Crazy for Critters

Hope They Get a Looooong Time to Think About It

Two Georgia teenage brothers who committed one of the most horrifying instances of animal cruelty  I've ever heard of - binding a puppy with duct tape then roasting it in an oven - have copped a guilty plea. They were to have had a second trial - after a hung jury in the first - but apparently saw the handwriting on the wall. They did this at a community center they were destroying, apparently for the sick fun of it. Click here to read the story.

Broward Humane Valentine's Event

Fort Lauderdale, FL -- PetSet, the Humane Society of Broward County’s Young Professionals Auxiliary, is proud to partner with the newly renovated Gallery One on Sunrise Boulevard for a visually enticing event.

PetSet will kick off Gallery Nights on Tuesday, February 13,  6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event will feature two complimentary cocktails, lite hors d’oeuvres and an art installation by Las Olas Fine Arts that will feature paintings and sculptures from various artists. Vue on the Water, Gallery
One’s new restaurant, will also offer a dinner special the night of the event.

Tickets: $30 for PetSetters, $45 for guests, $55 to join and attend and FREE to Top Dog and Pick of
the Litter members. PetSet is proud to have Three Olives Vodka and Premier Beverage sponsor this event.

Gallery One’s Gallery Nights will present original paintings, photo/art, and sculptures, transforming the lobby and public spaces of the hotel into a virtual art gallery; exhibits will change monthly.

PetSet, an auxiliary of the Humane Society of Broward County, is the new generation of young adults in South Florida dedicated to making a difference in the lives of abandoned animals at the Humane Society of Broward County.

To become a PetSet member or for more information on upcoming events call 954-266-6817 or visit us online at http://petset.org/. Event photos are also available on our website.

   

   

News from Miami-Dade Animal Services

The shelter has signed up 22 new volunteers, which is excellent. There are several orientations upcoming, if you're interested in volunteering:

Wednesday, January 31, 6 p.m.;  Saturday, February 3, 10 a.m.;   Wednesday, February 7,  6 p.m.;     Saturday, February 17, 10 a.m.;  Tuesday, February 20, 6 p.m.

Also check out the Valentine’s pet adoption event, Saturday, February 10^th, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Animal Services Shelter. VOLUNTEER HELP is needed! Donations of dog and/or cat toys as well as Valentine-themed decorations for the shelter, would be welcome.

Call 305-305-805-1778 for more information.

Doggytine's Day

  February 10, noon - 3pm.

From the press release:

"Dogs and dog lovers unite for an afternoon at Plaza Del Mar
(Ocean Ave & A1A, Manalapan) for Doggytine's Day, hosted by
Xpress Fitness. $30 advance ticket includes admission,
2-legged lunch and dog goody bag ($35 day of the event). Special stuff: a K9 caricaturist, an animal communicator, doggie fashion show, pet photographer, raffles, contests (best dressed, dog/owner look-alike) and more. A portion of all proceeds will benefit RescueRehabHome.org, a nonprofit  specializing in placing abandoned, abused and neglected dogs.

For more info: http://www.havedog.com/ or 561-547-0977.

    And this handsome devil is Scruffy, a regular at Plaza Del
Mar, who's looking forward to Doggytine's Day. (photo by Tina Valant).

   
   

Meet Gillie

He's the Westie who keeps company with my sister-in-law's sister and her partner, in the DC area. Pretty darn cute.

E-mail your JPG pet pix to pets@MiamiHerald.com.

Pet Rules

This is great. It has made the Internet rounds but it makes me laugh every time I read it.

PET RULES (To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - nose height).

Dear Dogs and Cats,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years --canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pet

1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3. Are easier to train
4. Normally come when called
5. Never ask to drive the car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't want to wear your clothes
10.Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and...
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

Dog Bowl I

When: Saturday, Jan. 27, 10 A.M.-2 P.M.

Where: Vista View Park, 4001 SW 142 Ave. Davie

From the news release:

"Boxer Friends asks football pet lovers to get ready for the Super Bowl by checking out the Dog Bowl I. This football-themed event will feature demonstrations, contests and prizes and promises to be fun for the whole family.

"It’s a time to dress yourself and your dog in your favorite team colors and participate in contests such as best dressed dog, owner/dog look alike and best trick for a chance to win great prizes.

"There will also be demonstrations by the Tropicanine Disc Club of South Florida and the Too Hot To Handle Flyball Club.  Additionally, speakers will have presentations on dog behavior and nutrition.

"Admission fee/donation is $10.00 per family with the first 100 receiving a goody bag with samples, coupons and a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of several prizes including a photo of you and your dog while at Dog Bowl I."

For more information: 954-370-3792

   

Waiter! I'll Have the Pooper Scooper

The St. Petersburg restaurant that got the city's first doggie-dining permit has decided it was a failed experiment. Moon Under Water had been informally dog-friendly for years, but after getting lots of press for obtaining a permit, it was overrun with canines, some of whom - shall we say - did not contribute to the pleasant dining experience some patrons expected.

Click here to read the story in the St. Pete Times.

And here's another animal story from that paper - this one in no way amusing. A 9-year-old boy, attacked by four pit bulls, was rescued by a 25-year-old, 110-pound woman who happened to be driving by. They were both bitten multiple times.

I don't know which bothers me most: that someone allowed four dangerous dogs to bolt from the yard and attack a little kid, or that who knows how many drivers and passersby did absolutely nothing to helpas they watched the two victims fight for their lives.  What a world. Click here to read the story.

And yet a third item from the Times: a story about two therapy Rottweilers in an elementary school. Click here to read it.

 

Important Info About Pet Stores

The demand for purebred dogs has spawned countless tragedies, as puppy mills crank out sick animals to be sold in pet stores. It ought to be illegal, but that's (sort of) another story.

The Herald's Action Line recently did a whole column based on a letter from someone who spent $900 on a teacup Yorkie that died four days later. The customer was having trouble getting a refund and vet-bill reimbursements from the pet store (big surprise). Click here to read Action Line's thorough and informative handling of the situation. It's a cautionary tale.

Your New Drinking Buddy

You like to toss back a cold frosty one from time to time, right? Why not your dog? This question prompted a Dutch pet-shop owner to create a beer for dogs out of beef extract and malt. Click here to read more.