Ellie Brecher is a general assignment reporter for The Miami Herald. Email her at pets@miamiherald.com.
Pet lady: That's my role in the Miami Herald newsroom. I've been here since 1989, during which time I've had eight dogs, a ring-necked parakeet, a chicken, and a lizard named Lance. At the moment, I've got four dogs, two step-dogs, and two cockatiels. A native New Yorker, I came here from Louisville, Ky. I'm a graduate of the University of Arizona, and had a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard in 1988. I have written 233 stories containing the word 'dog' in the past 17 years.
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Miami Beach Parks and Recreation Department has informed Responsible Dog Owners of Miami Beach that the temporary dog park on Washington Avenue and 2nd Street, which has been closed due to re-seeding, will re-open tomorrow: Thursday.
Sunday, February 3 afternoon, we’ll send out an e-mail with pictures of the ARF DECO Dogtown event, and will post them on our web-site.
HOW FIT IS YOUR PET?
Hill's PetFit Mobile Tour Offers Free Pet Fitness Classes and Weight Consultations to Miami Area Pet Owners
FREE!!
WHAT: There are 54 million overweight or obese cats and dogs in the United States1, which is approximately 35 percent of the total pet population. Potential health risks of this epidemic include heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and shortened life expectancy. The 2008 Hill's/American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) PetFit Mobile Tour will be stopping in Miami to help educate local pet owners on the importance of proper nutrition and exercise for their pets. The tour provides area pet owners with the opportunity to participate in a free fitness class based on the People and Pet Fitness Video with celebrity fitness trainer Gunnar Peterson.
This interactive encounter offers owners an experience that arms pet owners with the tools to help their pets' live healthy lifestyles.
Hill's PetFit Tour includes:
Ø Hill's People and Pet Fitness Classes led by a local fitness trainer
Ø Registration for the 2008 Hill's PetFit Challenge - a unique weight loss program for cats and dogs
Ø An interactive pet fitness and nutrition learning center staffed by veterinary technicians - feel what it's like for a pet to carry around a few extra pounds
Ø Free weight consultations and weight management tools including a tracking book for pet owners to monitor their pet's road to a healthy lifestyle
Ø Free samples of Hill's® Science Diet® Light
Did you know?
Ø Just five extra pounds on a Beagle equals 25 pounds on an average woman
Ø Just four extra pounds on a Siamese cat equals 45 pounds on an average woman
Ø One ounce of cheese for a small dog equals a human eating one and a half hamburgers or one and a half chocolate bars
Ø One cup of milk for an average cat equals a human eating four and a half hamburgers or five chocolate bars
WHEN: Thursday, February 7
PETCO
12014 SW 88th St
Miami, FL 33186
NOON-2 p.m.
from the Boston Globe: A story about how pets are also paying the price when families lose their homes. Click here.
SATURDAY, JAN. 26, "SAVE THE DOGS RALLY" TO HIGHLIGHT ABUSE OF GREYHOUNDS; Opponents urge NO vote on Slots Proposal (Miami, FL) The Miami-Dade Animal Rescue League, area animal lovers and their pets - including many greyhounds - will meet Saturday afternoon outside Flagler Dog Track to protest against Question 3, the Slots Proposal. The proposal on the January 29th ballot would permit slot machines at the dog racing track in Miami-Dade County. According to the Miami-Dade Animal Rescue League and other opponents in attendance on Saturday, slot machines would prop-up the dying dog racing industry which profits from the mistreatment of greyhound dogs. Opposition spokesmen will be available; fresh water will be free for all people and dogs. Meet 1:30pm outside Flagler Dog Track, southeast corner Douglas Road/37th Ave./ NW 7th St.
This is a letter from Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's office to someone concerned about municipal breed bans:
Dear Mr. Logan:
Thank you for writing to Governor Charlie Crist to voice your concerns relating to dangerous dogs and the banning of specific breeds of dogs. The Governor appreciated receiving your letter and has asked that I respond on his behalf.
Florida law (Section 767.14) currently prevents local municipalities from crafting a “dangerous dog” ordinance aimed at a specific breed of dog. As you may be aware, there is a bill that has been filed that seeks to change this law. Representative Thurston is sponsoring House Bill 101, which calls for the deletion of language which prevents local municipalities from imposing a ban on specific breeds of dangerous dogs. You may track the progress of this bill through the legislative process by going to the following website: http://www.flsenate.gov/session/index.cfm?BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&Mode=Bills&SubMenu=1&Year=2008&billnum=101
The Executive Office of the Governor will follow this bill and all other bills as they move through the legislative process. Generally, Governor Crist does not take a position on a specific bill until it has been adopted by the Legislature and presented for his action, as bills can be amended substantially during the legislative process. Please be assured, if final legislation is presented to the Governor on this topic, he will consider your input as he decides whether to sign or veto.
As a final point, you may wish to share your comments with members of your local legislative delegation to express your opposition to this bill and provide them any information which they might use to make a decision on this issue.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your views with Governor Crist.
Sincerely,
Aundra Bryant
Office of Policy and Budget
Executive Office of the Governor
A couple, who are my Herald colleagues, have lost a cat, as have several neighbors. There is a strong suspicion that someone is deliberately trying to kill pets. There are no words to describe how vile that is. Here's the info, from Cindy and Al:
Sunday Jan. 27, T.Y. Park, 3300 N. Park Rd., Hollywood, from 10 am-2 pm., a fundraiser for Boxer Friends, Inc.
Contests: Best Dressed Dog, Owner/Dog Look Alike, and Silly Pet Trick. $1 games: Dress Up Race, Bobbing for Hotdogs, Ball Retrieve and Most Tail Wags.
Canine Good Citizen testing - $30.00, offered by AKC- registered evaluator Marni of HumaneK9 ( Dog Massage by Hope will be there. Also a raffle, an auction, Frisbee demos throughout the day
by The Tropicanine Disc Club of South Florida, and a chance to win a $215 Jamis Ranger XR Bicycle: tickets are two for $5.
Goody bag with bonus raffle ticket and event t-shirt, for a $10.00 donation.
All dogs must be current on shots and have proof of current rabies vaccination. Dogs that are not sociable and well behaved may be asked to leave.
Dog Bowl II is open to all members of the family, however all dogs must be accompanied by an adult. Regular weekend park admission fee in effect.
Hey everyone-- I'm officially gone this coming week but will probably post from time to time.
Cheers-
Ellie
This is not only cool for dogs, but holds a lot of promise for humans. Click here to see/read about it.
The Houston Chronicle
Corpus Christi woman to keep 3 of her 237 dogs
CORPUS CHRISTI - A 70-year-old woman won't have to go without a
pet dog after having 237 of the animals removed from her house.
But she also won't be breeding dogs anymore, her lawyer said.
Corpus Christi animal control workers removed the 237 dogs
from Alice Carlson's home last week after getting a complaint
from a workman who made a service call to the home.
Carlson and city officials met behind closed doors for two
hours on Thursday to hammer out an agreement that will allow her
to keep three dogs of her choosing after they are spayed or
neutered.
Nine of the dogs will go back to people who showed proof of
ownership and another dog will be given to Carlson's son, who
lives in Illinois. The remaining 213 dogs will be sent to several
area shelters.
"I believe that this is the best possible solution," said Kelli
Copeland, Animal Care Services manager. "I know that she's a very
nice lady. Her concern was that these dogs got out to good homes."
City officials said the dogs, most of them Pomeranians,
appeared to have food and water under Carlson's care, but they
were suffering from the close quarters. Many of them had to be
shaved because of matted hair built up with excrement.
A city ordinance limits residents to six animals at their
homes unless they have a kennel license.
Carlson's lawyer, David Sibley, said his client never intended
to harm any of the animals. She was "reasonably happy" with the
case's resolution, he said.
"I think the city acknowledged that she is a lovely lady and
meant well," Sibley said. "It didn't rise to the level of
cruelty."
As part of the agreement, Carlson will pay $8,500 to the city
for the cost of boarding and caring for the animals.
"She's ready to move on," Sibley said. "She's finished
breeding."
Copeland said the city received more than 200 applications
from people wishing to adopt the dogs.
HAGERSTOWN, Md. … (AP) … They're not as loaded as Leona
Helmsley's pooch, but three Maryland canines are plenty rich
enough to live high on the dog.
The dogs … named Buckshot, Katie and Obu-Jet … inherited $400,000 and a house in Hagerstown with the death last year of owner Ken Kemper. Altogether, their estate is worth about $800,000.
The beagle and two Labrador mixes were strays when Kemper adopted them. They now live at their house with caretaker Roy Grady.
They might not be aware of their wealth, but they do know that on one night a week Grady treats them to spaghetti dinner, with meatballs and garlic bread.
"They love it,'' he said. "They know when it's coming on Friday, too. They have that time clock.''
They also get top-notch health care. When Katie got out of the yard last summer and was hit by a car, she made 40 visits to a veterinarian's office to mend her broken legs and hip. The bill
was close to $6,000.
Helmsley's dog, a pampered but reportedly ill-tempered Maltese named Trouble, inherited $12 million from the late hotelier. But unlike that pooch, Kemper's pets seem content romping in their
yard.
"They're the most loving dogs,'' Grady said.
Kemper worked for the federally funded Voice of America, and commonly brought home stray dogs when he returned from overseas assignments. The executor of Kemper's estate, longtime friend Karin
Anderson, said that when the dogs die, she will probably donate the remainder of the estate to an animal charity because that's what Kemper would have wanted.
"He really loved animals,'' Anderson said. "The man's heart was so big, it needed its own ZIP code.''
This isn't for a couple weeks, but put it on your calendar. It's bound to be much fun.
Sunday Jan. 27, T.Y. Park, 3300 N. Park Rd., Hollywood, from 10 am-2 pm., a fundraiser for Boxer Friends, Inc.
Contests: Best Dressed Dog, Owner/Dog Look Alike, and Silly Pet Trick. $1 games: Dress Up Race, Bobbing for Hotdogs, Ball Retrieve and Most Tail Wags.
Canine Good Citizen testing - $30.00, offered by AKC- registered evaluator Marni of HumaneK9 ( Dog Massage by Hope will be there. Also a raffle, an auction, Frisbee demos throughout the day
by The Tropicanine Disc Club of South Florida, and a chance to win a $215 Jamis Ranger XR Bicycle: tickets are two for $5.
Goody bag with bonus raffle ticket and event t-shirt, for a $10.00 donation.
All dogs must be current on shots and have proof of current rabies vaccination. Dogs that are not sociable and well behaved may be asked to leave.
Dog Bowl II is open to all members of the family, however all dogs must be accompanied by an adult. Regular weekend park admission fee in effect.
January 1, 2008
The New York Times
Killing Dogs in Training of Doctors Is to End
By NICHOLAS BAKALAR
By next month, all American medical schools will have abandoned a time-honored method of teaching cardiology: operating on dogs to examine their beating hearts, and disposing of them after the lesson.
Case Western Reserve School of Medicine was the last to use the method, but the dean, Dr. Pamela Davis, said it would no longer do so after this month.
On Nov. 19, New York Medical College in Valhalla joined New York’s 11 other medical schools and announced that it would close its dog laboratory.
Among the 126 American medical schools, 11 still sacrifice animals for teaching, according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, an advocacy group that tracks the practice. Other than Case, none of them use dogs.
Francis Belloni, a dean at New York Medical College, said his students now used echocardiograms to study heart function, and the subjects were live medical students rather than live dogs. Dr. Belloni said the use of animals was not done lightly and had value, but added that students would “become just as good doctors without it.”
An important rabies vaccine research study is underway at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine/Madison. Dr. Ronald Schultz, a leading authority on veterinary vaccines and Chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, has begun concurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies to determine the long-term duration of immunity of the canine rabies vaccine, with the goal of extending the state-mandated interval for boosters. These will be the first long-term challenge studies on the canine rabies vaccine to be published in the United States. This research is being financed by The Rabies Challenge Fund, a charitable trust founded by pet vaccine disclosure advocate Kris L. Christine of Maine.
The Rabies Challenge Fund recently met its goal of $177,000 to fund the studies’ first year budget with contributions from dog owners, canine groups, trainers, veterinarians, and small businesses. Annual budget goals of $150,000 for the studies must be met in the future.
Scientific data published in 1992 by Michel Aubert and his research team demonstrated that dogs were immune to a rabies challenge 5 years after vaccination, while Dr. Schultz’s serological studies documented antibody titer counts at levels known to confer immunity to rabies 7 years post-vaccination. This data strongly suggests that state laws requiring annual or triennial rabies boosters for dogs are redundant. Because the rabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and associated with significant adverse reactions, it should not be given more often than is necessary to maintain immunity. Adverse reactions such autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy; and fibrosarcomas at injection sites are linked to rabies vaccinations.
Click here for information about how you can help.
It’s Raining Men! Hallelujah! It’s Raining Men! Every Specimen! Tall, blonde, dark and lean, rough and tough and strong and mean! ....and Caring About the Strays is there to provide the men!!! We will be auctioning some of our calendar models (and some non-models) for a charity date! The winning ladies will get a date and a dinner for two from restaurants such as Chispa Restaurant & Bar, Basilico Ristorante, Pasha’s, Holleman’s Steak and Seafood, and wine tastings from The Best Cellar among many other places! Remember, this date is for charity. All proceeds go to Caring About the Strays so its volunteers can continue rescuing homeless animals, providing proper health care, spaying and neutering, and searching for good, loving homes. We also have an 8-Minute Dating Singles Mingle. There will singles of all ages, both men and women, ready to meet and greet. For the married or involved guest, this is the last chance to purchase a calendar and get it autographed. Our models will be there to do so! Help us make our last calendar event a huge success! Saturday, January 19th • 6:00pm to 9:00pm Cielo Garden & Supperclub, 3390 Mary Street, Streets of Mayfair, Coconut Grove 33133 Caring About the Strays has put together a beautiful, trendy calendar as a much needed fundraising piece. Twelve handsome men volunteered to pose with some of our rescues. Caring About the Strays is a non-profit rescue group based in Miami Springs. The group has spayed and neutered over 3,000 cats and dogs in the nine years since it was founded. Adoptions average 150-200 cats, dogs, kittens and puppies each year. Caring About The Strays | P.O. Box 661160 | Miami Springs, Florida 33266 | 305.889.0840 | caringaboutthestrays.com _________________________________________________________________
Whisker Mixer to benefit animal rescue
The first Whisker Mixer, a fundraising party for pets and their people, will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, in the outdoor patio of Stick & Stein, 28 Krome Ave. in downtown Homestead.
Volunteers Needed To Assist with Shelter’s Largest
Fundraising Event of the Year
Fort Lauderdale, FL –The Humane Society of Broward County will be hosting the annual Walk for the Animals on Saturday, March 1, at Esplanade Park, downtown Fort Lauderdale. Fifty volunteers are needed to assist in various capacities, and early risers, those with computer experience and people who enjoy walking are encouraged to participate. Students fifteen years of age and older can earn school required community service hours when accompanied by an adult. Contact Colette at 954-266-6814 or csaucier@hsbroward.com by February 10th for more details.
Animal Services is always in need of donations from the public!
Wish List
SHELTER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!
Financial donations in the form of checks should be made out to the Board of County Commissioners with the memo line noting Animal Services Trust Fund.
Donations are tax-deductible and can be sent to:
Miami-Dade County Animal Trust Fund, 7401 NW 74 St. Miami, FL 33166
Donations in the form of financial assistance, gift certificates from print/copy stores, local home improvement, hardware, or pet stores, will be used to help promote and supply the main and south shelters.
For more information, please contact 305-805-1778 or email asanche@miamidade.gov or visit us at http://animals.miamidade.gov/
Video | The '12 Dogs of Christmas' photo shoot
Wallpapers | Download your favorite of the 12 Dogs of Christmas | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
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| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
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