Play music and dance in front of your dog. Encourage him to be silly and move a lot, it will burn the dog's energy and he will be calmer in the house
Have your cat chase feathers on a string ora battery operated mouse. Your cat will play in a predatory manner with his toys and will be less likely to play rough with you.
Jamie was seriously injured this summer when a bomb went off under her vehicle. Rex was there with her. She will soon return to active duty, but wants to adopt Rex. However, current law prohibits adoptions of combat dogs until they reach retirement age; for Rex, that could be another 5 to 10 years. It will literally take an act of Congress to change this law. You can read the full story here from the Washington Post. You can also sign an online petition here urging President Bush to support Congressional legislation that would allow Rex to be adopted by Jamie.
Several animals were killed after police say someone playing a prank let dogs and cats out of a humane society facility in victoria.
Police say late Monday night or early Tuesday morning someone jumped a fence and opened about one hundred cages.
14 cats and two small dogs were killed by other dogs.
Authorities say they will charge the suspect or suspects - if they're found - with a felony.
Officials at the Six Flags Humane Society say they will add more security to make sure something like this does not happen again.
Five of the burrowing rodents were found alive Saturday in a near-hibernation state, and two more were found Tuesday. Workers continued digging on Wednesday.
"They're in pretty good shape," said the zoo's executive director, Lewis Greene. "They were awake, but a little
sleepy-headed."
The prairie dogs' burrows collapsed last week. Zoo officials originally were going to let the rodents dig themselves out -- as some experts recommended -- but started the rescue operation following a public outcry.
"We do have quite a few people stopping by offering condolences," said Alison Swank, director of marketing. One child brought a stuffed bear to console zookeepers after he had heard of the collapse.
There were 13 prairie dogs when the exhibit opened 15 months ago. But since their lives take place mostly underground, officials said it was hard to know exactly how many were alive at the time of the collapse.
The remains of three were found during the rescue operation. Zoo officials believe they died before the exhibit collapsed, Swank said.
The rescued rodents are being kept in straw-packed cages indoors at the zoo.
My contact at Best Friends, Jason Watt, has asked for help recruiting for paid and volunteer staff for animal transport over the next 2 months. The program involves support for continuing rescue efforts in the New Orleans and Mississippi Gulf Coast region.
Animals are still being recovered, processed locally and then transported to no-kill shelters around the country, as local no-kills are at max capacity. Jason is responsible for assembling and managing the transport team, which has four specially-equipped trucks (14 to 24 feet cargo vans) ready to roll. Road expenses will be covered for all volunteers and staff.
- They are requesting a commitment of 4-8 weeks for the drivers of the four trucks (commercial license preferred but not mandatory). These are (modestly) paid positions.
- Each truck will be staffed with two volunteers willing to make a 1-2 week commitment. Animal care experience is preferred.
- The two large trucks will each need a chase vehicle with driver. They are looking for volunteers that can provide their own (or a donated) van or SUV. (fuel costs covered by Best Friends if not donated).
For those people with the time and desire for a serious road trip, this is a great opportunity to network with other no-kill operations around the country, make friends and save more pets!
Can you circulate this request? Best place to reply is to Jason at jason.command@bestfriends.org, with (optional) cc to me at jek.4@earthlink.net.
December 26, 2005
Updated pictures from the Conroe Pit Bull shot with an arrow
We have been blogging about that Pit Bull that was found in Conroe earlier this month, wandering around after some mean hearted person shot him through with an arrow. Good Samaritans took him in and vets took the arrow out. Being a Pit Bull, however, meant he would likely not be taken in by many humane groups. But - Leah Purcell and Spindletop Rescue came to the rescue!
Here's a picture of the newly renamed Cupid (nice name, huh?) at Spindletop Refuge with Pit Bull rescuer Leah Purcell, just minutes after he arrived on December 16th, still in bandages:
Here's the arrow vets took out of him: he had part of it sticking out of both sides of his abdomen. It's a Gold Tip 3555 Graphite Arrow. Still no word on whether invetigators have found the culprit.
Read on for the rest of the story from animal friend Zandra Anderson...
The Montgomery County Humane Society got him and treated him after he was found earlier this month. They also fell in love with him. After all he had been through, they wanted to save him, but are not allowed to adopt out pit bulls. Spindletop Refuge was contacted by Tess Keel, the MC Humane Society's Operations Manager and I got to go get him Saturday! I have been hoping we'd get this call because this is what I wanted for Christmas. Thanks Tess and the MC Humane Society!
This regal pit pup, an amazing survivor, rode quietly in my back seat occasionally raising up to look around, but mostly he just stretched out and snoozed. He is a very laid back, loving dog despite all he has been through.
Cupid is going to go to the vet to make sure he is okay. Pit bulls are so stoic, sometimes you just never know. Hey, he was walking around with an arrowthrough him while letting people pet him, so there is no guarantee something
else might not be going on.
An act of hate has drawn attention to the plight of the poor pit bull. Cupid will go onto be an ambassador for his breed because he is a love bug and will never be roaming the streets again. From now on, he will get the love,
attention and home he deserves!
If you would like to donate to Cupid's care and toys for him for Christmas, here's how:
PayPal: SPINDLETOPREFUGE@aol.com
Checks: Spindletop Refuge
PMB 106
10807 Jones Road
Houston, Texas 77065
No donation is too small. Put "CUPID" in the notation. All donations are tax deductible, so if you are looking for a year end deduction, Cupid would be a great one! Thank you so much! Zandra
December 22, 2005
Hopes fading for missing baby penguin
Zookeepers said hope was fading Thursday for a stolen baby penguin whose plight has captured the hearts of British animal lovers.
Toga, a 3-month-old jackass penguin, is believed to have been snatched Saturday from a pen at the Amazon World zoo, on the Isle of Wight, in southern England.
Veterinarians estimated the foot-high, brown-and-white penguin would survive only five days away from his parents because it refuses to be fed by human hand.
"I am very pessimistic. I think we have lost it, it has been too long," zoo owner Derek Curtis said.
An $8,750 reward has been put offered by local businesses and well-wishers for the return of the flightless bird, prompting several reports of sightings—none of which have been confirmed.
Zoo manager Kath Bright previously said she feared Toga had been stolen as a quirky Christmas gift, due to increased public interest in the creatures following the recent hit film "March of the Penguins." She has said he was far too small to have escaped from his enclosure on his own.
Toga is too young to have yet had a gender confirmed but traditionally is referred to as a male, she said.
December 22, 2005
Baby panda ventures outside
At the tender age of five months, the National Zoo's panda cub on Thursday ventured into the outside world for the first time.
With his mom looking on, Tai Shan took his first steps outside his indoor habitat, where he walked along the side fences and the back wall, then summoned up the courage to go to the center of the yard, where mother Mei Xiang was munching bamboo.
Tai Shan eventually spent two hours in the morning chill, climbing on some fallen tree limbs and following his mother around. All the while, his dad, Tian Tian, was fast asleep in the outside exhibit next door, the zoo said in a statement.
December 22, 2005
Kirby's hospital visit brings Christmas cheer
This is the time of year when family can be even more important than usual, and separation can be especially difficult.
But one group makes the holidays a little easier for those who are separated from four-legged family members.
Watch Nancy Holland's 11 News report
Kirby is going for a Christmas visit.
He isn't going far, but the trip will go a long way toward making the holidays easier.
For more than six weeks, heart and circulation problems have confined Bari Bodden to the Methodist Hospital, kept her away from the only family she has here — Kirby.
"He's a little boy in a dog suit is what he is," Bodden said.
The "little boy" dropped in to visit her thanks to PAWS Houston -- a non-profit organization that arranges for a patient's own pet to visit.
"It's good for body, mind, soul, everything," Bodden said. "Because all those weeks I couldn't see him, it dragged on me."
PAWS Founder Donna Dishman can quote studies about the benefits people's pets can bring, but she didn't really need to see those studies.
"I have my own dogs, and I know every day that the love that they give to us," Dishman said.
She likes bringing the comfort that comes with soft fur and a wagging tail.
Each hospital visit has its own story, like the one about the man who had the stroke and spoke for the first time when he saw his dog.
If there is anything hard, it is when the visits must end.
"This is... this is very special," Bodden said.
Seeing such joy is what keeps the people at PAWS doing it all year.
For more information, check out PAWS Web site.
December 22, 2005
Desperate need for litter
The Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) shelter has put out an urgent call for kitty litter.
CAP says the hurricane season has taken its toll and their litter supply is running very low.
CAP uses only clay litter -- not the expensive clumping kind.
If anyone wants to donate, drop the litter off at 11925 Katy Freeway. That's on the south side of I-10 between Kirkwood and Dairy Ashford.
The shelter is open Monday thru Friday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday 11 to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 6 p.m.
CAP is also offering a holiday two-fur special of two cats or kittens for the price of one.
For more information, call 281-497-0591.
December 21, 2005
Baby penguin stolen from British Zoo
A baby penguin stolen from a British zoo, possibly as a quirky holiday gift, is unlikely to survive until Christmas Day.
That's according to Isle of Wight zoo manager Kath Bright, who says Toga, a 3-month-old jackass penguin, was stolen Saturday from Amazon World on the Isle of Wight.
Watch CBS report on missing penguin
Bright says the bird, taken from a compound where he lived with his parents and four other penguins, will probably die of malnutrition if not urgently returned.
"Toga is very, very vulnerable. The penguin is still being fed by his parents and we don't believe it could survive more than five days," she told The Associated Press.
"The bird has already been missing for around three days and is likely to be severely dehydrated. If he isn't returned before Thursday, he is likely to become so ill that even intensive care treatment won't save him."
The brown-and-white penguin will bite if frightened and refuses to be fed by human hand, Bright said. Toga is too young to have yet had a gender confirmed but traditionally is referred to as a male, she added.
There was no sign of forced entry to the pen, but a thief would have been able to climb into the compound and carry Toga away, Bright said.
"We can't understand what may have been going through the thief's head, but we are worried someone decided a penguin would make the perfect Christmas gift," she added. "There has been a lot of attention because of the film 'March of the Penguins.' Perhaps someone saw the film and thought their wife or girlfriend would be thrilled to have one as a present."
The French movie was a box-office hit and has been credited with drawing tourists to penguin-spotting sites across the world.
December 20, 2005
Pet photographer to the stars
Pet owners often collect snapshots of their animals as they would any member of their family. Some go even further and commission a professional portrait photographer.
The Early Show resident veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner visited one such photographer, Jim Dratfield, who happens to be in high demand.
Celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Laura Dern and Billy Joel have all had their pets sit for Dratfield, whose sessions start at $1,000. But he insists he's really in it for the love of animals.
Watch the CBS Early Show story on Dratfield
December 20, 2005
HFD gets props from PETA
The Houston Fire Department is getting an award from PETA for a controversial cat rescue.
A Houston woman called 911 recently saying her 2-year-old "baby" was trapped. Upon arrival, the firefighters learned that "Baby" was the name of a cat.
The cat was rescued.
"They said they were desperate, didn't know what else to do," Houston Fire Department Captain Keith Ellery said. "It is not the type of rescue we normally do ... but on this particular incident, we felt compelled to kind of help them out."
For its efforts, the department will receive the Compassionate Lifesafer award from PETA.
"We commend the Houston Fire Department for extending its emergency services to all those in need without regard to race, color, creed or species," said PETA Director Daphna Nachminovitch. "The compassionate actions of Houston's firefighters are a welcome example of how a government agency can use resources to help people and the animals they cherish."
December 20, 2005
A good match for Cupid
A pit bull mix that survived being shot through the chest with an arrow has lucked out again with a new home.
The dog was found wandering the streets of Conroe earlier this month with an arrow through its upper body.
Vets at the Montgomery County Humane Society successfully removed the metal arrow.
The dog is now living at the Spindletop Refuge where abused dogs of all breeds go for rehabilitation.
The dog was named Cupid by his caretakers. They say he's doing just fine.
December 17, 2005
Runnin' dog
And while we're on the subject of exercise, here's a pooch after my own heart. This little Jack Russell Terrier used to watch his Mama run on a treadmill, so he decided to get in on the act. Now he runs alongside her while they both watch the news on TV (good boy!)
Watch the video here
December 17, 2005
Plump penguins need to lose some weight
The holidays can be a nightmare for people trying to watch their weight (more sugar cookies, please!) but the winter months can also be a problem for potentially pudgy penguins in Japan. The King Penguins at the Asahiyama Zoo go for walks twice a day on the grounds, during the months between December until April.
The penguins have tender webbed feet and can only walk significant distances on snow, so they only hotfoot it during the colder months.
Be inspired by their walking workout here.
December 16, 2005
Happy Pawlidays...
Posting will be sporadic over the next week. I will be busy celebrating the holiday with friends and family. I'll be checking in periodically and attempting to catch up on the blog posts I still haven't had time to get posted!
December 16, 2005
Getting a puppy/cat for Christmas? Here are my two cents...
I know, I know it's popular. I know at least one mother whose little girl has been begging for a puppy for the past year - and she's finally getting one for Christmas. I know how adorable those little suckers are when they're wrapped in a bow and presented as a holiday gift.
All of this makes me worried.
I'll be the first to stand in line to praise the efforts of shelters and the willingness of potential adopters to save a homeless animal from a shelter. However, it's those same adopters who, once they've brought their animal home and realized it's a)growing into a bigger dog/cat that is eating/urinating on my furniture, b)won't sit when I tell him to and just can't be trained or c)costs way too much money for all of the veterinary care, are more than happy to return the animal to a shelter or worse, abandon it entirely.
My two cents on this issue: don't bring a pup/kitten home as a surprise. If you want a holiday pet, make it a family decision. Do research on the type of breed that will work for you. Check on veterinary costs and immunizations. Who will be in charge of training/exercising/bathing?
This can best be summed up in a poem on CAP's web pages. Read and consider it before making that snap holiday gift decision.
December 16, 2005
I hate hoaxes!
I do my best to put the kibosh on email hoaxes/rumors that come my way, but I was "had" by this one: an email with this very adorable picture of some Golden Retriever puppies that were supposedly up for adoption, and would be euthanized if no one could take them. Worried, I emailed a friend at Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue, who quickly reassured me that this was a HOAX. Thank goodness! You can see the entire explanation at the always reliable Snopes.com website.
December 16, 2005
Designer dogs?
No, they're not your typical mutts. These designer dogs are specially created mutts. Breeders are now creating "designer dogs" by crossing standard breeds to make dogs like Labradoodles, Cockapoos, and Schnoodles. They're definitely cute and in demand. The breeder our reporter spoke with says some of her puppies run as high as $1500 apiece. You can watch the story here. It ran in our 5 o'clock news Thursday afternoon.
Not long afterward, I received two emails from animal rescue workers who were outraged about the new fad:
"I know they're trendy now, but the "designer dogs" will be tomorrow's rescues. "
"To think that an individual could get attention for breeding mutts and selling them for $1500 is a slap in the face of all humane welfare workers and volunteers. I was glad to hear though the vet saying that people get the same thing from the SPCA - thank goodness for that part of the story....For every dog Carla breeds - a shelter pet loses its life."
What do you think?
December 16, 2005
Dog snatching caught on tape!
Florida police solved a canine caper with the help of surveillance video. It shows a girl stuffing a puppy inside her purse and walking out of the pet store. Two other girls were also seen helping her. Someone identifed the pet pincher and the Chihuahua was returned. This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Last month, a man stuffed a miniature pinscher in his pants and walked out. He too was caught. Watch the video here.
December 15, 2005
I'd like some deer with that orange smoothie, please..
And then there's the deer who shocked everyone in a Florida smoothie shop when it bounded through the front window. It was caught on the store's security tape. No people were hurt. The deer was tranqulized and released to the wild. You can watch that video here.
December 15, 2005
Do monkeys REALLY belong in human homes?
Go behind the scenes of Oregon Primate Rescue.... where caring volunteers look after primates - some with mental health issues. Many of the animals here are rejects - turned over by owners who got tired of looking after them. Watch the video here
December 13, 2005
Not your typical Christmas Carol
No, these holiday singers aren't the usual chorus of joyous voices ushering in the holiday season. Watch them here.
December 12, 2005
Houston City audit of BARC
Houston City Controller Annise Parker ordered an audit of BARC, the city's Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care. More specifically, it looks at the communications center: from the hardware and software used, to the communication between dispatchers and Animal Control Officeres (ACOs). Among the results:
- a majority of telecommunications employees and ACOs are dissatisfied with their compensation and lack of training
- any employee logged into the system has access to all information in the database, including cash and accounting information
- the computer software used to track cases is obsolete, and no upgrade is available
Some of the comments from the employees interviewed show a lack of morale on the job. You can read the entire report here.
December 12, 2005
Locate your lost Katrina pet event in New Orleans
Best Friends is hosting a "Locate Your Lost Katrina Pet" event in New Orleans from December 16-18.
We know it has been difficult, or even impossible, for families who are missing their pets to navigate all of the available resources. This event will allow you to search in one place for your missing pets. We will set up banks of computers and give families the opportunity to work with reunion specialists to search for their pets - first come-first served basis.
VOLUNTEERS / RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS: What to Bring:
- Your Katrina Pet databases & hardcopy records that supplement the
information provided on Petfinder
- A representative(s) of your organization knowledgeable and proficient in using these records
- Laptops with wireless capability
We also need people who are very proficient in using the Petfinder database, as computers will be available for the public to use in their search. We welcome those reunion specialists who have successfully been reuniting Katrina pets with their families to join us.
Where:
Garden District Hotel
2203 St. Charles Avenue (corner of Jackson and St. Charles Avenues)
New Orleans, LA 70130
University Conference Room
For reservations, call: 504-566-1200
Go to http://www.gardendistricthotel.com/specials.html for rates.
When:
Friday, December 16 - 10am - 6pm
Saturday, December 17 - 10am - 6pm
Sunday, December 18 - 1pm - 6pm
Free parking in the rear of the hotel
Airport Shuttle available - $10 per person per trip each way
The Hampton Inn and Quality Inn are down the street. Their rates may be lower, but availability may be limited.
Please let me know how many representatives your organization will send to participate in this event.
Thank you for your support and for all you are doing to help the displaced pets of Katrina.
Ms. Alix McMurray
Case Manager, Lost & Found Task Force
Hurricane Relief Project
Best Friends Animal Society
5001 Angel Canyon Road
Kanab, Utah 84741
435) 644-3965 Ext. 4540
Lostandfound8@bestfriends.org
http://www.bestfriends.org
December 12, 2005
How important are pets to their people? Read on...
This is a heartbreaking post from Eric's Dog Blog about a distraught pet owner who was separated from his dog during the Katrina evacuations...
December 12, 2005
Poll: Joss Stone is world's best celebrity dog owner
NEW YORK - When it comes to celebrity dog-parenting skills, Joss Stone is tops and Paris Hilton is the worst, according to an online poll of readers of two dog magazines.
Stone, who has a poodle named Dusty Springfield, volunteered for the North Shore Animal League America after seeing images of pets stranded in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Wilma, said The New York Dog and The Hollywood Dog magazines, which conducted the poll.
The 18-year-old British singer also recorded a public service announcement seeking support for the homeless pets of the Gulf Coast.
You can get the rest of the story here.
December 12, 2005
Dallas man faces year in jail for kitten abuse
A 33-year-old man who abused kittens in the front yard of his Old East Dallas home was sentenced to one year in jail Monday.
Witnesses said Edward Pinales was throwing the approximately 10-week-old kittens against a concrete drainage ditch in the 4600 block of Manet Street before he was arrested in April 2005.
Read more about it here.
December 12, 2005
Sound of Dog's 'Laugh' Calms Other Pooches
Researchers at the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service in Washington state say sometimes a bark is just a bark — but a long, loud panting sound has real meaning.
They say the long, loud pant is the sound of a dog laughing, and it has a direct impact on the behavior of other dogs.
Read the rest of the article here.
December 12, 2005
Family evicted after letter to editor about dogs
CONROE, Texas (AP) -- A letter to the editor has resulted in a
family being evicted from their Lake Conroe home because of their
nearly 15 hunting dogs.
Robustiano Hernandez and his two daughters have to move out by
January first.
A neighbor wrote a letter to The Courier in Conroe --
complaining about the family's dogs, saying they were pit bulls
that kept getting loose.
But Rosvaldo Hernandez says neighbor Diane Moore was mistaken
because his family's dogs are not pit bulls, vicious or running
loose in the neighborhood.
He thinks the woman is talking about some different dogs.
The dogs -- Catahoula or Curr breeds -- are used to hunt feral
hogs.
Montgomery County Animal Control was contacted three times about
the dogs since May, including citations for lack of rabies
vaccinations for the animals.
The family subsequently provided proof of vaccinations.
December 7, 2005
Git along, little doggies! Cockers head to South Carolina from Texas
These photos came to me from Allie Clark with Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas-Houston, along with this message:
We transported 10 of our cocker kids that came in from the hurricane to other rescue groups. Wildlife refuge went to magnolia and picked the 10 up and transported them to Alabama. Two rescue groups picked up five each from there and transported to Georgia and South Carolina. The rescue groups there have no cocker spaniels if you can believe that one!!!! We checked them all out and they work the same way we do with home checks (and) foster homes.
This is from Wally of South Carolina Cocker Rescue, who received five of the dogs..
I have never in all my years of rescue seen such a wonderful group of cockers. Cocker Rescue of Houston certainly DOES IT RIGHT. These guys were impeccable even after a 1000 mile journey. They are beautiful, happy, physically fit and inquisitive. Did I say inquisitive? Oh Lord!
We have a fairly large home on 1/4 acre with a large fenced in backyard. These guys would put Marco Polo to shame as their search is endless.
The arrival
Let us out!
In my mind... I'm going to Carolina!
I have had NO time to take personal pics yet. I've hardly gotten any
sleep as ALL wanted to jump in bed and toss and turn and get down and
get up and see what that is and listen for whatever that sound was.
My guys quickly beat a retreat to John's room and spent the night in
quiet reserve wonder what in God's name we'd done to them. The meet and greet was a flurry of fur and running around.
These guys should have no problem at all, 4 boys and 1 girl came here
and the same went to Debi in Albany, Georgia. The little girl Melody,
crawled up in my arms, gave me a kiss and declared me hers. Such a
wonderful feeling since the passing of my two girls earlier this year.
I am elated.
The one thing that I hadn't anticipated was the fact that these guys are all so wonderful that I am going to have a difficult time letting them go. I have alot more pics and will take some individuals today and post later.
By the way... did I mention these new guys don't bark???? Maybe they're just speechless at the moment?
December 7, 2005
Barney Cam
Barney and Miss Beazley, the resident dogs at the White House, are out with their latest holiday video. Keep an eye out for cameos by the President and First Lady. You can watch it here.
December 7, 2005
Eric is updating again from Louisiana
Hurricane season is officially over but the storms continue for many of the pet victims. One bright spot: remember this pup?
He's been found! Read more on Eric's blog..
December 7, 2005
Help us find Mila
Something funky is going on with my lost and found pets page, so I'm posting reports of lost pets here.
This is a flyer from a family looking for their dog Mila. Click on it to enlarge the picture for easier reading..
December 7, 2005
Then there's this cat who used up eight of his nine lives...
Because he - Louis - was trapped in a refrigerator for four weeks without food and water. The family's four year old up in Oklahoma put him in a fridge to "keep him safe." From what, we don't know. Louis was 10 pounds but lost seven during his ordeal. Still, vets are saying he'll be just fine. Here's that story..
December 7, 2005
Dog in Conroe found with arrow through him
This just made me sick. This is video of a poor pit bull mix up who was found wandering around Conroe, shot through with an arrow. Fortunately, animal control officers were able to safely retreive him, and a vet removed the arrow. No one knows who on earth would do this to this poor dog. We've been told if his owner doesn't come forward, they'll try to place him with a sanctuary..
December 6, 2005
"Greenies" manuracturer sued
The following is from a press release about a lawsuit filed against the manufacturer of the popular "Greenies" dog treats...
The popular dog treat sold under the name "Greenies" is the subject of a lawsuit filed November 30, 2005, with the Supreme Court of the State of New York. The complaint contends that the product, manufactured by Missouri-based S&M NuTec, is unsafe, inadequately labeled, and ultimately caused the death of the plaintiff's 4-year old dog, named Burt.
S&M NuTec has made claims that Greenies are "highly digestible," and the product comes with packaging statements such as "100% edible" and "veterinarian approved!" Given these claims, the plaintiffs were stunned by the cause of death of their family member Burt, a rescued Miniature Dachshund. Burt died this summer after an undigested portion of a Greenies dog treat became lodged in his intestinal tract. In an attempt to save his life, Burt underwent emergency surgery that resulted in the removal of over 3 feet of dead intestinal tissue along with the cause of the obstruction: an undigested piece of a Greenie. Despite the necessary surgical procedure, Burt died 48 hours after the surgery with the plaintiffs, Ms. Jennifer Reiff and Mr. Michael Eastwood, by his side.
Billed by S&M NuTec, as a way to "promote healthy teeth and gums," Greenies are an enormously popular dog treat sold by most pet supply stores. The plaintiffs have prepared the following statement:
"Our dog didn't choke to death on the product. He died from it not digesting and obstructing his intestines. We followed their instructions. Burt was always supervised and he always chewed his Greenies well. Yet he died a painful, horrible death. We believe that S&M NuTec chooses to blame the dogs or their owners instead of taking responsibility. Many owners have come forward and shared their similar experiences, leading us to believe that the company is very much aware of the problem."
Ms. Reiff and Mr. Eastwood allege the "benefits" of Greenies do not outweigh the risks associated with the product. The indigestibility of Greenies is a defect, and had the manufacturer adequately warned of its dangers, the couple would not have provided the treat to Burt, thereby avoiding the cause of his death.
For more information about the suit, head to http://www.burtscause.com/
December 6, 2005
Zeke Fund's Weekly pet!
December 6, 2005
Sorry about the blog posting drought..
I've been out of the office but am back now, trying to get back to emails and updating animal stories. Thank you for your patience!
December 6, 2005
Keep your pets warm during the Houston winter!
From the Houston SPCA:
With the dog days of summer a distant memory, now is the time to bone up on how to make winter safe and comfortable for your pet.
Housing - It is important to provide your pet with proper shelter. If your dog or cat lives in the house, place his bed or crate in a warm, safe place, away from drafts. Make sure outdoor pets have a well-insulated house that is both water and windproof. The house should be elevated off the ground so moisture cannot seep inside. Install a door flap to protect against blustery drafts and gusts of wind. Extra blankets and even straw will increase your pet's comfort and warmth.
Antifreeze - A tiny lick of antifreeze off a driveway or gutter can kill your dog or cat. Antifreeze, which contains ethylene glycol, attracts pets with its sweet smell and taste. Check to make sure your car is not leaking antifreeze. Clean up any spills immediately and keep containers tightly closed and stored in a safe place away from your pets.
Food - Because cold weather depletes an animal's energy, outdoor pets may need to consume 25 to 50 percent more calories than usual. Talk to your veterinarian about what is right for your pet.
Water - Although the weather may be wet and cold, your pet still needs
fresh, clean water available to them at all times.
Warmth - While thick-furred breeds like Huskies and Malamutes may enjoy Houston's short-lived winter, smaller short-haired dogs have less tolerance for lower temperatures. Even short-haired big dogs like Dobermans and Boxers can become cold. Consider a sweater for winter walks if necessary.
The Houston SPCA asks pet owners to be especially mindful of their animalsduring the winter. For more information please contact Heidi Brasher, the Houston SPCA Community Outreach Manager at 713-869-7722, x127 or 713.598.3448.
 |
Animal Attraction Blog:
Mar 2008
| Su |
Mo |
Tu |
We |
Th |
Fr |
Sa |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
| 2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
| 9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
| 16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
| 23 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
| 30 |
31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
