Consider carefully before getting a dog or cat

Those thinking of getting a pet for Christmas should consider the move carefully. It involves commitment.

Budgeting funds for food and veterinary care is one concern. Spaying or neutering is a one-time cost, but some animals require professional grooming, and dogs require licenses.

Allocating time and attention is an even bigger responsibility. Those considering whether to acquire a dog or cat should plan to spend time each day exercising and interacting with their pet.

And they should plan on that commitment lasting a lifetime. They might bring home a puppy or kitten, but they eventually will have a dog or a cat. The adult version can differ greatly from the young version.

In some respects, that's good; puppies are cute, for example, but both ends can cause trouble until the pooch is trained. Yet the youthful stage lasts just months; pets live for years.

Couples who think caring for a pet may provide a preview of how they'd handle starting a family should ponder that point. If all goes according to plan. the couple would be caring for an infant and a dog or cat.

Of course, people who want a pet could forego the puppy or kitten stage and adopt an adult animal. That's highly commendable. But before going to a shelter, consider why pets end up there. Often, it's because a former owner no longer has the time or money to care for them properly.

We're not advising against making the decision to care for a pet. We just ask that anyone considering such a choice first commit to thinking through the decision before taking on the responsibility. The reward can be a gift that keeps on giving - as long as the owner promises to give in return.

Pets and Animals - A Mans Best Friend

It is perfectly normal to want pets inside your homes. As a human being, it is but natural to have an affinity for pets-and-animals. However, you should realize that there is a difference between pets-and-animals – the former can stay with you at home, while the latter may not necessarily be a good idea for a home companion. If you have kids, the more that you should be aware of the different pets-and-animals that may or may not be ideal for your humble abode.

We absolutely love the idea of getting adventurous and petting your own scorpion. However, that stuff is only nice to see in movies. If you really want your kids to enjoy pets-and-animals at home, get a pet that will not sting or hurt anyone. Speaking of hurt, you might also want to keep your house away from the presence of forest animals. There are in fact families who are thinking of petting a deer, but they are not in any way friendly as you think.

There is also the possibility of risking people’s health when you choose to pet this kind of animal. Turtles are also great pets, however, make sure that you do not get a snapping turtle unless you have a large tank in your house that can serve as its home. Aside from those aforementioned animals, there are also a few people who’ve managed to pet chimpanzees inside their very home. However, if you want to keep your home and children away from possible violence and too much clutter, you might want to just disregard that idea.

Pet food banks to get big boost from new Petco drive

When the Petco Foundation launches its national food bank drive for the holiday season Friday, Tom Wargo is going to be one happy man.


He knows the contributions will mean he doesn't have to turn away as many people who can't afford to feed their pets. Wargo is the director of Daffy's Pet Soup Kitchens in Georgia. He says when he started his soup kitchen in 1997, people referred to him as the "crazy dog food guy." He's a hero to thousands now.


"The idea is to help families feed their pets so they don't have to take them to shelters,'' said Petco Foundation executive director Tom Jolly. "The food banks are really filling a need in the communities now.''


Petco stores have bins where shoppers can drop off cans and sealed bags of food for cats and dogs as well as kitty litter.


Why pet food banks? One in eight families is taking part in food banks, according to the Petco Foundation, and many of these families also have pets who need food. Petco started the program in March. Its stores partner with a local food bank or animal welfare group to donate pet food and litter directly to economically stressed consumers in that store's community. The initiative has already provided more than 110 tons of pet food and litter to those in need. But pets continue to end up in shelters. Keeping pets healthy and out of the shelters during the holidays is a key goal.

"Petco's contributions to us are helping in more ways than one,'' says Wargo, adding when people come to the food banks, he and other volunteers get a chance to open conversations about spay and neuter programs. Again, fewer animals for the shelters. "We help them find affordable veterinary care,'' he says.

Families visit the food banks once a month and pick up enough food for two pets.

"It's really the perfect point of contact for families to learn about caring for pets,'' says Jolly. "Also research shows a fixed animal is likely to stay in a home because they are a greater value to the owner."

Jolly says many of the stores will have a can of food at the register that can be purchased and adding to the food bin. The stores can tell customers or those in need which food bank or shelter is serving their area.

READERS: What a great effort this is to help families and pets stay together. Any contribution helps, including foods for senior pets and pets requiring special diets. Right now, it's just for cats and dogs. Here's another story about a volunteer who helps collect and distribute food for cats in Oregon.

Teaming up to help shelter animals

By Hilary Dickinson
hdickinson@beloitdailynews.com
Published: Monday, December 28, 2009 3:44 PM CST
ROCKFORD — Not long ago at the Winnebago County Animal Shelter, many of the animals sat on concrete with not much to do.

Then 12-year-old Corey Lawson teamed up with Backyard Grill & Bar to earn $600 and two truckloads of food and toys.

“It was a big success. I loved going over to the shelter and seeing how they really put (the donations) to good use,” Lawson said. “All the dogs and cats had new beds and new toys in their cages. It was really nice to see.”

Now Lawson has teamed up again with the restaurant to this time collect items for the PAWS (Pets Are Worth Saving) Humane Society in Rockford.

Running until Thursday, Backyard Grill & Bar will collect supplies and donations at all three locations (Roscoe, Loves Park and Cherry Valley).

Customers can bring in supplies for the animals or color in a paw to give a monetary donation. The colored-in paw will then be hung up in the restaurant. The restaurant will in turn give out one of four coupons for these customers.

“Since I had so much fun last year and it was such a success, why not keep doing it?” Lawson asked.

Lawson originally decided to start this fundraiser last year as part of a community service project in his sixth grade social studies class at Roscoe Middle School.

“I love animals, and I wanted to help the homeless animals,” he said. He added that his first thought was to volunteer at the Winnebago County Animal Shelter, but was not old enough. “So, I thought about it and decided to help out homeless animals in another way.”

In addition to the $600, toys, beds, blankets and food, the animal shelter also was able to purchase more land to extend the runs, he said.

“They were also able to use the money we got to go to a spaying and neutering fund, so fewer animals are going to be on the street getting run over and whatnot,” Lawson said.

This year, however, he decided to donate to the PAWs Humane Society because he said he wants to give good donations to every place that helps animals.

Though not quite a teenager, Lawson said he wants to help shelters because he knows donations are down because of the economic downturn.

When he grows up, Lawson said he still wants to help animals by becoming a scientist who develops medicine for people and animals.

In the meantime, however, he is focused on helping the PAWS Humane Society.

“The place is kind of overflowing with animals right now and adoptions would be good,” Lawson said. “If you’re looking for some sort of pet or animal or some sort of friend, this is the place to go.”

Socks, Clintons’ Abandoned Cat, Finally Dies

Socks the Cat, sorta beloved pet of the Clintons, died on Friday in the care of retired Clinton secretary Bettie Currie. And why was Currie watching over Socks? Because when Bill Clinton left the White House for New York, he brought along newer pet Buddy the Dog, who was soon run over and crushed to death by a car. Socks was supposedly going to live in Hillary’s fancy new house in Washington, but Hillary was never quite “ready” to allow her own pet — a helpless animal — to move to Georgetown. So poor old Socks was stuck with Mrs. Currie, or poor old Mrs. Currie was stuck with Socks. But at least they were no longer stuck with the Clintons, the end.

The picture perfect cat -- Punky

Posted by Katy Batdorff | The Grand Rapids Press February 14, 2009 08:52AM

I met Punky while shooting a story on a pet digital camera called Pet's Eye View for a story on animal technology.

I was told that Punky is the "office cat" at Mutt Cutts in Coopersville. She is a photographers dream... She can pose, knows how to light herself, and isn't embarrassed to do something foolish to get attention.

E-mail Katy Batdorff kbatdorff@grpress.com

Surgical Success For One Tiny Oklahoma City Chihuahua

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (PRWEB) January 25, 2009 -- Almost six months following the birth of a newly orphaned Chihuahua with severe facial deformities, high hopes for a successful cleft palate repair were realized!

Oklahoma Board Certified Veterinary Surgeon, Dr. Ellen Domnick, DVM - was able to successfully repair the hard palate deformity in a 45 minute procedure which took place at the pup's current treating hospital: Neel Veterinary Hospital. (OKC, OK)

At 24 weeks old and 28 ounces, Baby Emma is just 10 days post op -- but the outcome of the procedure looks to be a positive one!

Emma is recovering nicely at home and is suffering little ill effects of her ordeal.

Dr. Domnick also attempted to reconstruct Emma's lip and nasal deformities in order to give her a functioning nasal passageway -- where she previously had none. The next few weeks will reveal whether this has indeed been accomplished.

In the meantime, Emma continues to do well with her newly reconstructed palate. On January 17th, just two days post-op, she reveled in her success with her very first "real meal"!

Tiny Emma was born on August 4th, 2008 to an Oklahoma family who did not notice her severe cleft palate, cleft lip and nasal/facial deformities until the following evening.

Seventeen hours following her birth, Emma's original owners posted a desperate ad on craigslist.com -- where she drew the attention of Dena Lamkin.

The tiny 3.4 ounce, 20-hour-old Chihuahua pup was adopted by the Lamkin family and quickly began to thrive.

Emma's deformities would not allow her to suckle from her mother, a bottle -- or eat normally via other methods. She was tube fed a diet of Esbilac puppy milk replacer formula (fully donated by PetAg, Inc.) every 2 hours around the clock, for the first four months of her life. Then, moving on to a mixture of formula along with wet puppy food via a syringe every 3 to 4 hours ... until now, almost six months later!

Emma's first meal of solid foods consisted of boiled chicken and rice with carrots, peas and Missing Link supplement. Unsure at first, she quickly realized what all the fuss was about and happily gobbled down every last bite!

"Emma continues to amaze us every single day .... no matter what this precious baby has to face -- she always tries to do it smiling and with wide eyed wonder ... she has such an awesome spirit!"

"We are so pleased with all that this tiny girl has accomplished! But we know that we couldn't have done it without the ongoing love and support from those who hold Emma and our family in their prayers and continue to touch our hearts with the comments, emails, cards, gifts and phone calls! We feel so blessed to have such an amazing support system!"

Since Emma's birth, her story has reached thousands around the country ... and the world!

Contacts from not only the families of cleft palate puppies -- but from the parents and family members of cleft affected children -- began pouring in as local news stations, youtube videos and numerous web pages told of Baby Emma's trials and triumphs.

Emma appears regularly in the dog fancier's bi-monthly magazine, Chihuahua Connection and her story has been told via the nationwide radio talk show, Animal Radio.

The attempts to share the blessings that Emma and the Lamkin family have received continue on as they "Paw It Forward" through their many charity efforts.

The Lamkin family is currently in the beginning stages of planning in order to complete the complex filing/application processes to attain federal 501 (c) (3) status so that they may better continue their charity service.

"We have many plans in the works to benefit both children and animals living with cleft palate and craniofacial deformities nationwide!"

The foundation's mission is two fold ... ideally, to create and maintain a nationwide database of certified pet therapy dogs with a passion geared towards aiding in the comfort and companionship of children suffering with cleft and craniofacial conditions. Patients and service dogs will be linked and matched to create the best possible experience for both. Through the implemented network, families around the country may request and receive animal assisted therapy sessions in their area to benefit the recovery and rehabilitation of their children.

Additionally, the foundation will form a nationwide foster and rehabilitation program which would give puppies born with cleft and craniofacial deformities, proper care, treatment, surgical procedures and family placement as they grow and fully recover. At that time, these dogs will be permanently placed in families dedicated to the foundation's mission and entered into the ever growing database in which they will serve as members of the foundation's pet therapy team.

"In the meantime, we will continue with our efforts to reach cleft children and their families in support and recognition..... we will continue to aid families with cleft puppies in getting the care and treatment that they require to survive.... and we will continue to promote awareness and support of the same!"

There is currently a fund raiser/pledge drive going on to help raise the funds necessary to build Emma's non profit foundation and provide for its mission.

Join In Emma's Non Profit Foundation Fund Raiser

"It is our goal that this fund raiser page be visited by one million viewers! We just need 220 pledges of 100.00 each for the fund raiser to succeed, but if Emma's story can find its way into the hearts of one million viewers -- the TRUE SUCCESS will be immeasurable!"

Additionally, Emma's good friend Linda Higgins, renowned Interior Designer of 37 years, has "gone to the dogs" with her new line of couture pet apparel!

In yet another effort to promote Emma's foundation and raise funds for the same, Mrs. Higgins has created an incredible line of daily wear dresses and formal gowns called "Emma"! What a fabulous honor!

A portion of the proceeds received from this amazing fashion line will go to aid in the many charity projects carried out by Emma's non profit foundation.

"We are working on a children's book to offer as a source of comfort and understanding to kids going through the same thing... I think these children will really be able to relate to Emma on a level that we, as adults may not."

Also in the plans, is an autobiography of Emma's story. Watch for it on Amazon.com this fall!

Robbers Pour Deadly Cleaner Over Dachshund

January 16 - A pet dog is dead after robbers who broke into the home, doused the poor animal in toxins.

Nancy Sheppard was not at her Michigan home when a person or persons broke in, pouring a mixture of poisonous toxins over her dachshund mix Lucky.

A neighbor noticed that the door to Nancy's home was open and called police who responded.

They found the little dog in his crate, covered in the poisonous mixture, that was also in his food and water bowl.

Police say that the person or persons, stole some coins but other than that, nothing else appears to be missing.

They are currently investigating the incident but do not have any leads at this time.

Pets are for life not just for Christmas, so make sure pet insurance is under the tree

Pet insurance should be at the top of pet owners' Christmas list and is the best thing they could buy their pet, according to research carried out on behalf of the Association of British Insurers (ABI).

The ABI has revealed that almost a third of Brits would consider giving a pet as a gift at Christmas, but found that many pet owners are unaware of how expensive vet bills can be if the animal is injured or becomes ill, making pet insurance a valuable purchase.

Nick Starling, director of general insurance and health at the ABI, warned that "if they need veterinary treatment, bills can run into hundreds or even thousands of pounds. Having pet insurance in place means that pet owners can have the confidence that their pets will get the best treatment without having to find money to cover large bills. This is even more important during hard economic times when household finances are already stretched."

Meanwhile, a study by MORE TH>N has discovered that the average dog can put on as much as the equivalent to one human stone in weight over the Christmas period as a result of misguided owners giving them too many treats.

This can put them at risk of developing a number of serious illnesses, the pet insurance provider warned, and urges dog owners to consider the consequences of giving uneaten mince pies and other Christmas leftovers to their pooch.

"Dog owners really do need to take care of their animals during the festive season" urges Pete Markey, head of MORE TH>N pet insurance, as "misguided kindness when it comes to treats could cause serious health issues for the nation's dogs in the New Year."

But the bark could be worse than the bite and MORE TH>N's fears could be unfounded this credit crunch Christmas, as cash-strapped families are less likely to treat their pets, according to research from Saga pet insurance which found that it's not just humans who are feeling the pinch.

Of dog owners aged 50 or over, just 54 per cent will be buying presents for their dogs, compared to 68 per cent in previous years.

Some of those who cannot afford the treats might be among the four per cent of British pet owners who will send their beloved pet a Christmas card.

Virginia woman sues SPCA. They let someone adopt her dog.

A dog escaped a yard in Newport News, Virginia, was picked up, and taken to the animal shelter.

The dog's owner, Catherine Welch made repeated attempts to locate the missing bichon/poodle mixed breed dog and gave the SPCA a description of her pet. The shelter allowed someone else to adopt the dog.

The woman who originally found the lost pet saw Welch's flyer and contacted her telling her she had taken the dog to the shelter the day the dog went missing.

The shelter refused to release the name of the person who adopted the dog. Welch filed suit to have the name released. Five months after the adoption mistake, the SPCA released the name of the person who adopted the dog.

This is obviously an unusual occurrence.

Read the rest at the Daily Press and learn about Welch's reunion with her dog named Diamond.

Family Holiday Traditions of Feeding Homeless Pets Can Mean the Gift of Life

The joy of giving to pets who are suffering in our economic crisis can be the most rewarding and memorable holiday tradition of the season. The article, Twelve Family Holiday Traditions That Help Homeless Pets from the website Animal Shelter Tips, outlines easy and low cost ways to share the joy of the season and even the gift of life with homeless pets.

Santa Fe, NM (PRWEB) December 8, 2008 -- Homeless and needy pets are facing a bleak future in our economic turmoil. Donations to animal shelters are down, and many financially strapped pet owners are surrendering their pets to shelters that are already full.
When asked what they most like or remember about past holidays, adults and kids usually respond with fond memories of traditions or family activities rather than gifts they received. What could be more memorable and meaningful than giving the gift of life to homeless and needy pets? The love and companionship of pets represent the true meaning of the season. Families can start holiday traditions to help these pets.

The website Animal Shelter Tips has posted the article, "Twelve Family Holiday Traditions That Help Homeless Pets", to help parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and kids find ideas for family activities, including:

Consider dividing the amount spent on kids between traditional gifts and donations to the local animal shelter to help homeless pets.

For example, print a photo of a homeless dog from the local shelter on photo sized paper and place that photo in a card or wrapped gift. Include a note with wording such as "Bobby, your Aunt Jenny sent a donation in your name that will feed me for three months. I'm an eight year old sweetheart of a black Lab still waiting for my forever home. This helps me so much. Thank you! Zack."

Sponsor a kids' Christmas party at home on behalf of the local animal shelter's pets.

Each child can bring pet food from the shelter's wish list. Match the kids' contribution of food pound per pound. Ask friends to do the same with their kids and make it a competition between families, neighborhoods, etc.

Aunts and uncles, as well as grandparents, often struggle with gift ideas and activities for kids in the family. Start a tradition of helping homeless and needy pets with younger family members.

For example, an aunt can take her niece shopping for pet food for the local shelter. Take the shelter's wish list on the shopping trip as well as a photo of a shelter dog or cat. Go together to deliver the food. Call ahead and ask to walk a shelter dog or help socialize a shelter cat. This activity, together with lunch, a movie, or a visit to see Santa, will create memories for both aunt and niece as well as teach the youngster how much our homeless friends need help.

Does your family draw names for holiday gifts? Ask for volunteers (probably adults) to withdraw their own names and substitute pets' names from your local animal shelter. Include a photo of the pet, its name, age, and a food preference on a card.

The person who draws a pet's name can buy pet food. Make sure the kids in the family understand that family members gave up gifts for themselves so homeless pets can be fed. Take the kids along when the items are delivered to the shelter.

More ideas are listed at Twelve Family Holiday Traditions That Help Homeless Pets.

Holiday ideas just for kids are listed at Twenty Ways Kids Can Share the Holidays with Homeless Pets.

Combining holiday traditions with helping homeless and needy pets could be one of the best reminders that it's better to give than receive.

About Animal Shelter Tips:
Website author Cathy Grace was inspired to launch Animal Shelter Tips by the homeless pets she's adopted. Her work background is in marketing and publishing, but her passion is her animals. She's welcomed into her home cats from the Santa Fe, New Mexico, Animal Shelter and Humane Society, the no-kill shelter Operation Kindness in Carrollton, Texas, as well as a kitten appearing at her doorstep in Evergreen, Colorado.

Ask the expert: Pet Subjects

By Pete Wedderburn
Last Updated: 12:00PM GMT 02 Dec 2008

We have two cats, Molly and Alfie, aged three and four years respectively. Mollie has always rubbed her head and face around door frames, leaving black marks which I can only remove with a cream cleaner. Alfie never does this. Can you explain what she is doing and how I can stop her? She is very nervous and I do not like to get angry with her.

MB, by email

Cats have scent glands on their faces and flanks and at the base of their tails. When they rub against objects (or people), they are depositing scent marks that are undetectable to humans. Once an area has been marked in this way, it makes it seem more like "home" to a cat, and this seems to provide some type of social reassurance to the animal. You can buy a spray called Feliway which contains synthetic cat pheromones of the type contained in cat facial scent. If you spray this around the doors, Molly might not feel the need to continue to rub against these areas because she will already regard them as "done". Alfie sounds like a more confident cat and his scent-marking areas are probably out in the garden, further away from the inner home area.

I have a two-year-old male English springer spaniel who misbehaves when he sees stones on the beach. He ignores any commands and goes up to other people, barking for them to throw stones for him. I have tried fitting him with a muzzle, but this does not stop him. He is fine elsewhere. It just seems to be the stones on the beach that affect him.

LR, by email

His breed is strongly motivated to play throw and fetch. Stones on a beach are ideal for this game. He gets a reward every time someone gives in and throws one for him. You need to train him to prefer toys to the stones. Find something that he really loves, then teach him that this is preferable to a stone. One way to do this would be to bring some stones into the garden. You can then practise throw and fetch with toys, while ignoring him when he picks up a stone. This could then progress to similar play in a park and, finally, on the beach. He will gradually learn that the only thing he can play with is the toy and that stones are not worth bothering with.

Are people serious when they say that rats are "good pets for children"? How can disease-ridden rodents be compared with cute creatures such as hamsters and guinea pigs?

MP, Poole, Dorset

You are not alone in feeling negative about rats. I know people who are so repulsed by them that they can't even stay in the same room as a rat in a cage. But I also know dozens of children who adore their pet rats. They are intelligent, clean and playful creatures, much less likely to bite their owners than hamsters. The risk of a human picking up disease from a rat is no greater than from a dog or a cat (but, as with any pet, it makes sense to wash your hands after handling them). You need to plan properly before getting a pet rat. But for children over the age of eight, I would definitely place them in the top 10 of suitable pets. If you think rats are bad, what do you think about another new pet trend: cockroaches?

Zoe Looking For Home With Friends

This week’s featured pet is Zoe, a gorgeous 3 year old Himalayan.



She is very sweet, spayed, current on shots and been around other cats and small dogs.



Pets available through WCFA include:






Felines:



Baby - a very sweet 10 year old Persian tortoise female feline



Marmalade - a 5 year old petite, friendly feline, spayed and current on shots



Ms. Kiddy - 4 years old, spayed, good with other cats and small dogs.






Canines:



Snoop Dog - a two-year old boxer mix, neutered, current on shots, a great guy



Brandi - a cute terrier mix, small, about 15 pounds



Cocoa - a neutered, male Chihuahua, cute little guy






Please check the web site at www.wecareforanimals.org for pictures and a complete listing of animals available.



All animals in foster care are, or will be, spayed and neutered and ready to become active members of your family.



For information on spay/neuter (income restrictions apply), finding a home for your adoptable pet, fostering an animal or making a donation, please call 346-3326.



WCFA can also be reached at WCFA, PO Box 3028, Mesquite, NV 89024 or through the website.

Obama Family On Hunt For Hypoallergenic Pooch

Washington (CWN) - The Obama family is on the hunt for a new addition to their family in the form of a hypoallergenic dog.

Malia, Barack’s oldest daughter has allergies, meaning that owning a regular dog is not an option for the family.

One only needs to perform a search online for “hypoallergenic dogs” to find an entire list of web sites and breeders who claim to offer them, but how many are actually for real? Very, very few.

Many leading animal experts stress that to their knowledge, a hypoallergenic dog does not even exist.

The major allergeon found in dogs is a protein found in dog serum, which is excreted from the animal when they sweat and shedd.

Good luck Obama family, you’ll need it.

Man not guilty in dog death Not guilty

RALEIGH - David Lance Upchurch was found not guilty Monday in the death of Noah, a small dog with a brave, but apparently diseased, heart.
The case of the coddled Chihuahua divided a Southeast Raleigh neighborhood and drew big interest from the general public and members of the legal profession. And it may not be over.

Upchurch, 38, of 1028 Cookwood Court, was found not guilty of cruelty to animals after Wake District Court Judge William Lawton ruled he could not conclude Upchurch caused the death of the 12-year-old, long-haired dog.

Wake prosecutor Boz Zellinger had contended that Upchurch fatally injured Noah on Aug. 30 by holding him down and squeezing him between his breastbone and neck.

Upchurch, who works in the information services department of The News & Observer, has said he was defending his black Labrador retriever, Sasha, from a growling, teeth-baring Noah. He maintains he did not apply enough pressure to kill, but Noah died within the hour at Knightdale Animal Hospital.

Zellinger described the loss suffered by Noah's owner, Betty Richardson, as tragic. Richardson doted on her pet, dressing him in tiny outfits and giving him annual stays at a pet resort. She has planted a tree in his memory.

"Noah was a member of her family for 12 years," Zellinger said.

Noah's death so divided Upchurch's neighborhood that Lawton called it a case of minor tribal warfare. He said he hoped his decision Monday would not aggravate an already tense situation.

Noah's death pitted neighbor against neighbor in a cul-de-sac where all but one homeowner owns a dog. On the day that Noah died, angry neighbors -- some who claimed that Noah was choked and kicked -- gathered at the homes of Richardson and Upchurch. T.W. Bowen, a Raleigh police animal control officer, testified Friday that the Cookwood Court residents were "a mob."

On Friday, Lawton ordered supporters of Upchurch and supporters of Richardson to leave the courtroom separately.

On Monday, more than half of Zellinger's fellow prosecutors from the Wake District Attorney's Office showed up in the fifth floor courtroom to hear Lawton's verdict, which he announced after reading an 11-page opinion he wrote during the weekend.

Two small-animal veterinarians testified last week that any trauma Noah might have endured at Upchurch's hand could have worsened an existing heart condition, but they could not testify that it led to Noah's death.

Lawton said Monday the law required an acquittal, despite his "gut feeling and love of small animals."

"The defendant definitely acted without justifiable excuse," Lawton said, questioning why a 170-pound man could not put himself between a 6-pound dog and the 100-pound dog he said was protecting.

Even though Upchurch was found not guilty, he was still smarting. He said he was especially peeved by news reports that quoted him as saying to Richardson: "This is what another dog would do if he wanted to kill your dog."

"I said, 'This is what dogs do to correct each other.' I never used the word 'kill,'" Upchurch said.

"I'm innocent. It's what I've said all along," he said. "Heart disease killed the dog."

Upchurch also disagreed with the judge's observation Monday that he could have resolved the August confrontation between Noah and Sasha without touching the smaller dog. "That's his opinion," Upchurch said. "I would say otherwise."

After the verdict, Noah's owner returned to her home and sat crying in a darkened room.

"My heart is aching right now," Richardson said. "We are going to take it to the next level, just like the O.J. case. We're going to take civil action."


thomasi.mcdonald@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4533

Cox Communications helps local animal shelters place pets with 'Pet Connections'

Posted by kburns October 22, 2008

Cox Communications will partner with local animal shelters to help place animals into homes through "Pet Connexion." The program, which will be part of the Community Bulletin Board on Cox 45, will include pictures of pets available for adoption from local shelters.
"Pet Connexion" is a result of Cox's recent customer survey. The survey showed an overwhelming desire to see programming supporting local animal shelters.

Cox45 reaches more than 75,000 viewers. Animal shelters interested in participating in "Pet Connexion" should contact Dan Monroe at dan.monroe@cox.com or (216) 535-3358.

Doctors: No hamsters or exotic pets for young kids

By LINDSEY TANNER

CHICAGO (AP) — Warning: young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets — or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles, for that matter — because of risks for disease.

That's according to the nation's leading pediatricians' group in a new report about dangers from exotic animals.

Besides evidence that they can carry dangerous and sometimes potentially deadly germs, exotic pets may be more prone than cats and dogs to bite, scratch or claw — putting children younger than 5 particularly at risk, the report says.

Young children are vulnerable because of developing immune systems plus they often put their hands in their mouths.

That means families with children younger than 5 should avoid owning "nontraditional" pets. Also, kids that young should avoid contact with these animals in petting zoos or other public places, according to the report from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The report appears in the October edition of the group's medical journal, Pediatrics.

"Many parents clearly don't understand the risks from various infections" these animals often carry, said Dr. Larry Pickering, the report's lead author and an infectious disease specialist at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For example, about 11 percent of salmonella illnesses in children are thought to stem from contact with lizards, turtles and other reptiles, Pickering said. Hamsters also can carry this germ, which can cause severe diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.

Salmonella also has been found in baby chicks, and young children can get it by kissing or touching the animals and then putting their hands in their mouths, he said.

Study co-author Dr. Joseph Bocchini said he recently treated an infant who got salmonella from the family's pet iguana, which was allowed to roam freely in the home. The child was hospitalized for four weeks but has recovered, said Bocchini, head of the academy's infectious diseases committee and pediatrics chairman at Louisiana State University in Shreveport.

Hedgehogs can be dangerous because their quills can penetrate skin and have been known to spread a bacteria germ that can cause fever, stomach pain and a rash, the report said.

With supervision and precautions like hand-washing, contact between children and animals "is a good thing," Bocchini said. But families should wait until children are older before bringing home an exotic pet, he said.

Those who already have these pets should contact their veterinarians about specific risks and possible new homes for the animals, he said.

Data cited in the study indicate that about 4 million U.S. households have pet reptiles. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, all kinds of exotic pets are on the rise, although generally fewer than 2 percent of households own them.

The veterinarian group's Mike Dutton, a Weare, N.H., exotic animal specialist, said the recommendations send an important message to parents who sometimes buy exotic pets on an impulse, "then they ask questions, sometimes many months later."

But a spokesman for the International Hedgehog Association said there's no reason to single out hedgehogs or other exotic pets.

"Our recommendation is that no animal should be a pet for kids 5 and under," said Z.G. Standing Bear. He runs a rescue operation near Pikes Peak, Colo., for abandoned hedgehogs, which became fad pets about 10 years ago.

From
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ha3U4JlgnDXYw7PiAzCGj_Gsvt0QD93KUGC80

Pets Can’t Lie, but Pet Food Manufacturers Legally Can

(NaturalNews) You come home from work and notice your dog or cat peeping at you from around the corner, you immediately know something's up. Regardless whether you discover a 'present' left on the living room rug or a broken vase from the cabinet they aren't supposed to be up on, pets can't lie -- they tell us the truth every single time. Pet food manufacturers on the other hand can lie and keep a straight face about it -- every single time.

Changing the name to protect the pet food company identity, here is part of the new advertising for a pet food:

"Healthy Living... Yes, living healthy can be delicious".

And from the website of the same food company (changing some of the wording):

"Healthy Living Pet Food provides an abundance of tasty, wholesome ingredients giving your pet the perfect balance of nutrition and taste. Your pet will relish the new flavors. The same quality nutrition you enjoy can do the same thing for your pet."

Now, here is the actual ingredient list from the pet food that advertises healthy, abundance of wholesome ingredients, and implies it's the 'same quality' as your food.

Pet Sayings: Crazy Like a Fox

When used in its intended form, "crazy like a fox" is an oxymoron meaning seemingly foolish but in fact extremely cunning. If you call someone "crazy like a fox" you are saying that person is sly and capable of outwitting others. For example: "That John McCain (or more accurately, the Karl Rove political machine) is crazy like a fox for choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate."

The fox has been celebrated for centuries as a crafty animal — especially by the British during the hunt. While a fox's actions may appear bizarre to the average onlooker, he is often acting in a brilliant manner to save himself.

The animal's wiles were first noted in the "Trinity College Homilies," dating from the 12th Century. The expression gained modern currency when American humorist S.J. Perelman selected it for the title of his 1944 book.

Goats show personality at Saline fair

Posted by Lisa Allmendinger | The Ann Arbor News September 02, 2008 12:12PM
Categories: Regional
Amanda Taphouse, 15, says her goat enjoys candy.

The Nubian goat also has a knack for showing off, winning first place in senior showmanship at the 73rd annual Saline Community Fair Monday.

Taphouse, of Ann Arbor, and several other teens said they enjoy raising and showing goats because of their unique personalities.

"They are all individuals," said Robbie Graham, 17, of Milan, who won champion market animal with one of his boar goats.Special writer Lisa Allmendinger can be reached at lallmendinger@sbcglobal.net or at 734-433-1052.