When it comes to the pet overpopulation crisis, it’s a great step in the right direction that President-elect Barack Obama has promised to adopt a shelter dog and brought so much publicity to the cause.
What has slipped somewhat under the radar - so far - is that Vice President-elect Joe Biden has just purchased a German Shepherd puppy from a commercial breeder in Pennsylvania (the “puppy mill capital of the East Coast” and the subject of Oprah’s expose on puppy mill dogs).
The breeding facility where Senator Biden purchased his puppy has just been cited for multiple violations, including unsatisfactory ventilation, inadequate maintenance and sanitation, and missing sale and vaccination records.
Reports indicate that although Senator Biden has purchased a puppy, he has not yet picked it up. You can take action today by visiting www.bidendog.com and signing a petition asking Senator Biden to choose a homeless dog or puppy instead! You can also write to Senator Biden using a web form on his Senate webpage or call his office at (302) 573-6345.
Old Dogs: Are the Best Dogs is a beautiful tribute to our grey-muzzled faithful friends. Written by author Gene Weingarten and photographed by Michael Williamson (both Pulitzer Prize winners and Washington Post staff members), this book will touch your heart.
From Amazon.com:
Anyone who has ever loved an old dog will love Old Dogs. In this collection of profiles and photographs, Weingarten and Williamson document the unique appeal of man’s best friend in his or her last, and best, years.
This book is a tribute to every dog who has made it to that time of life when the hearing and eyesight begin to go, when the step becomes uncertain, but when other, richer traits ripen and coalesce. It is when a dog attains a special sort of dignity and a charm all his own.
If you’ve known a favorite old dog, you’ll find him or her on these pages. Your dog might go by a different name and have a different shape, but you’ll recognize him or her by the look in an eye or the contours of a life story. There is the dog who thinks he is a house cat; the herder, the fetcher, the punk and the peacock, the escape artist, the demolition artist, the patrician, the lovable lout, the amiable dope, the laughable clown, the schemer, the singer, the daredevil, the diplomat, the politician, the gourmand, and the thief. Plus, as a special bonus, you will find the first Latvian elkhounds ever photographed.
Old Dogs is a glorious gift book and a fitting tribute to that one dog you can’t ever forget.
According to Real Simple magazine, a study found that spending quality time with your pet can boost your immune system. Researchers at Wilkes University found that petting a dog for 18 minutes led to a significant spike in secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA), which helps protect the body against germs.
Experts say the boost in immunity comes as a result of experiencing pleasurable feelings. Feeling pleasure triggers the release of chemicals in the brain that enhance immune function. That’s why it pays to pet your dog or cat as often as possible. (Like you really needed an excuse!) :-)
This is possibly one of the best kept secrets here in Columbia - the Mall in Columbia invites pets to come in on Monday evenings and have their pictures taken with Santa!
Pet photos with Santa are available on Monday evenings from 6-9 pm on November 24, December 1, 8, and 15.
Prints of your photo are $13.95 for one 5×7, two 3×5’s or four wallets. Additional prints can be purchased for $7.95, and you receive 25% off 5 prints or more.
In California, a couple was reunited with their pet cat who went missing more than 13 years ago. The cat, George, was last seen in 1995. When he went missing, his owners, Melinda Merman and Frank Walburg, searched for him but had no luck.
Imagine Melinda and Frank’s surprise when they recently received a call from an animal hospital saying that their cat had been found!
George was traced back to his owners through the microchip implanted under his skin.
Also remember:
The Animal Welfare Society performs low-cost microchipping without the fee of a veterinarian’s office visit. Just stop by during our walk-in vaccine clinics and we will be happy to microchip your pet! See our Vaccine Clinic page for more information.
A few months ago, Barack Obama promised his children that he would get them a puppy should he win the presidential election. In response to his announcement, Best Friends started a petition asking the Obama family to lead by example and adopt a shelter dog.
50,000 people signed the petition - a record number for a Best Friends petition - and in response, Michelle Obama has confirmed that the family will indeed “adopt a rescue dog.”
During his acceptance speech, Barack Obama confirmed that his daughters would be getting the puppy that they were promised. ”I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House,” he said.
Because of daughter Malia Obama’s allergies, the family will most likely choose a hypoallergenic, low-shedding breed. Malia, age 10, has said she wants a goldendoodle, but there’s no final word yet. As a result, speculation continues as to what dog the Obamas will adopt - and when.
The Chicago Tribune has started a poll asking what sort of dog the Obamas should adopt. Choices include shelter dog, Bichon Frise, Shih Tzu, Yorkie, and Shar-Pei. So far, “shelter dog” leads the poll with over half of the votes.
Peaches is a sweet little 3-year-old Jack Russell Terrier. On October 10, Peaches slipped a disc and became paralyzed from the waist down. Initially, we hoped that surgery would be able to help her, but her neurologist confirmed that her condition is permanent.
We needed to raise money to buy Peaches a custom-made scooter and turned to the community for help. We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support we received and we raised the necessary money in just two days! It took over a week for the scooter to arrive, but it finally did - and Peaches took to it right away.
Everyone was impressed by Peaches’ willingness to try her scooter, as well as her immediate enthusiasm upon learning how the scooter worked! She made it obvious to all of us that she was overjoyed to be mobile once again.
Unfortunately, we found that, despite being custom-made, her scooter wasn’t quite right. It holds her hips up too high and puts too much weight on her front legs, making her tire out quickly and straining her joints. Now we’re waiting for a replacement scooter, and we’re confident that it will be just perfect. And Peaches’ eagerness to use the not-quite-right scooter proved that this spunky girl isn’t going to let her disability get her down! She has so much enthusiasm and zest for life!
This week is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, a program founded by the Humane Society of the United States. This year’s theme is “Shelters Rock,” and music artists such as Hilary Duff, Carrie Underwood, Emmylou Harris, and more are speaking out in support of animal shelters.
“There were so many strays around Oklahoma, where I grew up. I’ve taken in cats, had them spayed or neutered, and found homes for them. A lot of people don’t know how important it is to spay or neuter pets. That can cut down on the number of homeless animals.” – Carrie Underwood
The HSUS offers several ways to help animal shelters:
• Sign an online pledge to show your support, and spread the word to your friends to do the same
• Post a banner to MySpace, Facebook, your blog or website to show your appreciation for shelters
Old Dogs: Are the Best Dogs is a beautiful tribute to our grey-muzzled faithful friends. Written by author Gene Weingarten and photographed by Michael Williamson (both Pulitzer Prize winners and Washington Post staff members), this book will touch your heart.
This is possibly one of the best kept secrets here in Columbia - the Mall in Columbia invites pets to come in on Monday evenings and have their pictures taken with Santa!
This week is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, a program founded by the Humane Society of the United States. This year’s theme is “Shelters Rock,” and music artists such as Hilary Duff, Carrie Underwood, Emmylou Harris, and more are speaking out in support of animal shelters.