Crazy for Critters

Pets in Condos Update

Citizens for Pets in Condos is an advocacy group that has submitted a bill to the Florida legislature that would permit emotional-support animals in condos with no-pet rules. Go to petsincondos.org for an update on the bill's progress and more info on the group.

How Dogs are Helping Injured Iraqi Veterans

Whatever your views on the war - and I certainly have strong ones, though a pet blog isn't exactly the place to air them - I hope we can all agree that servicemen and women returning from combat wounded should get whatever they need to recover and/or live as normally as possible. It's touching to see that dogs are contributing to that effort.

Click here for a story from the Denver Post about how learning to train a "sniffer dog'' is helping a brain-injured vet regain his memory and concentration.

Here's one from the Chicago Tribune about a program to place assistance dogs with disabled vets.

Georgeous Golden Needs a Home

This, from "Samy the Slider's'' foster dad (who clearly has a good sense of humor):

"He's a 15-month-old golden retriever. Unfortunately I am unable to keep him due to the fact that several nights per week I don't return home until late in the evening, leaving Samy crated for most of the day. One of my sons found Samy tied to a tree, having fled his original owner. Once we found the owner and returned him, all was well until they contacted my son and said they could no longer keep him. 

"Samy is probably the most beautiful dog that I have ever owned, and certainly the most active. He is ultra friendly, especially with children, and speaks five languages. I recently had him tested and his i.q. was an astounding 182. He has already applied for membership in Mensa. He loves to run, as do all retrievers. His nickname  "the slider" originated from the fact that while chasing the ball in the house, he can't stop his momentum and slides into the walls.

"Unfortunately, as much as I love Samy, it isn't fair to keep him crated all of those hours.  I am going to be very selective as to where I place him, but if you have any interest in owning the best dog in the world and the best "Samy the Slider" in the entire universe, please email me at dub7600@aol.com, or call me at the office, 305.665.4177 or on my cell, 305.342.5376. ''

Purebred Chihuahua at the Shelter

His name is - I'm not making this up - PEE. His ID #A0958274. Tan and white, smooth-coated, about 2 years old. He's been at the Miami-Dade shelter since April 11, so is on borrowed time. Call the shelter at 305-884-1101.

Someone PLEASE Adopt Rocco!

He's greyhound/Lab, less than a year, and can't stay in his rescuer's apartment. You also get his toys, grooming supplies and a crate. He's got all his shots and is "almost completely" housebroken. Call 305-527-3669.

Pet Food Litigation Info

From a press release:

April 20, 2007 (Toronto, Canada) "Pet owner Karen Fraser of Toronto Ontario responded to the tainted pet food scandal by founding Petitionz.org with Ron Smith. The website has provided a constructive way for angered and grieving pet owners to respond to the ongoing pet food crisis. People from around the world have signed the petition and voted in the polls.

"While trying to keep up on the recall and reaction information that seemed to change by the hour Ms. Fraser came across articles by American media which indicated that U.S. pet owners would get little compensation if they won a law suit against Menu Foods. Few states recognize pets as anything beyond property.

"She then checked the website for the Canadian law firm Falconer Charney [which has] filed class action lawsuits against Menu Foods Inc. and Canada-wide distributors and producers of potentially contaminated pet food. On the site she found a court decision in Ontario granting damages to pet owners for emotional trauma. Under Ontario law a pet is not just another object that people own. A pet is an important part of people’s lives and Ontario law recognizes that people can be emotionally traumatized if their pet is hurt or dies.

"Ms. Fraser called the law firm to ask if Americans could join the Canadian class action lawsuit because the headquarters for Menu Foods is located in Ontario.  Ted Charney offered this opinion: “Americans can file in Toronto because Menu Foods is headquartered in this province and made all material decisions in its operations from its head office.”

"Like many areas of the law this is not black and white. The Ontario judge may only grant Americans the compensation allowed by the U.S. state where they live but she/he might grant compensation under Ontario law. Mr. Charney suggests that pet owners should consider whether their state laws allow for compensation for emotional trauma before considering the Canadian lawsuit.

"Falconer Charney is representing pet owners who wish to recover compensation and help prevent contaminated ingredients and poison from entering the pet food chain. To learn more about the class action law suit and legal contact information visit Petitionz.org or call (416) 696-7621
or (416) 893-1551.''

   

Cooking for Critters

A reader asked for homemade pet-food recipes in light of the current crisis with so many brands of commerical food.

I'll do better than that. Click here and here to link to a whole slew of recipes, from basic chicken/veggies/rice dishes to apple-cinnamon cookies. Bless anyone who has the time and/or inclination to do this.

On the subject of the food recall (and the horrifying rising death toll), this from Tracy Tenner, veteran Fort Lauderdale dog trainer:

"I have taken a HUGE step. After feeding nothing but Eukanuba, which is NOT on any recall lists, for at least 20 years, I have changed my dog and cat food to Life's Abundance. It is formulated by a holistic vet using nothing but human-grade foods and is delivered directly to my door at whatever interval I request.  The parent company. Trilogy (People-Pets-Planet) also offers all-natural treats, chewies, supplements, even pet-oriented, safe, cleaning products. It's not cheap, but neither was Euk.

"Check out healthfoodforpets.com.''

T-Bone Needs a Home

T-Bone is a 6-year-old male, neutered American Eskimo.  He is healthy, had recent blood work, is heartworm negative and recently had dental work. He was hit by a car and his owner surrendered him.  He is really sweet and desperately needs a good home. Call (954) 895-2799.

And They're Off!

The Search for America’s Fastest Chihuahua is On. It's the Third Annual PETCO Unleashed Races, wherein, says the company, Miami's "tiniest and finest will face off for a chance to compete for the coveted title of Fastest Chihuahua. Accompanied by their human family members, the competitors will race in heats of 10 along a 1/18th furlong (35-foot-long) track. The winner will be awarded a trip to San Diego to compete against 14 other regional champions in the national finals between innings of a major league baseball game at PETCO Park, home to the San Diego Padres, on Sept. 2, 2007. It happens Saturday, May 5, 2007, at 10 a.m. at the North Miami PETCO, 14601 Biscayne Boulevard. For more information, call 305-940-2840. There's a serious purpose: "To celebrate the human-animal bond and remind all pet lovers about the millions of adoptable pets – including Chihuahuas waiting for loving homes.''

More on the Food Recall

WASHINGTON (April 17, 2007) -- The Humane Society of the United States has established a pet food safety information line with the most up-to-the-minute pet food recall information, including a list of all companies involved in the recall and ways to determine if your pet’s food was affected. 

By calling 1-800-Humane-1, callers will hear a personal message from HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle, and can then choose from among three areas: updated recall information on pet food and treats; tips on what you can do to protect your pets; and how you can help.  Concerned pet guardians can also visit The HSUS online pet food safety center at hsus.org.

Said Wayne Pacelle, “Pets are cherished members of our family and they deserve high-quality, safe, nutritious food.  Sixty-percent of U.S. households have pets, so this recall affects millions. The HSUS will continue to be the comprehensive source for information on this pet food recall and for all other issues affecting animals today.  We are also supporting efforts by several members of Congress to find out exactly what happened and how it can be prevented in the future.”