Crazy for Critters

So Ugly He's ... Ugly

Which doesn't mean that Elwood - newly crowned World's Ugliest Dog - isn't sweet and loveable. Then again, ugly is as much in the eyes of the beholder as beautiful is - hey, I LOVED the Edsel (apologies to anyone under the age of 45 who has no idea what I'm talking about). Click here to check him out, with his extremely proud human.   

Legal Beagles

I had a story this morning about the Beagle Brigade that works for the U.S. Agriculture Department at Miami International Airport, sniffing out forbidden foodstuffs. Very cute pix and a slide show. Click here.

This is So Cool! Video!

The first thing that's cool is that I've learned to upload actual videos onto the blog. Thanks to my colleague Steve Rothaus who writes the Herald's Gay South Florida blog and is a technological marvel for teaching my utterly clueless self.

The second cool thing is the actual video: a vicious, killer pit bull being very un-killerly with some baby chicks. Enjoy!

Doggy Casual Friday

I should have known that someone would be marketing JUST the thing for canines to wear for Take Your Dog To Work Day: A $32 Ralph Lauren polo. Click here to see it and some other pricey dog duds.

And here's a dog who actually went to work, but not in anything fancy like Ralph Lauren. No, Ally is a blue-collar, hard hat kinda pup, as befits someone building the busway extension to Florida City with proud human, Scott Brand at Pistorino & Alam.

Happy TYDTWD!

That's Take Your Dog to Work Day, and if you're lucky enough - unlike some of us - to be able to participate, have a great time. Here's a link to a story I had in today's business section about companies that are pet-friendly every day.

Orange Cat Needs a Home

This sweet girl was given to rescue by a Miami Beach man who can't take her to his new apartment. She's 3, healthy, fixed, has all shots, good disposition but not socialized to other cats.

Call (305) 376-2673 or (239) 398-8538 or e-mail pjsansbury@aol.com.

Ferret Fest

I believe this is the blog's inaugural ferret item. Welcome ferret folk!

Ferret Rescue Fundraiser at Beef "O" Brady's, 10079 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Sunrise, in the Publix Plaza. July 15th from 4 to 8 pm. Help sponsor a ferret; 15% of the proceeds will be donated to Broward Ferret Rescue & Referral. For more info you can contact Jennifer at 954-290-0566.

Class Action Lawsuit Targets Notorious Puppy Peddler

The HSUS has filed a class action against Wizard of Claws, the Broward County pet store long accused of selling sick animals bred at puppy mills. How it is that people still patronize this place is beyond me, given years of bad publicity generated by heartbroken and angry buyers - whose puppies quickly fall sick and die - but it remains a thriving business. Now-Gov. Charlie Crist took them on as Florida's attorney general last year. Let's hope that HSUS can slam-dunk this miserable operation once and for all. Click here for the story.

Tiny Dog Wins Big Title

World's smallest canine. That's the title now held by a Bay State Chihuahua that's about the size of a squirrel. Yeah, cute, but I have a real problem with selective breeding for physical characteristics. These are living creatures, not accessories. It's a straight line from this story to the one above. If only people would adopt the millions of loving critters languishing (and dying) in shelters, we would have this problem. Click here for the story in the Boston Globe.

Aloha! Adoption Luau a Big Success

Excellent news from Miami-Dade Animal Services: 50 homeless dogs and cats found forever families this past weekend at a Hawaiian-themed adoption event. Check out the smiling faces in these pictures. You just KNOW these critters will have happy lives from now on.