Crazy for Critters

Big Benefit This Weekend

It's on Sunday: The Twelfth Annual Howl-I-Day Brunch for the Animals

WHEN:  Sunday, December 7, 2008 from 11:00 am– 2:00 pm

WHERE:  Loews Miami Beach Hotel, 1601 Collins Ave.

BACKGROUND: Join event emcee “Mr. Miami Beach” Michael Aller at this special 12^th Annual Holiday Brunch as you treat your pet to his own dish from the Loews Loves Pets Room Service Menu. Visit trendy area merchant booths and participate in the silent auction.

                                    A majority of the proceeds raised will benefit the more than 2,000 animals cared for annually at the Humane Society of Greater Miami Adopt a Pet. A portion of the proceeds will benefit ModestNeeds.Org.

The Humane Society of Greater Miami Adopt-A-Pet is a limited admit, adoption guarantee facility dedicated to placing every dog and cat in our care into a loving home, and to promoting responsible pet ownership and spay/neuter programs.

TICKETS:                     $100 per person, $35 per child, ages 5-10.

Leashed and vaccinated dogs are our guests.

MORE INFO:                 Seating is limited so please make your reservation early.

Call the Bark Hotline at 305.749.1816. Valet parking is $25 or self parking is available at the Anchor Garage located directly across the street from the hotel.

Pet Nights at the Mall

December 2008 - This Holiday Season, Dolphin Mall presents their second annual Pet Nights.  Pet owners are invited to bring their cats and dogs to visit with Santa on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 pm to 9 pm on December 3^rd, 10^th and 17^th at The Snow Globes Featuring The Polar Express located 2^nd floor Ramblas.

Visitors can choose from the same state-of-the art digital photographs offered during the traditional photos with Santa.  New this year, Shutterfly, the internet-based social expression and personal publishing service, is providing an innovative digital photo option.  Customers who purchase one of the deluxe photo packages will receive their pictures on a portable, reusable
128 MB flash drive along with a $25 Shutterfly "Create-It card," so they can easily turn their photos into unique gifts like photo books, greeting cards and prints.  Pet Owners will receive a free bowl with the purchase of a photo package on the dates/times indicated, while supplies last. Pets must be up-to-date on their shots and must either be on a leash or carried in a lightweight, portable pet carrier with harness.

Dolphin Mall is an enclosed value retail/entertainment/dining destination with and 850-seat food court and more than 240 retailers. Hours of operation are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with extended hours during the holidays and in the Ramblas entertainment area.

Rescue Fundraiser Tomorrow-- thursday

It's for Sabbath Memorial Rescue, a Miami-based operation that runs a nonprofit shelter. They take strays and the hard cases, and REALLY need financial help. It starts at 6:30 pm tomorrow, Nov. 20, at Tiki Beach, 4550 Collins Ave., Miami Beach. It's $50 at the door, with complimentary drinks and noshes. There's a silent auction and raffle.

For more info, go to sabbathrescue.org.

Sabbath Rescue Needs Help

So the nonprofit group is holding a benefit, on Nov. 24. Time TBA.

WHERE: The Tikki Beach Bar located on Collins and 45^th Street, Miami Beach FL

SPONSORS: Karina Schuh, Rachel Vicente-Larrea and Marlene Pendergst, who are acting as intermediaries to raise well needed capital to operate the over crowded facility.

WHY: In recent months, the mortgage crisis has forced many families to abandon their homes, leaving behind innocent victims; loving and faithful pets. The Sabbath Memorial Animal Rescue organization is one of the many rescue groups that has taken the arduous task of sheltering these pets and giving them a second chance by finding them either new homes or reuniting them with their families once they have re-establish themselves.

Hollywood Dog Beach Event

Dear Dog Beach supporters,
We would like to announce a fundraising beach event on Sunday December 7, 2008., 3-7 p.m. at the beach: A1A between Pershing and Custer streets.

During the "Dog Beach Goes Hollywood" event, a red carpet will be waiting for your beloved pooches. Tina Valant, award winning photographer will be there to take family portraits & candid dog pictures for your holiday cards. Prices will start at $25.00. Please make sure to reserve your time slot in advance since there is a limited amount of appointments available. To reserve your photo session call Tina at 561 945 - 6363 or email her at tvalant@aol.com.

On this day we will be selling our new DBOH T-shirts & caps. Jacklyn Laflamme, who donated the designs for the T-shirts is an ardent artist & connoisseur of modern art. Her paintings can be found in prestigious art galleries & exhibitions all around South Florida. We are grateful & excited to have her unique art printed in our T-shirts. 

Calling all talented dogs!  For this event, DBOH is looking for the most extraordinary teams of dogs & owners in South Florida to Compete for the title of "Florida's top dog." From pure breeds to mutts, Pugs to Great Danes and agility dogs to dogs who can dance - we want all types of talented canines. The winning team will walk away with a Dog Beach T-shirt, a $100.00 gift certificate from DogsGoWalking.com , bragging rights, an academy award for best performing dog plus your dog will be part of the DBOH video that will be presented during the 2009 summer's Dog Exhibit at the Arts & Culture Center in Hollywood.  (see art exhibit details below) To sign up  - e-mail Helena at rossoss@aol.com or call 954 628 5455. Please e-mail your name, breed, dog's name, talent, phone # & a picture of you and your dog if available.

Refreshments, raffles, dog treats & other fun surprises will be waiting. Proceeds from this event support Dog Beach of Hollywood. DBOH is a non-profit organization who works in conjunction with the Hollywood Parks division to ensure that the dog beach stays open.

Got Towels?

The Humane Society of Broward County needs "new or gently used towels, white for the kennels and colors and patterns for bathing; soft dog treats and cat treats; paper towels for cleaning; rubber dog toys that can be disinfected, and cat toys; hand sanitizer; and of course monetary donations are always welcomed to help offset the costs of medications and expenses associated with operating the shelter.

"If you want to help us help the animals, please bring your donations to the shelter located at

2070 Griffin Road

, just west of I-95.  The shelter is open seven days a week and adoptions open at 10:00 AM everyday.  For information about upcoming events or to see who is looking for a home, visit http://www.humanebroward.com/ .''

Anniversary Celebration

It's 72 years for The Humane Society of Greater Miami/Adopt-a-Pet, and they're celebrating Sunday with half-price adoptions, games, pet contests, rummage and bake sales, and drawings. It starts at noon, ends at 4 p.m.

The shelter is at 16101 W. Dixie Highway, North Miami Beach. Have fun! Take home a critter!

I Think This Will be a Must-See-TV Event

In 2001, an LAPD officer in South Central Los Angeles named Tami Baumann noticed a homeless woman with a shopping cart and a couple of dogs – nothing too unusual in Baumann’s world.  But the effect the two women would have on each other’s lives, as portrayed in Hallmark Channel’s real-life drama, “Accidental Friendship” (which premieres Saturday, November 15 at 9pm/8c), would be something neither would ever forget.  This story is available, with photos, for all press uses from Crown Features Syndicate.

No Bailout for ‘Foreclosure Pets?’

Crown Features Syndicate

The lonely dog was tied to the door of an animal shelter when the first worker arrived one morning.  The note pinned to his collar read, “I’m sorry, I can't take care of my kids, and take care of my dog. Please take care of my dog."

It would be shocking if it wasn’t becoming so commonplace.  In light of the immense economic troubles everyday people are finding themselves in, many families are being forced to give up beloved animals, leading to the coining of the phrase “Foreclosure Pets.”

Animal shelters across the country have reported a year-to-year increase in animal drop-offs of 25 percent or more.  Many shelters have had to buy temporary trailers to house the new arrivals.  In some heart-wrenching extreme cases, some pets are just abandoned.  In the Midwest, there have been stories of horses simply being set free, because the owners can’t even afford vet costs for euthanasia.

On Saturday, November 15 (9/8c), Hallmark Channel presents “Accidental Friendship,” the true-story of a woman (played by Chandra Wilson, “Grey’s Anatomy”) living on the streets of Los Angeles after losing her home and job, but whose life was given some meaning thanks to the dogs she cared for and protected at all costs, even if it meant forgoing necessities for herself. 

It is a stark reminder that, even in times of hardship, pets bring us joy, companionship and often a sense of purpose.  They can be a beacon of hope and should not be discarded lightly, even – and perhaps especially – during the difficult times many of our friends and neighbors find themselves in.

All These Critters Need Homes

Let's start with this little terrier, who looks like he's part Schnauzer. "He was running in the middle of the street when a friend stopped traffic to grab him...he's a good little guy... she has 2 dogs and can't keep him.... if you
are interested in giving him a good home please call Betty at 305-968-6172.''

Next: A whole bunch of shepherd-mix puppies in various combos of the colors you see on this little sweetie. There are eight of them and they're six weeks old. Call: 305.670.3700.

Poodle anyone? She's 10, she's blind, and some unspeakable jerk left her at a grooming studio four freaking months ago!! She's in good health. Call 305-409-8442 or
305-766-5521.

And, for a little variety, some kittens. "My husband and I rescued a young cat several months ago that turned out to be pregnant with 4 kittens!  The kittens are now a little over 9 weeks old and just adorable, they have had their first set of shots and are litter box trained.  All are indoor kitties, sweet, well natured, healthy, and of course, love to play!  We are keeping one kitten and the mother in addition to our older cat.'' Call   
561-391-0123 or 561.297.3868.

 
And last but CERTIANLY not least: Bear. He is, as you can see, a St. Bernard. Here's the story I got:

"Bear needs an adult-only home with no other pets. An adoption fell through, as Bear's insecurity issues became evident about 1.5 days after he was with this wonderful and loving family. It was "almost" perfect, as they had no children, BUT, they had a female SB, which adored Bear, up until Bear took emotional possession of the husband, and wouldn't allow the female SB anywhere near the husband. Bear is always "okay" and non-aggressive until he becomes emotionally attached to one person, then that's it....no other dogs are allowed to be in the household.  He's fine with a husband & wife, but NO children and NO other pets.

 

"So after biting this family's SB a few times...they said they didn't mind, as there were no tears, just some bites, they returned Bear to where he has been boarded these past few weeks (at $26. per day)....the husband and wife were both in tears, as they adored Bear, but their female SB was hiding in the house to keep away from Bear as he wanted to be king of their home. He's 15-months old, and will obey all commands...If there was ever an SB that deserved to live after everything this guy has been through, it's Bear.''

Contact roxannehinkle@mindspring.com.

Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month

As far as I'm concerned, EVERY month is adopt-a-shelter-pet month, but it's officially October. A good way to find shelters is at petfiender.com, with 140,000 adoptable dogs listed through a network that includes more than 11,900 animal shelters and rescue groups.

Go get one!!