Crazy for Critters

That's Wild

And NOT a good idea. Wild-animal pets, that is. They're flying (crawling, hopping) into the United States at an unprecedented rate, bringing diseases and bad habits. I have no idea what it feels like to be bitten by a kinkajou, but Paris Hilton does (for which I propose the kinkajou be heartily congratulated).  Click here to read a story about this influx, on the Discovery Channel site.

Let's Hear a Woof for the WOOF Patrol!

Here's Yvonne Conza, guiding light of the Miami Beach WOOF Patrol (dedicated to keeping the beachwalk dog-friendly by keeping it clean), and her adored Pomo, the group's mascot. Check out the group's website: woofpatrol.com.

Highway's Collection

Remember Highway, the dog who tied up rush-hour traffic on the I-95 flyover in June 2005? He was adopted by one of my colleagues, who lives on a canal in South Miami. Now, see all that debris? She says it's Highway's collection. He stands at the end of the water and waits for junk to float by, then goes into the water, pulls it out and adds it to his pile of stuff. An environmentally-conscious dog!

Go to crazyforcritters.blogspot.com for the blog as it existed before we changed to TypePad, and see the archived item of 8/25/2006, for another photo of and more background about Highway.

And Speaking of Criminal Prosecution...

Someone needs to go to jail over this: An adorable pit bull-mix is now recovering at The Humane Society of Broward County from an act of absolute butchery. Some sicko cut her ears off, probably in a botched attempt to dock them in the style of fighing pits. She was infected and in pain when found by a good Samaritan. Click here to see the story.

Obese Dog Sends Owners to Court

Two brothers in the UK are facing criminal prosecution for allowing their Labrador to gain so much weight that "vets said nine-year-old Rusty...looked like a walrus.'' They've been charged with "causing unnecessary suffering.'' It's a rarely-brought charge that certainly seems appropriate in this case. This dog, according to the British press, weighs "11 stone.'' One stone equals 14 pounds. Do the math: A 158-pound freakin' LABRADOR!  I can't even picture such a creature. If you want to read more, click here for the BBC.

Sweet Girl Needs a Home

is she not adorable? She's less than a year old, and apparently was dumped in the Redland (I have bad, vengeful thoughts about people who do such things). She's not spayed, but has been to the vet (with a rescuer) she seems to be in excellent health. She's said to be "incredibly loving and affectionate, wants to be close to someone all the time. She goes on a leash has not chewed on anything...in about five days. She may be housebroken,'' and her weight will probably top out around 60 lbs.She's fine with other dogs. The vet thinks she'll top out at 50-60 pounds. For more info, call 305-986-2993.

Dogs Deserve Better

That's the name of a Pennsylvania-based group with a single mission: to get dogs freed from long-term chaining. Several months ago, founder Tammy Grimes was arrested when she unchained a half-dead dog and took him from private property. He's safe now and getting healthier, as her case winds its way through the court system. She just rejected a prosecution deal: return the dog to its owners and accept "advanced rehabilitation,'' which is like a pretrial diversion program, in exchanged for having the charges dropped.

No way, said Grimes, who's headed for a jury trial. Click here to go to the DDB website for the latest on the case.

   

Dog show

From the press release:

THE GREATER MIAMI DOG CLUB SHOW RETURNS TO THE MIAMI FAIR EXPO DECEMBER 8 -10.

Miami area canine lovers will get a chance to view potential Westminster champions at the 2006 Greater Miami Dog Club Show.  Local breeders will be showing off more than 800 dogs representing over 150 breeds for this thrilling American Kennel Club event.  Officiated by judges from around the world, the highly anticipated show celebrates man’s best friend with fun and excitement for all ages and is a valuable source of information for dog lovers, owners, and those looking for their perfect breed.

The Greater Miami Dog Club Show now in its 58th year, kicks off at 4PM Friday, December 8th, with specialty shows for Cocker Spaniels, Boston Terriers, Rottweilers and Saint Bernards. An all-breed obedience competition and rally are also planned.

The main event begins Saturday, December 9th when representatives of seven groups – Sporting, Non-sporting, Hound, Toy, Terrier, Working and Herding – will be judged in Confirmation competitions for appearance, movement and temperament.  Winning dogs from each of the seven groups will advance to “Best of Breed”.  “Group Winners” will get to compete for the coveted award of “Best in Show.”

There will also be competitions in Obedience, Rallying and Agility where dogs are judged on their performance, athleticism and ability to follow commands.

Saturday’s show will feature the Puppy Spectacular leading to the awarding of the Best Puppy in Breed, Group and Best in Show levels.  Sunday will feature a Veteran Show, where dogs over seven years of age can show they still have what it takes competing for Best Veteran in Breed, Group and Show.

Junior Handlers -- ages 9-18 – will be judged on their abilities to successfully present a dog. The winner will leave with the Best Junior Handler award.

Shoppers will enjoy browsing through dozens of booths where vendors will be selling hard-to- find pet supplies, as well as unique canine arts, crafts and giftware. The latest in poochie designer fashions will also be available.

The Miami Fair Expo Center is located at 10901 SW 24th Street (Coral Way) at 107th Avenue. Tickets are available at the door and are $5 for adults and $2 for children 6-12.  Seniors and children under 6 are free. Dogs will be on display 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. daily. Canines not entered in the show will not be allowed in the building for safety reasons.  For additional information and schedules, call 305-232-5227 or visit miamidogclub.org.

World's Biggest Chewy

For some dogs, a nylon bone, a rope pull or a squeaky toy are a mouthful. Not this guy! Brave bulldog wrestles traffic cone to the ground. Kill it!! (Shot by Wendy Doscher-Smith, pet photog).

New Dog Park?

From Sunday's Herald, about a proposed new dog park:

BISCAYNE PARK

Proposed dog park gets a boost

Plans to raise the ground level at a possible dog-park site have proponents of the project feeling optimistic.

BY RODOLFO R. ROMAN

Miami Herald Writer

Backers of a dog park in Biscayne Park say an infill project to raise the soil at the proposed park site has made them optimistic they selected the right location.

''The storm-water project is a tremendous boon for the park. It's going to take care of the flooding issue,'' John Ise, chairman of a village committee in charge of establishing a dog park, told commissioners at a recent meeting.

The stormwater project began last month at the lot at Northeast Sixth Avenue and Griffing Boulevard, and is expected to be completed early next year, Ise said.

The patch of village-owned land was preferred by backers of the dog park seeking a place to let their pets roam unleashed, but there had been concerns about flooding from a canal that runs along the parcel, as well as dangers to pets from wildlife such as alligators.

There were also concerns that the South Florida Water Management District, which has authority over the canal, might nix the idea because of access issues. But village manager Frank Spence says a meeting with district staff has eased those concerns.

''The department will request the Department of Transportation to install a locked pole gate so that only [water management workers] can access the canal,'' Spence informed village commissioners.

With those obstacles removed, dog park committee member Elizabeth Hornbuckle, who is the wife of Mayor John Hornbuckle, is preparing an architectural plan.

The dog park has been in the works since Jan. 2005, when the committee was first formed. The Village Commission approved the park in June of this year, and the dog park committee is responsible for costs such as fencing, landscaping and maintenance. Spence said six royal palms have been donated for the park.

According to Ise, the committee is now working on a budget.

''Once we have the budget, we can get the ball rolling,'' Ise said.

The village has opened a bank account for the dog park so residents can make donations to fund the park. The village and the committee are working to make donations tax-exempt.