DogTales

I was so happy to read more about the outcome of some of Michael Vick’s pit bulls. I am partial to pit bulls because I think they, and other power breeds, are misunderstood. People take advantage of their strength and their loyal nature. I fostered a pit almost two years ago and he was an absolutely perfect boy.

Anyway, it looks like there may be some happy endings for these pups in the SF Bay Area at BAD RAP as well as some at Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. Best Friends call them Vicktory dogs.

I just ran across this story on msnbc.com about pets falling victim to the mortgage crisis. The story is out of California. The story discusses that a large number of pets are being turned over to shelters because their owners face foreclosure and must move. Unfortunate for the people and very sad for the pets that have no control over the situation.

The reporter mentions that some people have been forced to move into apartment complexes that ban certain breeds. My assumption is that this is probably insurance/liability related. When I was shopping around for a better homeowners rate a few years ago, I discovered some insurance companies target certain dog breeds. A couple of companies I spoke to required a rider to cover my Rottweiler.

Choosing to bring a pet into your life shouldn’t be taken lightly. It shouldn’t be an impulse decision. While pets can be great fun and rewarding, they can also be difficult and expensive. When people are in financial straits, it’s often the pet that will suffer. Based on info from the ASPCA, the cost to own a large dog for its lifetime is $22,120. Sounds low to me. One day, I’ll calculate my pets’ annual expenses. It’s more than a $30 bag of dog food every couple of weeks. Consider financial stuff before you bring a pet into your life.

When I was in college, I saw a woman and her two kids walking down the street with their dog who was off leash. The dog ran out in the road and was hit by a car. The people stopped, but then decided to walk away, even though the dog was still alive–laying injured in the street. I jumped out of my car to help, then started screaming at the people because they didn’t have their dog on leash and now they were walking away from their dying dog. I remember the woman saying they didn’t have any money to help their dog.

I can’t imagine not being able to afford medical care for my pets. I know medical costs for treating an animal that’s sick or injured can be prohibitive. I’ve put together a list of organizations who help people and organization who are trying to help sick or injured animals. Maybe this information will help someone.

So back to that dog by the curb–he was a shepherd and he was beautiful. A passer-by helped me move him out of the street and over to the sidewalk. I waited with the dog as he struggled to breathe until animal rescue showed up. I helped load the dog into the truck. I’m sure he was euthanized as soon as he arrived at the shelter. I’m so sorry I couldn’t help him.

Read a bit about where he stands and how he’s voted on animal-related issues. While I appreciate his anti-war stance and am impressed by his campaign’s guerrilla marketing tactics, his record with animals is deplorable.

All I’m sayin’ is know where your candidate stands on *all* issues before you vote.

Mike Markarian, President of the Humane Society Legislative Fund and author of the Animals & Politics blog, is doing a series of posts about where the major presidential candidates stand on animal-related issues.

The first posting in The Presidential Files series about Mike Huckabee was disturbing. Be sure to read about his alleged family history of cruelty to animals and the suggestion that as the governor, he obstructed justice.

Markarian has also covered John Edwards.

I look forward to reading about all of the candidates.

I’m so proud of my husband. He saw the Humane Society’s full-page ad in USA Today urging Wendy’s to stop using eggs from chickens confined to battery cages. He said he’s seen a photo of the cages and it was awful. 

I reminded him of a time at the grocery store when I wanted to buy eggs produced by cage-free chickens and he said no, they’re too expensive. Well, he’s changed his tune now. He wants eggs from happy, free chickens.

Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?! (Don’t tell him I said that–especially since I’m 2 years older than he is!)

When I moved to Houston as a kid in the late 70s/early 80s I remember thinking how weird it was seeing people selling stuff along the side of the road. On a Saturday afternoon along FM1960, a road on the north side of Houston , it was common to see things for sale like fudge, bar-b-que, crafts, seafood, as well as animals–puppies, kittens, rabbits, birds. I’d never seen anything like that before coming to Houston.

It’s taken 25 years, but the powers that be in Harris County have *finally* decided it’s a bad idea to sell animals by the roadside. It’s about damn time.

If you see someone selling animals by the road in Harris County, report it. Call 281-999-3191.

I have last years’ Saving Animals/Astros calendar that featured players’ pets and BARC pets. They’ve done it again this year and will have an autograph and free microchipping event Saturday, September 29, 2007. Details:

Astros Players to Host Autograph Signing for 2008 Player & Pet Calendar!
Dogs Receive FREE Advantage Flea Prevention and resQ Microchip from Bayer

WHO
Houston Astros Dave Borkowski, Chad Qualls, and Chris Sampson, Saving Animals’ Pet Adoption Center, Bayer Animal Health, Northwest Mall, People and Pets.

WHAT
The 2008 Astros Player and Pet Calendars are hot off the press! Attend the kick-off event and be among the first to purchase the calendar and have Astros players autograph your copy. Dogs (on a leash or in a carrier, please) attending with their human will receive a free resQ identification microchip implanted by Saving Animals’ veterinarians. Plus, every calendar includes a coupon for a free tube of Advantage® flea control

Bayer Animal Health generously sponsored the production of the 2008 Astros Player & Pet Calendar. Educational messages in the calendar promote animal health care and the importance of permanent identification for dogs and cats.

The 14-month calendars are only $15.00 (plus shipping and handling if ordered on-line) and available at most Texas Petco stores. Calendars are also available at The Shed souvenir store in Minute Maid Park, in the ballpark souvenir stores in Round Rock and Corpus Christi, and at www.astros.com/petcalendar and www.savinganimals.org. 

WHEN
Saturday, September 29, 2007, 10:00 a.m. to noon CDT

WHERE
Saving Animals Pet Adoption Center at Northwest Mall
9800 Hempstead Hwy. at Loop 610
Entrance D
Houston, Texas

Vote for Rummy, a sweet red Husky rescued in a terrible state. This poor baby is blind and was neglected and emaciated, but with help from Houston area Husky Haven, Rummy has had a miraculous makeover is now a beautiful dog. He’s one of 10 finalists in Purina’s Rally to Rescue contest. Your vote for Rummy could win Husky Haven $5000 in pet food.

Act now. Voting ends September 30. (All of the dogs and rescuers are very deserving. After reading their stories, the choice is difficult.)

Being a good corporate citizen is something I look for and admire in a business. Amazon does not fall into that category.

Several months ago, I learned that Amazon sells magazines and other publications related to cockfighting. I participated in a letter writing campaign through the Humane Society asking Amazon to stop selling these inhumane publications that support illegal activity. I received a response about free speech. Hey, I’m all for supporting freedom of speech, but supporting cruel and illegal activities? Come on! Don’t hide behind the first amendment to protect your profits.

Any person or corporation who promotes inhuman activities doesn’t deserve my business.

Learn more. Tell Amazon what you think. Don’t shop at Amazon.