AP Photo/Jaime Pham

courtesy Saving Animals

Fagan the Red Panda
Courtesy the Kansas
City Zoo

"HDHHS reminds the public that it is canine distemper season and dogs should receive annual vaccinations to ensure protection from the disease. Distemper is a contagious, often fatal, viral disease that affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous system. Dogs that survive the disease usually have lifelong health problems. Early symptoms of distemper include fever, runny nose, eye discharge, lack of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting.

HDHHS recommends that people take their dogs to a veterinarian if they notice any of the symptoms. Vaccination works well even in animals that have already been exposed to the virus, if it is administered within four days of exposure. Infected dogs shed the virus through bodily secretions and excretions, especially respiratory secretions. The primary mode of transmission is airborne viral particles breathed in by dogs."

February 22, 2006

Golfing Fore Goldens

If you know me or you've read this blog for any amount of time you KNOW I'm a sucker for Goldens. As such, I have to let you all know about this upcoming golf tournament coming up on March 14th:

February 22, 2006

A great story about an Owner/Breeder and a rescue group going above and beyond the call of duty!

Tell me this isn't the face of a happy dog and owner! Here's a great story from Vickey Willard of Houston Collie Rescue.. about a dog named Liza:

"Houston Collie Rescue received word that there was a stray senior collie at the Henderson County Animal Control. With nearby Dallas rescue groups full, HCR member Megan Delozier jumped into action for the long 8-hour round trip.

Once home, Megan called me with the collie's condition and personality details, but also that she had observed a tattoo inside her inner thigh. I recognized the number to be an AKC registered number and instructed Megan on how to look this info up in the AKC database. There, Megan found all of this collie's history and we were able to do a computer search on the owner. I contacted the AKC registered owner/breeder who was very surprised and helpful with all of the dog's history info.

The dogs’ name was “Liza”. Surprisingly, Liza came all the way from Maryland. Sharon Mullaney, owner/breeder a few years back, had placed Liza with a family who had moved from Maryland to Texas. Sharon immediately said she would be more than willing to come get Liza and bring her back home to live with them. Though Liza is a senior girl, she seemed very healthy, HW (heartworm) negative and super sweet. HCR had her groomed, vaccinations and teeth cleaned.

February 21, 2006

British Penguin parents have a new chick

Remember the baby penguin stolen from a British Zoo (story here) before Christmas? The wee one was never found, and sadly presumed dead, and his parents at the Amazon World Zoo Park spent days searching their nesting area for the lost chick Before long, however, they started courting again, and wouldn't you know.. they soon had a new egg. Mom Kyala and Dad Oscar took turns keeping the egg warm, and on Valentine's Day, the new chick hatched.

The sex of the chick is still unknown, and does not yet have a name. Mom and Dad will only let the chick out of their sight for a few moments here and there, and only in the hands of a keeper.

You can see the video here, as well as the rest of the story here on CBSNews.com.

February 21, 2006

New baby gorilla

Watch the video here

There's a new baby gorilla at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It's been ten years since a birth like this and the public got its first look at the tiny creature Monday.

Zoo staffers are hoping the mom, Kwisha, will take care of her baby on her own. But if not, zookeepers will be ready to offer some help.

There will be a contest to name the gorilla born on last Saturday. West African names are suggested as gorillas are native to that part of the world.

February 21, 2006

It's not just people running the Austin Marathon...

No, we saw some deer, too (watch the video here). I say "we" because I was up in Austin this past weekend to run the half marathon. We and the Austin Marathon runners were all lined up at the Freescale building to start the race. The gun went off at 7:35 in the morning, and as we rounded a curve, people started whispering "Look! There's a deer!" I thought, "Uh.. sure..." until I looked to my left and THERE IT WAS.. a deer bounding around the mass of humanity that surely must have scared the daylights out of it.

Turns out we did scare it - enough to jump right into the crowd and knock over an unsuspecting runner. The 45 year old dentist says he was pretty shocked after being bowled over.. but he and the deer both got up and continued on their merry way.

February 21, 2006

Task force recommends pets be included in disaster plans

Encouraging news from Austin for Texas pets: a state task force reviewing Texas evacuation plans following the Rita traffic jam nightmare has come up with recommendations to streamline the process next time.. if there *is* a next time. Aside from the logistical suggestions of having the governor in charge of calling evacuations, providing enough fuel for drivers, and making accomodations for special needs evacuees such as the elderly and disabled, the report also recommends implementing a shelter plan for our pets! It reads:

"The State of Texas sheltered more than 200,000 companion animals during Hurricane Rita. This demonstrates the need for a comprehensive plan to address the evacuation and sheltering needs of pet owners. Texans should never face the choice of either evacuating to safety, or remaining with their pet in a hurrican's path."

You can read the entire report here. You can also read the entire press release from the Governor's office about the task force report here.

February 21, 2006

Psychics join search for missing dog

NEW YORK (AP) -- With few physical clues to the whereabouts of an escaped show dog, the hunt for the award-winning whippet has entered another realm.

About 12 psychics are counseling searchers as they check the heated cargo buildings near where Vivi escaped from a travel cage at Kennedy International Airport, Paul Lepiane, the dog's co-owner, told Newsday for Tuesday editions.

"They are telling us that she is alive and they are telling us she is warm," said Honi Reisman, a friend of the dog's owners. "They are saying she's in a building - but there are hundreds of buildings."

According to breeder Bo Bengtson, the animal bolted across the tarmac last week at 25 mph as workers chased her on foot and in three cars. The 3-year-old whippet, also known as Champion Bohem C'est La Vie, nosed into a marsh area and disappeared.

The dog's escape came within days of winning an award of merit at the Westminster Kennel Club show, the nation's most prestigious.

Lepiane said dog droppings consistent with the 30-pound whippet's were found Monday behind an airport cargo building. He has announced a $5,000 reward for Vivi.

© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.

February 20, 2006

Want to fly your animals cross country? Check airline safety reports!

From my trusty source at Citizens for Animal Protection:

February 20, 2006

Old English Bulldog puppies stolen

David Barder from Santa Fe needs help finding his daughter's stolen puppies:

"Please help us find our 5 yr. old daughter's dogs. We bought our daughter two $1500 dogs (Olde English Bulldogges) and they were stolen
from our home last night between 11pm and 8am. If you can, please show them, please. She is in tears and I don't know what else to do for her. Please help!!!"

You can contact David at 409-316-1505.

February 20, 2006

He's a fat cat - for real

Watch the video here

Being a pampered pet with an easy life has made a cat in China very, very fat. Weighing a whopping 33 pounds, the nine-year-old cat, astonishingly, still enjoys good health. This feline monster, from Qingdao, Shandong Province, has a waist measurement of 31.5 inches.

The cat is so heavy it needs the help of its owner to get onto a bed so expecting him to fulfil his cat duties, such as catching mice, might be a bit much...it would seem catching a nap, using his own little blanket and pillow, is the extent of his skills!

The cat's owner maintains a healthy appetite is to blame for the state of his cat's belly. The cat has, according to his owner, no interest in fish, preferring to eat six pounds of chicken and port each day.

This fat cat is not alone in his weight problem - like their human counterparts, obesity has become a serious problem for the modern cat, primarily due to a lack of exercise and a richer diet. Cats are susceptible to a range of illnesses including kidney trouble and diabetes, if they are allowed to remain overweight.

February 17, 2006

Update on horse cruelty case in Louisiana

Here's an update on the filly with the halter embedded in her face , thanks to Debra Barlow of Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue:

72 year old Millard Melvin pleaded guilty go a charged of cruelty to an animal. He was sentenced to six months jail - the sentence suspended - two years probation, and must pay restitution of $1086. The judge also told him he can't own a dog, cat, or "even be caught with a squirrel" for the next two years.

The filly, named Atta Girl, is now in the care of Hopeful Haven. She'd been haltered when she was only three months old, and it was never adjusted. When she was rescued, the halter was embedded so deep it had to be surgically removed.

To sponsor Atta Girl, send donations to HHERO, P.O. Box 17763, Shreveport, La. 71138.

February 17, 2006

Looking for truckers coming from North Carolina!

Debra Barlow of Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue is looking for a Good Samaritan trucker to haul some hay. She writes:

"Need hay hauled from Lexington, NC to Erath, La for ranchers and farmers afflicted from the Hurricane. Salt water has devastated grazing areas. Cattle and horses are being held in holding pens through the winter months while the ranchers wait to see if the rains wash off the salt content. Please help get the hay here. I have 1300 square bales waiting to be hauled. Don't drive empty...Get a tax donation for your efforts. Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue is a 501C3 Non profit dedicated to "rebuilding broken spirits". Won't you help today????"

Contact Debra via email or by phone at 318-286-3116.

February 17, 2006

HBO Documentary "Dealing Dogs"

This release comes from HBO:

February 17, 2006

This dog's doing the MS 150..

I've seen plenty of dogs out running with their owners in Memorial Park, but this is the first time I've heard of a dog out riding a bicycle... sort of. Magnum, a handsome German Shepherd, rode with his owner Tim during the BP MS 150 Bike tour last year, and he's coming back for more. Here's the email I received from Magnum:

"Every year my owner Tim rides the MS 150, and I go to the kennel... It's a bummer!! The MS 150 is a great charity bicycle ride that raises millions of dollars for Multiple Sclerosis Research. The ride starts in Houston and travels 170 miles through the Texas hill country to Austin in just two days. It's a dog-gone long ride with lots
of killer hills.

Last year Tim agreed to take me with him as a member of the DOW CHEMICAL
cycling team. He pulled me 157 miles and it was a lot of fun. This year Tim promises to pull me the entire 170 miles IF I CAN GET YOUR PLEDGE!

I really like riding and the training is hard, but, fun too. We are now riding 75-100 miles a week. It's tough and we now add an extra 10 miles every week until the ride in April. I've cut back on my Milk-bones, eat dry dog food (YUK!) and do everything possible to keep my weight under 100 lbs. I'm learning to behave very well and Tim gave-up trying to stop me from cheering (Barking) at all the cyclists.

I just wish Tim could pull us faster. The MS150 is a great cause and when you consider that the trailer and I weigh almost 120 lbs, it's a tremendous physical challenge."

If you're interested in sponsoring Magnum, email his owner at combinedrefrigeratio@prodigy.net.

February 17, 2006

Adopt a pet at the Mall of the Mainland

Thanks to reader Sheila for letting me know about this article in the Galveston County Daily News.. Briefly - The Friends of Galveston County Animal Shelter has a storefront at the Mall of the Mainland, where the group is adoptiing out pets from noon to four on weekends. Click here for the full article from the Daily News.

February 17, 2006

Doggy Dash this Saturday

Calling all runners: Bundle up and bring your dog to Sam Houston Park Saturday for the PAWS Doggy Dash.

February 16, 2006

Search called off for missing showdog..

CBS ran a story today about Vivi, the show dog whippet who escaped from her kennel yesterday at JFK airport after the Westminster Kennel Club dog show - you can watch it here - but no one has seen her since. Here's more from the Associated Press:

NEW YORK (AP) -- The search for a show dog that got loose at Kennedy Airport was called off Thursday, but officers in the area will continue to "keep their eyes open" for the wayward whippet, officials said.

In the past 24 hours, "the searchers covered the entire airport property of nearly 5,000 acres but did not spot the dog," said Alan Hicks, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The 3-year-old whippet, formally known as Champion Bohem C'est La Vie and answering to Vivi, had won an award of merit in the annual Westminster Kennel Club show this week. The dog apparently escaped her travel cage on the tarmac Wednesday as she was about to be loaded onto a plane for the flight home to California.

February 16, 2006

Missing dog trainer/prison volunteer suspected of helping prisoner escape

Have you received any of the emails circulating about Toby Young, a 48 year old dog trainer and prison volunteer whose van was taken during a prison escape? Many of Toby's friends at Safe Harbor Prison Dogs were worried sick that she'd been abducted when 27-year-old prisoner John Manard escaped.

Now authorities are saying Toby actually helped the inmate. They say she stuffed into a dog crate and took off with him in the volunteer van. Two guards who were supposed to check the van didn't, likely because they trusted Toby.

But investigators say Toby took two guns and more than 10 thousand in cash from her house, bought a car and rented a storage area, along with products that could alter her or Manard's apparance.

Here's more on the story from USAToday.com.

February 16, 2006

Are you missing a bull?

If you are, HPD is looking for you. Officers ended up playing cowboy on the Sam Houston Parkway around Pearland yesterday when they had to chase after a loose bull. They eventually cornered him in a field off Beltway 8. They're trying to use tags now to track down the owner. Here's the video..

February 16, 2006

And here's an update on the teen accused of beating his goat..

I just called over to the HSPCA to find out what happened to the goat in this case: his young high school aged owner was caught on tape allegedly beating the goat. The HSPCA took him to civil court to gain custody of the goat; it did, and I'm happy to say the goat was adopted out to a family up around the Dallas area. As for any potential criminal charges against the goat's former owner, Alice with the HSPCA says they were not pursued since the HSPCA won the civil case.

February 15, 2006

Missing dog from the WKC Dog Show

Where's the Whippet? Vivy the Whippet - who picked up an award of merit at the WKC Dog Show - escaped from her crate at JFK Airport in New York today. She'd been booked on a Delta flight to head home to Ojai, California. The search is on.. If I get updates, I'll let you know..

February 15, 2006

The egghead wins the big prize

Yes, it was his egghead that wowed the judge in last night's Best in Show judging for the 130th annual Westminster Kennel Club dog show. Champion Rocky Top's Sundance Kid, also known as Rufus the colored Bull Terrier, is America's Top Dog.

Rufus made an appearance this morning on The Early Show on CBS. You can see the video and more galleries from the dog show here.

February 15, 2006

The Chron's story on Huntsville's No-Kill Shelter - UPDATED

Wanted to update this on 3/1/06 with a tidbit sent in by reader Mindi: The Bay Area SPCA, located at 3000 Ave R (just off Hwy 146) in San Leon, TX, is a no-kill facility. If you are interested in volunteering or helping out in any way, the phone number to the shelter is 281-339-2086.

In a perfect world, all pet shelters would be no-kill shelters. Wait - let me rephrase that. In a perfect world there would not be a need for pet shelters. But, we're living in reality here, and no-kill shelters (places that only euthanize if the nothing can be done to alleviate a pet's pain) are few and far between. But, the Chronicle has a lovely article today about The Little Women Home for Animals up in Huntsville, run by Vietnam vet whose golden retirement years have turned into days of devotion to his animals. It's a great story about Carlos Arreola, who's taken this burden on himself. It also has a nice list of other area no-kill shelters (on the right upper hand side of the page) to which you can refer.

Check out the Chronicle's story here.

February 15, 2006

ATF dog dies while on patrol in Houston

From the Houston Chronicle and reporter Eric Hanson, we're hearing an ATF dog who specialized in sniffiing out explosives died at the George R. Brown Convention Center. His handler says the Lab suddenly bolted off the side of a ramp - perhaps chasing after a bird.

You can read the rest of the story at the Chronicle's website here.

February 14, 2006

Dogs, beautiful dogs!

It is day two of the Westminster Kennel Club dog show: Last night a Rottweiler won best of the Working group, which I thought was pretty cool, since my dog Bailey is part Rottie. Tonight will also be fun to watch, because the Sporting Group goes up tonight and my favorite breed, the Golden Retreiver, will be showing his stuff. What's even cooler is that you can now watching the breed judging online! I found the Golden video here, but you can watch all of the breed judging from this page; just check on the left side of the page for your particular breed's group, and you'll find a list of all of the links.

February 13, 2006

Westminster dogs dealing with the blizzard, too!

Young and spry, Lashes trotted out the hotel door, headed toward Madison Square Garden - and plopped right into a snowdrift. Suddenly, the little Chinese Shar-Pei from Louisiana was over her head.

"She's never seen snow before," owner Lisa Myers said Sunday. "She's not too fond of it."

A day before America's most prestigious dog show started, Westminster took on a different feel because of the record-setting storm. Central Park, where a lot of contestants like to take a last-minute walk, was blanketed with 2 feet of snow.

Yet even with the area's three major airports shut and driving treacherous, a lot of this year's 2,622 entries already made it to town.

Read the rest of the WKC show dog story here.

February 13, 2006

Low cost spay/neuter clinic open in Galveston County

From Denise Warren, President, Animal Alliance of Galveston County, Inc.

"A dream five years in the making will come true in March 2006 when the first low cost spay/neuter clinic opens in Galveston County. Animal Alliance of Galveston County, Inc., founder of the clinic, will celebrate the opening with a parade and day of festivities on March 4. Animal Alliance Low Cost Spay & Neuter Clinic will provide pet sterilization to area pet owners at a fraction of the usual cost. The nonprofit clinic will
serve all of Galveston County and nearby communities in Harris and Brazoria Counties.

In Galveston County alone, 10,000 healthy, friendly dogs and cats are put to death every year in animal shelters. Countless others are abandoned on the streets to die of starvation, disease, and injury. The need for low cost pet sterilization is overwhelming. According to the Humane Society of the United States, two unaltered dogs can have 4,000 descendants in seven years, and two unaltered cats can have 14 million descendants in nine years. Animals suffer and die because there are too many animals and too few homes.

February 9, 2006

Mediators help quiet bothersome barking

Watch the video here

Neighborhood nuisances come in all forms and barking dogs are among the most common complaints.

One local department believes in mediating in order to lower the volume on these loud four-legged nuisances.

One local police department believes in mediating to lower the volume of dogs' barking.
On any given day, Juan Acevedo is patrolling Missouri City streets, investigating reports of nuisance animals.

There are several things that need to occur before he can actually get involved.

First people have to file a complaint, and once he is on the scene, Acevedo has to hear the problem for himself.

February 9, 2006

Cat helps collar man accused of being fake vet

From the Associated Press:

Just call him Fred, undercover kitten.

The 8-month-old stray cat found in Brooklyn posed as a would-be patient to help police nab a man they say was pretending to be a veterinarian.

Fred is licked by Burt, a Boston terrier who survived a botched operation.
Steven Vassall, 28, was arrested last week and charged with treating an untold number of pets without a license, authorities said. He was released on $2,500 bail.

Fred sported a tiny badge on his collar as he posed for photos with owner Carol Moran, a prosecutor, at a news conference Wednesday.

"He's pretty easygoing, a real Brooklyn guy," Moran said.

The tabby shared the spotlight with Burt the Boston terrier, another of Vassall's alleged victims.

February 9, 2006

The Greater Houston Horse Council fights city esplanade ordinance

From GHHC and Dr. Marcia DuBois:

February 9, 2006

A poem to my foster dog

Someone sent this to me. I thought it was lovely..

A Poem to my Foster Dog -- by Diane Morgan

I am the bridge between what was and what can be. I am
the pathway to a new life.

I am made of mush, because my heart melted when I saw
you. Matted and sore, limping, depressed, lonely,
unwanted, afraid to love.

For one little time you are mine. I will feed you with
my own hand. I will love you with my whole heart. I
will make you whole.

I am made of steel. Because when the time comes, when
you are well, and sleek, when your eyes shine, and
your tail wags with joy, then comes the hard part.

I will let you go--not without a tear, But without a
regret. For you are safe forever. A new dog needs me now.

February 9, 2006

HSUS rallying support to stop horse slaughter

Forwarded message from the Humane Society of the United States:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it is ignoring Congress and thumbing its nose at all of your hard work to save American horses from slaughter for human consumption. In light of today's outrageous action, the horses need you now, more than ever.

As you know, we had a remarkable year for horses during 2005, winning two bipartisan, landslide votes in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to prevent the use of tax dollars to fund horse slaughter inspections. President Bush signed the
final ban on November 10, 2005, and it is scheduled to take effect on March 10, just a short month away. This was a huge victory for America's horses and those of us who want to protect them from cruelty and abuse. The law meant that horse slaughter
would be prohibited for the rest of the year.

February 9, 2006

Courts rule HSPCA gets custody of animals seized in Kirbyville

119-animals seized in Kirbyville about a half hour north of Beaumont last Friday won't be returning home.

A Houston judge gave permanent custody today to the Houston SPCA, which will now try to adopt out the animals, including a turtle and horses.

Here's the original story from our reporter Jason Whitely:

February 9, 2006

Meals on Wheels... for pets!

The Meals on Wheels Association of America has started a new program to help feed the pets of its clients. WALOP, or "We all Love Our Pets," started because Meals volunteers noticed many of their clients were sharing their meals with their pets. Head to this website to see how you can help feed the beloved pets of some of our country's underpriviledged elderly.

February 9, 2006

A little mouth-to-mouth.. maybe some divine intervention?

Watch the video here

An Arkadelphia, Arkansas chicken drowns. Fowl play is suspected. Amazingly, the bird known as Boo Boo is brought back to life.

Jackie and Becky Calhoun own Boo Boo, and say their chickens are like family.

"We enjoy the chickens for the grandkids and we enjoy them ourselves," says Jackie Calhoun.

Especially Boo Boo, who got her name because she's, well, a chicken - easily scared and that almost led to her untimely death.

And Jackie thinks he knows who's to blame.

"We do have suspects," says Jackie. "Pedro, Pedro is a bandito and he's always pecking around."

But Jackie wasted no time investigating at the crime scene. Instead, he quickly swooped up Boo Boo and began praying.

Jackie says he yelled over Boo Boo, "In the name of Jesus, you're gonna live and not die!"

February 9, 2006

Want to learn about laws about animals in Texas?

Normally, I'd just post this to the Pet Event Calendar, but I believe it merits a full post in Animal Attraction. The South Texas College of Law is hosting the Sixth Annual Animal Law Institute on Friday, April 7th, from 8 AM - 5:30 PM. Topics covered include animal hoarding, veterinary malpractice, criminal prosecution of animal abuse cases, and enforcing hunting regulations. The fee ranges from $25 to $145. Head here for all the info, and you can register here.

February 8, 2006

Golden Retriever rescued from icy lake

Watch the video here, because the story doesn't do the video justice:

A golden retriever got stranded in an icy lake in colorado and he must have wondered if he'd ever get out. One man tried extending a ladder to the dog but that didn't work. Then the fire department threw out a hose hoping the dog would grab on. That didn't work either. Fire crews eventually paddled out in a rubber raft and pulled the pet to safety. He's back home with owner tonight where its nice and warm.

February 8, 2006

Free Pedigree dog food if you adopt a shelter dog this month

I love those Pedigree dog food commercials (here they are).. you know, the ones with the tagline "Dogs Rule."

As part of its big adoption campaign, Pedigree is offering a free month of dog food to new owners who adopt a dog from shelters this month. You can head to Pedigree's website, enter your zipcode, and it will point you to shelters in the area. Here is the form to fill out once you've brought home your new friend for the free food!

February 8, 2006

Rescued dog comes to his owner's rescue!

I got this from Kay Dominguez, a foster home for Second Chance Pets:

Sparky is a Yorkie mix and came to SCP one Saturday morning in December. Someone dropped him off at Petco (on adoption day) in filthy, ungroomed condition with no information about where he came from or his medical history or anything. Petco bathed and groomed him for free and he was adorable! I fostered him for a couple of weeks and decided to ask my parents in Corpus Christi if they would like him as a Christmas present. After seeing his pictures and finding he was already housebroken, they accepted him and fell in love with him when they came to visit for Christmas. The story below is why Sparky is now endeared to my parents, as if he wasn't cute enough already!

February 8, 2006

Cade the Pet Detective is ON THE CASE

Watch the video here

Among the famous detectives such as Sherlock Holmes, Sam Spade, you probably have not heard the name Cade.

Pet detective Karin Goin teams up with four-legged partner Cade.
Cade is an unusual operative working for an unusual private investigator on an unusual hunt.

The subject on a wanted poster is definitely wanted alive.

In fact, Cassie is wanted so much her owner has called in Cade and his handler Karin Goin.

Goin has been a licensed private investigator in Oklahoma since 1996.

Holllywood made a comedy about a pet detective, but Karin Goin is no Ace Ventura.

February 7, 2006

Lost Deaf Sheltie

From New Leash On Life American Eskimo Dog Rescue:

One of our adopted rescue dogs was lost the morning of February 4th in the Harris County-Katy, Texas area. Someone left their gate open. This is the last picture of Jenny... Thank you for your help in getting this young girl to safety! Time is of the essence!

She is a DEAF albino (solid white) Shetland Sheepdog...only 13-15 pounds, small. She is very sweet natured, but gets scared if approached quickly. She is AVID microchipped....and they are alerted to her number...the adoptive mommy is posting her picture around the neighborhood and we are calling local animal controls...but only have had a few people who have seen her. REMEMBER SHE CAN NOT HEAR YOU IF YOU CALL OUT TO HER!! But she will come to you if you go to her level and motion to her to come.

NEW SIGHTING!!! She was seen by two people at a Conoco Station near Clayton Woods Area...so she is still in the housing area but she is inching closer to the hwy 6. (one of our nightmares!) We need to find her...this is her 3rd day. She will be cold and hungry. Mommy seems to think she may be around a bayou that is in the area...but hasn't seen her...I don't know the area but she isn't very big as she runs off everything she eats...so she is probably on the move as usual...typical Sheltie!

Contact: Carol Raymond at 210-410-7334 or email: NewLeashonLife@att.net or Jenny's mom, Lucy's cell phone 281-948-0823.

February 7, 2006

Local group and Continental teaming up to bring in Mexican dogs

Saving Animals Across Borders is teaming up with Continental Airlines to begin bringing stray dogs from Mexico into the United States to loving homes.

Saving Animals president Sean Hawkins was quoted in today's Houston Chronicle, saying, "They are poster kids for their comrades back in Mexico. We don't plan to try to ship 100,000 animals into the United States from Mexico. Our goal is 10 to 12 dogs a month. And with each shipment, our hope is to tell people about the plight of dogs and cats across the border."

Read the rest of the story on the Chronicle website here.

February 7, 2006

ARNO (Animal Rescue New Orleans) still needs volunteers to feed animals

Here's the latest plea for help from Animal Rescue New Orleans:

February 7, 2006

California County pays Hell's Angels for deaths of dogs

Santa Clara County's Board of Supervisors has agreed to pay the Hell's Angels nearly a one million dollars in a settlement after police killed three of the motorcycle club's guard dogs during raids on their property and suspected members' homes.

Read the rest of the story here.. from CNN.com.

February 6, 2006

Help find the person who is killing goats in Waller County..

Watch the video here

Deputies in Waller County are trying to figure out why someone has been killing dozens of goats in the area.

The goats were found shot to death on the farm.

Joyce Gilliam, who raised the goats on her farm, is also mystified.

Goats have always been a part of her life.

"And the goats are gentle. I've never really heard of anybody getting hurt by a goat," said Gilliam.

She was shocked to discover last Tuesday that someone had shot and killed 13 of her goats.

February 6, 2006

Elephant exercise

Elephants are allowed to claim they're "big boned," but being overweight is not healthy for the big pachyderms. At the Oregon Zoo, Chendra is on a low fat diet and has daily exercise, from hour long power walks to "sit ups."

Watch the story here

February 6, 2006

Go back to school for a lesson in people and animals..

Janice Blue with Go Vegan Texas (airs on KPFT 90.1FM on Mondays at 10AM) gave me the heads up on this: a continuing studies class from Rice University that discusses humans and animals, and how animals fit into society's worldview and our culture. Here's the course description from the course website:

"Living among animals, humans have developed complex relationships with them. Through the millennia, animals have served as companions, religious figures, and manifestations of natural beauty. At the same time, we have relied on them for food, clothing, transportation, and muscle power. In some cases we have reinvented animals, selecting for traits that help or please us. Co-sponsored by Scientia, an institute at Rice University for the history of science and culture, this series of lectures will take a look at how we view animals and live among them. Are animals mere biological machines or do they have brains and minds similar to our own? Under what circumstances are we entitled to eat them, experiment on them, or, through design or neglect, extinguish entire species of them? "

The classes start in March and run on Wednesday nights, as well as one Monday night. Head to the course website for more information and pricing details..

February 3, 2006

Dogs and cats.. living together..

and they're best friends. That's appropriate, since they're at Best Friends' Celebration Station shelter: more Katrina survivors! Here's their story..

February 3, 2006

Puppy Bowl II

If all the hard hitting of the Super Bowl on Sunday starts giving you an upset stomach, why not switch over to Animal Planet for a dose of gooey, sugary cuteness in Puppy Bowl II. It's three hours of nothing but puppies (and halftime with kitties) running around and playing inside their own little "stadium." At the same time, viewers interested in adoption will be linked to the Pet Connection, this zip-code searchable website to find pet resources in their neighborhoods.

Head here for a sneak peak of Puppy Bowl video clips, and here are some suggestions for planning your own Puppy Bowl party!

February 3, 2006

Dallas SPCA starts limited no-kill policy

Watch the video from our sister station WFAA-TV here

THE SPCA of Texas shelter in Dallas has implemented a limited no-kill policy, meaning the facility will no longer euthanize animals simply to free up space.

In the past, people could come in off the street and drop off an animal with no questions asked. But under the new policy, they must make a reservation - which will only be available if there's room at the shelter.

Previously, animals that were not adopted risked being euthanized to make room for new ones.

"No animal will be euthanized for space, and that is in its simplest form," said James Bias, president of the SPCA of Texas.

February 2, 2006

Our furry/slippery weather forecasters...

Can't really complain about Houston's "winter" weather.. well, I can't. I love these warmer temperatures. And, if this is the kind of winter we can expect the rest of this year, I will be happy with the predictions of world famous groundhog prognosticator Punxsutawney Phil of Pennsylvania and our very own Houston Zoo sea lion. You can watch Phil's forecast here, and read the full story here.

Not to be outdone, the Houston Zoo has its own weather forecaster in Roscoe, the sea lion, who also predicted six more weeks of winter.

February 1, 2006

Update on Katrina Evacuee Renee - who brought her 30+ dogs to Houston

Remember Renee, who packed up her dogs and drove them to Houston, setting up a temporary shelter in a parking lot off 290 (previous posts here and here)?

I just received the following in the "comments" section of the blog.. from one of Renee's neighbors. I copied the comment exactly as she posted it, to update us all on how Renee is doing:

"im renee's neighbor im11 years old but renee says im 42 lol she thinks im old and aggervating lol she says to tell everyone in houston hello and to tell them shes okay and the dogs are great by the way my name is ashley. our houses still gutted and we are all living in trailors to0tles"

February 1, 2006

Puppies used as drug mules?

From CBSNews.com.. watch the video here:

Drug-smuggling puppies stuffed with heroin were discovered after the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency busted a drug ring, the agency's New York division announced Tuesday.

The DEA said 22 Colombian nationals were arrested for smuggling 20 kilograms of heroin into the United States. The smugglers, the DEA said, used both human and animal couriers or "swallowers" to bring heroin into the country.

The street value of the heroin totals nearly $20 million, a DEA spokesperson told CBS News.com, adding that all arrests were made in Colombia, except for one in North Carolina.

February 1, 2006

Diamond Pet Foods admits it didn't follow testing procedures

From the Associated Press:

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The maker of contaminated pet food that caused the deaths of dozens of dogs nationwide acknowledged Tuesday that workers at its South Carolina plant failed to follow internal testing procedures to ensure its products were safe.

Diamond Pet Foods made the acknowledgment after the federal Food and Drug Administration released a report showing the company has no record of test results for 12 shipments of corn in September and October, when grain tainted with the deadly fungus aflatoxin slipped into the plant.

"The company had stringent guidelines in place to test incoming shipments of corn for aflatoxin exposure," the Diamond Pet Foods said in a statement. "It was apparent by the FDA report that those guidelines were not followed. The company has taken the necessary actions to prevent these oversights from happening in the future."

February 1, 2006

Who was that dog watching the State of the Union Address?

Watch the video here

From the Associated Press:

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- = First lady Laura Bush's guests at her husband's annual address to Congress certainly were diverse. One, in fact, wasn't even human.

Rex, a 5-year-old German shepherd, fit in with the other Iraq war veterans who were guests of Republicans and Democrats.

Rex sniffed out bombs in Iraq. He's been the subject of congressional legislation. He's famous, and Wednesday night he became one of Mrs. Bush's guests at the State of the Union speech.

How Rex landed such a coveted seat - actually a spot in the aisle labeled "Rex" on the official seating chart - is quite a tale.

February 1, 2006

Mastiff puppy is playmate for lion cub

Watch the video here

An African lion and an Italian mastiff have paired up at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. The extraordinary duo can now be seen at the Animal Care Center daily.

Monday the pair spent the morning pouncing on each other and playing with toys. The lion and dog are slowly being introduced to one another over the past month to give the lion cub a companion. Born through Caesarean section on Nov. 11, the male lion cub named Koza, which means bright in Swahili, needed to be hand raised. Because a lion is a social animal, keepers were concerned that the cub had no playmate.

To solve this problem nursery keepers introduced Cairo, a puppy born to a dog rescued during Hurricane Katrina. When the duo was first introduced, the lion cub stayed close to his keepers but he has become increasingly braver. Koza and Cairo will remain together until the lion is large enough to be introduced into a lion pride.