Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Join Fozzie, Yogi, Whitney, and I for PAWSwalk!!!!!!



A FRIENDLY REMINDER!

Get Registered for PAWSwalk
Saturday, September 12 will be here before you know it! It's the day of PAWS' largest fundraiser, PAWSwalk—a 5k walk around Seattle's beautiful Magnuson Park, paired with free samples from vendors, pet-friendly shopping, canine agility demos, a kids zone and more. Get your personal fundraising webpage set up on PAWSwalk.net and start collecting donations for the animals at PAWS.

New this year: you'll be able to update your Facebook and Twitter pages and lead your friends directly to your fundraising page at PAWSwalk.net. How easy is that? We'll send details on how to do that, but you have to get yourself registered first. Head over to PAWSwalk.net today!

If you'd like to support PAWSwalk and PAWS but are unable to participate in the walk, you can help by donating to my team!  If you click on any of the links in this post you'll be taken directly to the PAWSwalk website where you can search for my team name: Team Krusty Krab!!!!, choose how much you'd like to donate and help us reach our goal of $150!!!!

Logo and information courtesy of PAWS

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Leaving your dog in your car


In response to my last post where I brought up the issue of leaving dogs in a car during hot water, here are some tips courtesy of the Seattle Animal Shelter and the City of Seattle (original article can be found here):

"To protect your pets from the heat, the Seattle Animal Shelter reminds pet owners to exercise good judgment and use common sense during the hot weather.

“Whenever we have a hot spell, the animal shelter receives hundreds of calls about pets locked in cars,” says Seattle Animal Shelter Director Don Jordan. “Many pet owners are unaware that cars left in direct sunlight turn into lethal ovens, reaching fatal temperatures of 130 degrees or more within just a few minutes. Even dogs left locked in cars in the shade with the windows cracked on hot days are at risk of brain damage or death.”

If you must travel with your pet, Jordan advises carrying water for your pet, and avoiding trips where you have to leave the pet in the car. “It’s not worth the risk,” he says.

Jordan offers the following tips for protecting pets during hot weather:

· Never leave your animal chained or penned up directly in sunlight. Provide a shady area where the animal can retreat to such as a dog house, porch or shady tree, and always provide cool water.

· If you must leave animals indoors, open the windows, keep a fan running, provide plenty of water, and if possible, leave them in a cool location.

· Never leave dogs or cats unattended in a closed, locked car. Animals do not perspire like humans; they cool themselves through their lungs by panting. Hot air can lead to brain damage or death. Also, be aware that vinyl seats in vehicles get hot under animals’ feet and prevents them from perspiring through their paws. Remember, with the movement of the sun, a vehicle originally parked in the shade may soon be in direct sunlight.

· Avoid overexerting your animal in hot weather. Exercise is fine when taken in moderation, but obesity, old age, underlying disease and previous bouts of heat stroke can predispose an animal to the condition.

Feathered friends:

· Take caution and place the bird’s cage away from direct sunlight during the intense heat of the afternoon.

· Provide water and fruits and vegetables with high moisture content.

Pet owners can be held criminally liable for committing cruelty to animals if a pet dies, or is found suffering from heat prostration."

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Local News | Police seek man who assaulted dog | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Police seek man who assaulted dog | Seattle Times Newspaper

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It's ridiculous how many stories of animal cruelty are suddenly popping up in the news, this one no less disturbing as the others.  Although, with this rise in stories, what is also revealed is that instances of animal cruelty are more widely being recognized  by the public and the media....otherwise we would probably never hear about this story.  Concerning the article, it seems fairly irresponsible on the part of the owners to leave the innocent dog in the car while they went and watched a movie, IN SPOKANE which is usually much hotter than Seattle.  But once again, this person must be brought to justice for the horrible act of cruelty committed towards this dog because he more than likely has the capacity to do something terrible like this to a fellow human being.

Say hello to Fozzie and Yogi!!!!


I'd like to introduce everybody to my two youngest brothers, Fozzie and Yogi. They are both Lhasa Apso brothers from the same litter, but are completely different in my book in both physical appearance and personality (I sometimes question if they are even the same breed of dog because they're so different from each other). They came into our lives about a year ago when they were just 3 months old and changed, and also enhanced, our family dynamics. I came up with their names, Fozzie and Yogi, because our beloved dog who passed before them was named Bear (pictured left), so it seemed only fitting that we continue Bear's legacy and pay homage to him with the names Fozzie bear and Yogi bear. Little did I know at the time that their names would fit their now observable personalities like a fat guy wearing sweatpants: Fozzie as the comedic relief and Yogi being smarter than the average bear.


Much like the muppet, Fozzie is a good natured and highly amusing dog whose seemingly over-eccentric character and oblivious nature usually makes him the butt of the joke, accentuated by his googly eyes, "listen to me, I can bark!" bark, elongated tongue hanging to the side of his mouth, and his captain navigator pose when riding in the car. He is always excited to see you and never turns down an opportunity to have fun. While he's the bigger of the two, Fozzie usually looks to Yogi for approval and will take interest if Yogi takes interest. He has a weird shoe fetish and if you're sitting in a chair, he won't hesitate to climb behind you and sniff your face. I'm certain that his puppy mindset will never leave him and I'm also certain that if he could could talk, every word would be "Wocka Wocka Wocka!"


Yogi is the ostensibly composed and more pensive of the two; never gets too overly excited (at least to Fozzie's degree) and stays fairly reserved. While he knows tricks such as "shake hands," 9 times out of 10 he won't do it for you because I get the feeling that he thinks its a subordinate action that is below him. Though he's stubborn like a true lhasa, he also loves to cuddle up next to you like a true lhasa as well. I've caught him on many occasions spending numerous minutes sitting in front of a mirror and staring at himself, as if philosophically questioning his own existence within reality and maybe he's just merely a figment of another puppy's imagination. That being said, he still loves to play and jump around. He loves to play fetch with the selected few toys that he likes and will always drop it in front of you, but will give your hand a playful little nibble when you try to grab it. I believe that he must have some feline genes because he pounces, hops, and jumps like one when he wrestles with his brother.

You can almost call these two the canine representation of Pinky and the Brain, as their roles are quite fitting.
We love them very much and they bring absolute joy to our family!

The Animal Odd Couple | CBS Evening News | June 28, 2009




A great story of true friendship....what he says at the end rings true for me: "They harbor no fears, no secrets, no prejudices.  Just two living creatures who somehow manage to look past their immense differences.  Take a good look at this couple, America.  Take a good look world.  If they can do it -  what's our excuse?"  Cheesy yes, but still something to reflect on.

The CBS article and video can be found here

Local News | Man pleads guilty to stabbing church's therapy cat | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Man pleads guilty to stabbing church's therapy cat | Seattle Times Newspaper

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If this man is capable of doing this to a cat, who is to say he isn't capable of doing this to a fellow human being?  I am deeply saddened by stories like this and I hope the mental state of the people who have the capacity to do something like this to an innocent animal is comprehensively evaluated because they are a danger to everyone. 

Monday, June 29, 2009

18TH ANNUAL PAWSWALK - Sept. 12, 2009


Get Registered for PAWSwalk
Saturday, September 12 will be here before you know it! It's the day of PAWS' largest fundraiser, PAWSwalk—a 5k walk around Seattle's beautiful Magnuson Park, paired with free samples from vendors, pet-friendly shopping, canine agility demos, a kids zone and more. Get your personal fundraising webpage set up on PAWSwalk.net and start collecting donations for the animals at PAWS.

New this year: you'll be able to update your Facebook and Twitter pages and lead your friends directly to your fundraising page at PAWSwalk.net. How easy is that? We'll send details on how to do that, but you have to get yourself registered first. Head over to PAWSwalk.net today!
Logo and information courtesy of PAWS

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Oregon woman guilty of animal abuse after dragging dog | Seattletimes.com

Oregon woman guilty of animal abuse after dragging dog

An article from the Seattle Times last Sunday....absolutely terrible and heartbreaking.  A thoughtless and cruel "punishment" to a dog that wasn't even hers, and yet her punishment is "don't do it again."

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ASPCA

I'm sure you've all seen the incredibly sad ASPCA Sarah McLachlan commercials:



Well the harsh realities of puppy mills and animal abuse are not at all exaggerated by the video, in fact the video only touches the surface of the horrendous and deplorable treatment that these animals are subjected to.  These innocent animals ask for nothing more than our love and companionship, and yet they have become an outlet for our cruelty and ruthless treatment.  I urge you to help join the ASPCA and their dedicated staff to stop animal cruelty by donating and help spread awareness.  Click on the banner below linked to their website to find out more information and how you can donate.

 

Friday, June 26, 2009

Detective dog's surgery causes rocky situation for owner | Local News | Seattle News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | KING5.com

Detective dog's surgery causes rocky situation for owner | Local News |
Seattle News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | KING5.com


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FURBABY RESCUE (WASHINGTON STATE)


"Furbaby Rescue is a not for profit rescue organization reponsible for the rescues of more than 300 dogs a year. We have a high emotional stake in placement of our furbabies since we are a very small network of volunteers. All funding for medical, microchipping, and other needs comes straight out of our pockets; therefore, the only way to recoup our expenses is through adoption fees. However, the adoption fee you pay for one of our furbabies includes all shots, micro-chipping, neuter/spay, and any and all medical attention the dog needs to get him/her ready for adoption."

The founder of Furbaby Rescue, Eleni Naslund is someone with a massively gigantic heart. Along with her few volunteers, she does absolutely everything she can to help these dogs find not only a forever home, but most importantly a family to give these innocent, abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs the love they deserve.
As someone who pours her heart out to help these dogs get healthy and find a home, her selfless investment in each one of these special dogs has to be devastatingly draining to consistently embark on a new journey with all the dogs she opens her home to. Her small organization is not only credible and genuine, but is one of the few examples in this world that epitomizes true generosity and kindness.

If you'd like to donate, please visit the site linked here or email Eleni at elleny@comcast.net