add other amenities to the park. The group will announce the winner of the dog park logo contest at the Cocktails for a Cause event. Putting on the grub for service dogsHere's a link to Lindsey Nair's article about the kitchen scene at last week's Puttin' on the Dog dinner, a fundraiser for St. Francis Service Dogs Foundation. This is a link to photographer Stephanie Klein-Davis' slideshow from the event. My two big passions in life are pets and food, so this event was perfect evening for me, and apparently for everyone else involved. If you missed out, there is always next year. Enjoy. Dogs, cats, alligators, oh mySorry no blog entry yesterday. I must learn to better manage my time at work. I was out perusing the Internet for some pet news this morning, and found a blog entry on the Los Angeles Times' Web site about a stray German shepherd dog that, after biting a teenager, eluded capture for days by swimming in a lake that was once the stomping ground for an alligator. 
According to the report, last year an alligator found its way into a Los Angeles-area lake and made himself at home. After numerous sightings, authorities finally caught the reptile, dubbed Reggie at some point during his media campaign, and took him off to a zoo. There, Reggie imitated Oops, our own infamous Mill Mountain monkey, and tried to escape, making him somewhat of a legend in the area. So last week this delinquent dog tried to hide in Reggie's infamous lake. Good thing for the pooch Reggie didn't have any relatives still lurking in the water. The dog was eventually captured when he landed ashore near a golf course and taken to an animal shelter. And while alligators are in the news, did you see the "Today" show interview with a woman who found an alligator strolling through her Florida home? Sandra Frosti, 69, of Oldsmar, Fla., thinks the alligator gained entry to her home through her screened-in porch. Then the scaly beast proceeded to saunter through her house, ending up in the kitchen, where apparently the only thing keeping him from opening the 'fridge making himself a sandwich was the lack of opposable thumbs. As the gator made its way through Frosti's home, she made a hasty retreat, leaving behind her cat, Poe. The quick-thinking feline was able to remain undetected by the menacing gator as he contemplated snack choices in the kitchen. Frosti spotted her kitty in the living room and whisked him out of the house to safety. Authorities captured the intruder and, according to Frosti, put the gator down. Apparently an alligator cannot be expected to stay in the swamp once he's tasted the good life of condo living, and he would pose a certain threat to the next home he decided to invade. Frosti told Meredith Viera that she's had many calls from family and friends about the incident, but most were checking on Poe's well-being. (Photo: Los Angeles Times file) April 21, 2008Nap time in the sunshine
Hope those felines didn't leave tan lines. April 18, 2008A great evening for a greater causeThe hubs and I had a splendid time last night at the "Putting on the Dog" fundraiser for St. Francis Service Dog Foundation. The food was indescribably good and the company was equally enjoyable. Read Lindsey Nair's Front Burner column in next Wednesday's newspaper for an in-depth analysis of the cuisine and how seven top chefs co-habituated in one kitchen. 
If you are ever fortunate enough to spend time with a service dog, you will be in the presence of true dedication to duty and what is obviously a spiritual bond between a person and a dog. We shared our table with Sarah and her service dog Drake, and with Jennifer and her service dog Memphis. Both dogs were black labs and trained by the St. Francis organization. Memphis stayed quietly under the table during dinner; you would never have known he was there. Drake remained right by Sarah's side through most of the evening, waiting to be helpful. When a server dropped a fork, Drake was more than happy to retrieve it for him. I was a little jealous because my hubby had the prime petting spot with Drake. Normally you want to refrain from petting a service dog, but last night was a special occasion. 
A few facts we took away from our evening: It takes years and thousands of dollars to train these wonderful pooches for service. The dogs are provided to their partners free of charge. The waiting list for a service dog is two to five years. Photos by Stephanie Klein-Davis/The Roanoke Times Birthday bash at PetSmart
Here's the scoop from a news release: WHAT: A complimentary birthday event for pets and their pet parents in all PetSmart stores. Pets are encouraged to wear their best decorated party hat and compete to win PetSmart gift cards. Pets also have a chance to learn how to "high five" with accredited trainers and show off their new trick in a "high five" contest. Party favors include a digital photo package and goodie bags. Supplies are limited, so pets should arrive early. WHEN: Tuesday, April 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. The trick contest is at 7 p.m., the party hat contest starts at 7:30 p.m.
I guess no clown or pony rides, but it still sounds like a good time. Take Garcia homeToday we start a new feature here for Fridays at the Happy Wag: Take Me Home. Each week, I will feature at least one pet from here in the Roanoke Valley who is looking for love in all the right places. And I will try to keep you updated on each pet's status in their search for a family. 
Garcia has been living at the League for Animal Protection since August of 2006. He is a 5-year-old border collie/lab mix and is really a terrific dog with a super personality. Garcia is probably best suited for a home where he is the only dog. Garcia is currently the Lobby Dog at LAP. He's never had an accident in the lobby and loves to hang out on his soft dog bed watching the volunteers do their chores. 
So, if you would like a super sweet pooch who can hang out on a soft bed, patiently waiting for a walk while you do your chores, then Garcia may be your next best buddy. Come to think of it, I would like to be your best buddy. But Garcia is much cuter, so adopt him. You can meet Garcia at the LAP shelter at 603 Poor Farm Road in Fincastle. April 17, 2008Pennies for a good causeSeems like everyone in Southwest Roanoke County is doing there part to help the RVSPCA. Click here for a link to a story about kids at Hidden Valley who raised money to help homeless pets. Personally, I would love to see the RVSPCA and all the other homeless animal shelters here go out of business. Yeah, you read that right. Closed up forever. Shut down due to lack of need because all dogs and cats and have loving homes and they are spayed and neutered and not producing unwanted pups and kittens. End of problem, no need for shelters. You may say that I am a dreamer, but I am not the only one. Save the date for WoofstockGet out your tie-dyed T-shirt and your Birkenstocks, put a flower in your hair, find a hemp collar for your dog and spend a groovy day at Woofstock- a music festival fundraiser for Roanoke Valley animal rescue groups. Here's some information I lifted directly for the RVSPCA Web site: "Sponsor Hounds brings us Woofstock Dog Festival on May 31from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Roanoke's Elmwood Park. Rain date is June 1. Entertainment includes all-day music with Half Moon, The Honest Scoundrels, Lonesome Pine and Burning Bridges. Silent auction, food vendors, face painting. 
Games and contests including Dog Trivia, Ugly Dog Contest, Pet/Owner Look-alike, Costume Contest, and more! Educational seminars, displays, rescue groups. $8 admission for adults, $3 for kids 7 to 12, free for kids under 6 and dogs. Proceeds from admission fees & silent auction, plus other events, to benefit local animal rescue groups including RVSPCA, Dalmatian Rescue of SW Va, Franklin County Humane and Harmony Rescue." A snack for the homeless pupsClick here to read about some very sweet folks at in a retirement community in Southwest Roanoke County who baked snacks for the pooches at the RVSPCA. While you are there, take a look around the community blog for Southwest County. If you live in Salem or Botetourt, there's a news blog about your community, too. April 16, 2008Too many puppies
"We need help! There are 50 puppies at the pound that we want to bring over to the RVSPCA. We have another 30 puppies in foster care due to come back next week, with another 20 set to come back the week after that. Obviously we don't have adequate space to save these precious lives. Can you help get the word out that PUPPY SEASON is on us and they are available for adoption?" Consider it done, Kathy. I realize I may be preaching to the choir here, since it's probably a fair assumption that most of you blog readers already have pets, but you may be able to help with foster care. And if you know people who are looking for a new pet, please urge them to consider the dogs and cats at the shelters. This adorable little guy pictured above here is among the hundreds of unwanted pups and kittens that end up there every spring. Q&A on energy workshop
WHERE: The Farm At Taylor's Store Wirtz, Va Curious about this workshop, I fired off an e-mail full of questions to Diane Novak, the seminar facilitator. Here are her answers: Q: Can participants bring their dogs with them? A: Yes but they have to get clearance to bring them as I have to make sure animals all dogs are up to date with shots and 'play well with others'. At the last workshop that wasn't the case with two. Q: When you say healing, are we talking about physical ailments or emotional problems or both? A: They can be both physical and emotional. What I am teaching pet owners is the basic rudiments of energy healing, and how to identify when the body is out of balance or is 'blocked' so to speak. Q: Are there materials that participants will leave with? A: People will be leaving with materials I put together in a folder. Q: What percentage is being donated to the FCHS and what exactly is SNAP? A: Half of the workshop profits will be dedicated to SNAP (The Spay Neuter Assistance Project.) I'm very excited about SNAP since the goal is to help low income pet owners in Franklin County afford the cost of a spay or neuter for their pets by being subsidized. Pet owners will be required to show proof of need. Q: Can you give me the exact address for the Farm at Taylor's Store? A: Well for now the owners would rather I give the people who sign up for the class exact directions. I hope you understand :) Novak also added that there will be healthy snacks provided at the workshop and Energy 101 with Equines is next on her agenda. She also said a Roanoke Times reporter is doing a story for the Your Community page of the Virginia section of the newspaper on SNAP. Novak is banking on media coverage for the program raising awareness as well as funds. "I'm hoping we get major donations for it since we can't get going without the moola!" she wrote. April 15, 2008Spring cleaning at LAP
Fresh mulch was added to the landscaping at the shelter's entrance and a fresh coat of paint was added to the kitty playroom known as the Cattery. The place was looking pretty spiffy by the time I had to leave. (Just to be clear: I snapped photos and took notes while other folks did the hard work.) LAP is a no-kill shelter is located at 603 Poor Farm Road in Fincastle, near Central Academy Middle School. The site, formerly the Botetourt County pound, is nestled quietly by a stream among many mature trees. The place is serene, especially on a sunny spring morning. We have winners!We had five people share their stories of doggy misbehavior in our "Good Dog Gone Bad" contest. All five stories were entertaining, and I was really stuck choosing just two. So, since I happened to have five dog-related books here in my office, I decided everyone is a winner! I know. I am wimpy. I admit it and I am not ashamed. 
I wonder how much encouragement canine Katie needed from Amanda to destroy Amanda's future-husband's couch. Amanda wrote that after Katie de-stuffed the unattractive piece of furniture, "I was THRILLED. I hated that sofa anyway! I had nothing to do with it - I swear!" Uh-huh. Sure, Amanda. Anyway, you win the book "Before Your Dog Can Eat Your Homework..." by former "Seinfeld" star John O'Hurley. 
Demi the roaming Jack Russell’s pet mom, Laura, is awarded "The Dangerous Book of Dogs" by Rex and Sparky. Perhaps Demi can contribute a chapter if there would be a second edition. Finally, longtime loyal blog reader Kim takes home "Puppy Chow is Better than Prozac," a novel by Bruce Goldstein. Kim's story was about her childhood dog Molly who devoured Kim and her sister's unattended Easter candy. If all the winners could please send your mailing addresses to nona.nelson@roanoke.com, these books will be on their way to you this week. Thanks! April 14, 2008Beautiful Sabra
Sabra and her other feline friends seem happy together in the Cattery, but I know they would rather have a home and a family. If you are looking for a sweet and social kitty, stop by the League for Animal Protection in Fincastle. April 11, 2008Friday short takesHere's a compendium of little news tidbits I have accumulated: Vet clinic on the go Dog-Napping on the rise Ironically, moments before I got this e-mail about dog-napping, I got an all-employee e-mail from someone in our New River Valley bureau who wrote there was a man searching for his stolen dog near the Wal-Mart in Christiansburg. I can only assume he was scouring the neighborhood and stopped in the nearby newspaper office to report the crime. No description of the pooch was given, other than her name is Ally. The AKC recommends you get your pet microchipped (I agree) and they also recommend you have a color photo in case you would need to make flyers. I hope the guy in Christiansburg had one of Ally. Foster parents needed Contest nears the end That's all for today. Check back tomorrow for a video and Monday for a photo of the week. Have a wonderful weekend folks. April 10, 2008Extreme designer petsWhile perusing the Web for blog topics today, I found a link to a Web site for Lifestyle Pets, a company that is selling cats and dogs genetically engineered to be hypoallergenic. Price for a kitty guaranteed not to make you sneeze? $5,950 to $130,000. The pooch price? $15,000 to $21,000. If home security is more of a concern for you than allergies, they also offer the Titan Family Protector dog in prices ranging from $85,000 to $120,000. Please, someone tell me this is a joke. The danderless cats look like small leopards, the sneeze-free dog resembles a West Highland terrier, and the Titan Family Protector is a German shepherd dog. The Web site claims this company can scientifically prove that their products (that would be kittens and puppies) do not produce allergens, thus opening the door of companionship to (wealthy) people who otherwise would not be able to enjoy a pet. Okay. They say the guard dogs are trained Schutzhunds and for top dollar, (wealthy) folks can buy one from an exclusive German bloodline. Right. Let me speak to allergy subject because I have a few myself: I took a series of shots in the '90s that all but cured my pet dander allergies; your results may vary. A little decongestant can help, and after a while you could build antibodies that reduce the symptoms. Consult your doctor if you have allergies and really want to find the best way to co-habitate with a furry friend. 
And as far as a canine home protection system goes, a more affordable option might be to adopt a dog, take him or her home and love that pup so much that the pooch would do anything to let you know someone was breaking into the house. Remember Hercules, the Yorkipoo who thwarted a burglar? Size doesn't always matter. Adoption price for a shelter kitty or dog: around $100. The love you get from saving a homeless pet: priceless. Let me know what you think. Does anyone else find that the idea of selling genetically-engineered pets wanders over the border of offensive excess? It's not just me, right? April 9, 2008A play date for pooches
Yappy Hour is still on for the early risers from 8:30 to 10 a.m. If, however, you have a high-octane dog, an off-leash park is a great way to expend some of that energy. I am not a devout follower of the "Dog Whisperer," Cesar Millan, but I do believe he's right that regular exercise will make for a better behaved pooch. What has been your experience at off-leash dog parks? April 8, 2008Puppy love fundraiser and love for real puppiesHere is a link to a photo gallery of the folks who attended the Puppy Love Ball, a fundraiser for the Roanoke Valley SPCA. My husband and I had a wonderful time and we were glad that our ticket purchases would help homeless pets. Now we all have to extend our love to real puppies by pledging to never buy a puppy from a pet store or directly from a puppy mill. If you saw last Friday's episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," you saw some of the breeding stock rescued from these deplorable places. The part of the show that brought me to tears was the report on the animal shelter in Texas where 40 dogs a day are put down due to lack of space and lack of adopting families. That's 40 dogs a DAY. There are two ways to prevent healthy dogs and cats from being put down: adopt from a shelter or a rescue group and spay or neuter your pets. If you saw the show, post a comment and let us know what you thought. April 7, 2008State of GracieThe pet photo of the week honor is split between a dog and a cat who share a name: Gracie. First, there is Gracie the dog: 
And next we have Gracie the cat, with pictures from long-time blog reader and devoted pet parent Kim. 
Kim writes:"After a string of dog pictures I thought it was time for the kitties to have some exposure! Attached are two pictures of my youngest cat, Gracie, going through her nighttime routine. 
April 4, 2008Dogs and dog issues on television
Winfrey has said she is dedicating this episode to Sophie, her 13-year-old cocker spaniel who died in March of a kidney infection. The talk show host acquired Sophie and many of her other dogs from breeders. After her beloved dog’s death, Winfrey has said she will adopt future pets from animal shelters. Winfrey’s decision to do a show about puppy mills has supposedly drawn the ire of John Yates of the American Sporting Dog Alliance. Here’s a link to a statement that’s all over the Internet, everywhere, that is, except the ASDA Web site. I clicked all over it, but I could not find this post. If you can find it, send me the link. In a nutshell, the ASDA gripe with this and any other report on puppy mills boils down to concern that public outcry will result in legislation that punishes responsible breeders. The American Kennel Club uses this same argument to lobby against anti-puppy mill legislation that is supported by the HSUS and other animal welfare groups. When I read all this bickering between organizations that all claim to be dedicated to the welfare of dogs, it reminds me why I like most pooches better than most people. Can’t we find common ground that protects responsible breeders while policing those who keep dogs in deplorable conditions and turn out sickly, badly-socialized dogs? Can’t we agree that we all want the same thing: healthy, happy dogs that get to put their canine skills to good use and are treated humanely by people?
The show pits a dozen dog groomers against each other for the title of “Groomer of the Year.” It’s hosted by Jai Rodriguez, formerly of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.” April 3, 2008Logo sought for new dog park
According to the press release, the logo's design should "capture the spirit of our region" as well as our local "two- and four-legged residents." The contest is open to amateur and professional artists, with a special youth category for designers under age 17. Group projects are welcome, but only one entry per person is permitted. NewVaConnects encourages digital entries submitted to their public e-mail address, roanokedogpark@gmail.com. Deadline is April 28. Click here for more specific details on how to enter. The winner will be announced at Cocktails for a Cause on April 30 at Trio Bistro in downtown Roanoke. The event is a fundraiser for the dog park. The goal is to raise $30,000 by June 1 for the fencing and other amenities like benches, waste receptacles and watering stations. If you are looking for inspiration, here's the parks' mission statement: To create a fenced, off-leash, public dog park where well-behaved canine citizens can run, play and exercise in a clean, safe environment; to develop a beautiful and well-maintained public space open to dog lovers and friends who will uphold the park's rules and regulations; to view the dog park as a community project in partnership with the City of Roanoke and area civic organizations that satisfies the needs of dog owners and non-dog owners alike. April 2, 2008A game of tags
A law passed last year by the General Assembly requires veterinarians to report all rabies vaccines administered to dogs and cats to the local treasurer's office. If there is no current license on file for the pet, the treasurer will mail you an application for the license, in essence a bill for you pet tax. You have 30 days to pay your license fee or your case is turned over to animal control. The fees, by the way, are not budget-busting: less than $10 in most localities if your pet is spayed or neutered. The license fee for an unaltered pet can be up to $25, depending on your city or county rate schedule. The Virginia Veterinary Medical Association is concerned that license fee and the threat of animal control showing up at doorsteps will discourage owners from getting their pets vaccinated. With the number of rabies cases at record levels last year, that's a reasonable concern. Dog owners also worry that the state government will use the vaccination records for breed profiling by insurance companies. But a new law passed last year exempts breed information on license applications from the Freedom of Information Act. What's a responsible pet parent to do? Pay up, I say. The fee is nominal and it's worth it to avoid the hassle. If you feel strongly that this is another example of government getting far too deep into your business, then reach out to your legislator and let him or her know how you feel. But the wrong answer is to refrain from vaccinating your pet. Rabies is deadly and highly communicable. It's worth whatever you have to pay to protect your pets and your family. April 1, 2008Reflections on pit bullsPlease read today's story in The Roanoke Times about the plight of pit bulls that end up in shelters. 
A pit bull is like a mirror reflection of the people around him. Placed in a loving home with people who treat them kindly, pit bulls are wonderful pets. But if they end up in the company of criminals who stage dog fights or with aggressive people who find gratification in making a dog as vicious as they are, then they lead a life not fit for any dog. And it is the castoffs of the criminals and irresponsible people that fill shelters and have a hard time finding a home where they can get love they deserve. Add to this mix the supporters of breed specific laws intent on making these dogs extinct (because it is easier to punish the dogs than the idiots who treat them badly) and the future for these dogs looks grim. Personally, I support harsher punishment for the people who mistreat these dogs. If you are considering adopting a dog from a shelter, please take an extra long look at a bully. These are incredible dogs that do not deserve the reputation that evil, aggressive people have hung on them. And if you can’t adopt a dog right now, consider making a gift to a local shelter like RVSPCA, Angles of Assisi, or the League for Animal Protection, or a national group like Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, so these dogs can have a fighting chance to find good home.
|