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Posted by admin on 08 Mar 2010 | Tagged as: Contest, Harley's Story, Rescued Animals
I’m Harley, a 3-1/2 year old Weimaraner. I was surrendered to Heartland Animal Shelter in Northbrook Illinois along with 4 of my siblings by a breeder that couldn’t find us a home. My shelter name was “Wild Thing”, which should give you a clue about me. I was a bouncy, playful guy that was given lots of love and attention in my days at the shelter.
Posted by Joanne on 24 Feb 2010 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
I remember seeing the movie “Mask” back in 1994, staring Jim Carey. But even though I loved Carey’s rubber-faced antics, it was Milo, the little Jack Russell Terrier, who stole my heart. Milo was incredibly cute. When he’d cock his head to one side, staring at Carey with deep, intelligent eyes, he was so animated, smart, and incredibly sweet. I really, really wanted that dog!
Then, of course, there was Eddie, the television star of “Frazier” fame. Played by a wonderfully spirited Jack Russell named Moose, he was such a hit on the TV show that he received more fan mail than any of his human costars.
But just how realistic is the portrayal of dogs in movies and on TV? And how many animals end up in shelters and rescues, because people don’t do their homework and think that the new dog they run out and get – based on these portrayals – is going to mimic the one on the TV show.
Jack Russell Terriers, for instance, are very active dogs. They require lots of exercise, and can become destructive if they get bored. Jacks love to run around, bark, and dig up the yard. After all, they were originally bred as hunting dogs, and would tunnel after quarry in the ground. But Jim Carey’s character never took Milo out for walks (or to do “business”) and even left him alone most of the day. In one scene where he comes home, tired after having been out all day, Milo comes over with a Frisbee, and Jim Carey throws it for him – once!
As for Moose, he wasn’t always the well-trained dog. In fact, Moose was originally owned by a family in Florida, but was too much for them to handle. He couldn’t be house trained, chewed everything in sight, barked constantly, and was always escaping and climbing trees. It took six months of professional training before he auditioned for the role of Freddie, and became a household name. And Jack Russell’s shed – a lot. But have you ever seen anyone on Frazier hovering up after Eddie?
Thankfully, I did my research after being smitten by Milo. And I realized that even though Jacks are wonderful dogs, they weren’t the right match for me. But how many people don’t take the time to check out what kind of dog would be most suited for them? Sadly, a lot. Once a breed has become the “dog du jour” puppy mills churn them out like hot cakes. People snap them up – with devastating results. We live in a disposable society, and today’s designer dog becomes tommorrow’s shelter animal.
The same thing happened after the 1996 release of 101 Dalmatians. Dals became the “it” dog. Everybody wanted to have one – even if they knew nothing about the breed. This resulted in over-breeding at puppy mills, and exacerbated the health problems they already have.
Now it is the Chihuahuas turn. On the heels of Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Legally Blonde, chihuahuas became the new “must have” dog. Back yard breeders rushed to meet the demand. Now shelters are being inundated with dogs that were abandoned when fickle owners realize that they are not just some fashion accessory, like the ones peeking out from Paris Hilton’s handbag. They require care and feeding; they aren’t always good with children; and heaven forbid that they have an “accident” in your stylish new bag. In fact, after pit bulls, these pint-sized pooches are now the second most common breed to be euthanized in Tinseltown.
Chihuahuas now make up 30 percent of the dogs in California shelters. There are so many of them abandoned, with no hope of being adopted in their home area, that they are even being shipped out of state. For instance, one hundred Chihuahuas were recently sent from Oakland to Washington, Oregon and Arizona, while twenty five more were shipped from Los Angeles to New Hampshire, thanks to the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, founded in memory of the brother of actress Kathyrn Heigl (Gray’s Anatomy) after he was killed in a car accident.
On a more hopeful note, when the book “Marley and Me” was made into a movie, the plot was changed. In the book, Marley comes from a breeder; in the movie, he is a shelter dog. It would have been even better it he’d been an older dog – too many people can’t resist puppies, but would think twice about getting an older dog – but the fact that Marley hails from a shelter provides a good example, and hopefully it won’t fall on deaf ears. However, there are also fears that Labs could become so in demand, they will end up tommorrow’s “most popular” shelter dog.
There are some good lessons in all of this. There’s a type of dog for every person – but not every person is suited to every dog. Do your homework, and don’t be swayed by Hollywood. And be prepared to commit. As Owen Wilson reminds us, in the trailer for Marley and Me, “A dog doesn’t care if you are rich or poor. Give him your heart, and he´ll give you his.” In other words, a dog is for a lifetime – not just until the end credits roll.
Posted by Joanne on 21 Feb 2010 | Tagged as: Uncategorized
February is American Heart Month. And for those of us who love our pets, it’s good to know that having a faithful companion by our side is one of the best things we can do for our hearts.
In a study of hypertense New York stockbrokers, all were prescribed the drug Lycinprol, but half were given a pet as well. Six months later, the pet owners had significantly lower blood pressure than the “drug only” group.
Pet ownership is also a factor in recover from heart attacks, and patients who own a pet areIn fact, having a pet is a much more significant factor in recovery than having a partner, spouse, or supportive friends.
Other health benefits include reduced stress, fewer feelings of anxiety and loneliness, a decrease in cholesterol and Triglyceride levels, and a boost in immunity. Plus, hose with pets tend to get more exercise, another heart-friendly benefit.
Of course, owning a pet isn’t for everyone. But those of us who do know the unconditional love and support they can bring will tell you that their furry friends are worth their weight in gold.
So if you were single this Valentine’s day, don’t lament the lack of chocolate and flowers. A wet lick on the nose is more than the doctor ordered. So take heart!
Posted by admin on 03 Feb 2010 | Tagged as: Contest
Photo by AmazonCARES
The slow global economy has lowered the number of animal adoptions more than any of us would like to admit. The animal organizations who are hurting the most aren’t the large national groups. It’s the small local or shelters and organizations that are really struggling right now.
I wanted a way that would allow you to directly raise money – hopefully a LOT – for your favorite animal organization or shelter, help raise awareness for animal adoption, and reward you in the process.
Posted by admin on 02 Feb 2010 | Tagged as: Shelter Contest
Photo by heypatrick
During the process of writing New Lives my eyes were opened to how many truly amazing animal shelters and organizations are making a difference.
I also discovered the negative affects this slow global economy has caused for these groups. The animal shelters/organizations who are hurting the most aren’t the large national groups. It’s the small local or shelters and organizations that are really struggling right now.
Posted by admin on 30 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Dog Rescue, Leo, Michael Vick, Therapy Dogs
You can use this link to email the video to your friends:
http://bit.ly/bwpULG
Or you can use this link to add the video to your blog or website:
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Posted by Joanne on 30 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Michael Vick
Photo by DailyInvention
And if the Ed Block courage award isn’t enough . . .Vick now has his own television show. That’s right, Vick is now a television ‘star.’ Just in case you missed it, Feb. 2 marked the debut of The Michael Vick Project, a ten-part series which airs on BET,
Posted by admin on 29 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Dalmatian, Rescued Animals, Therapy Dogs
Photo by Jennifer Smallwood
Lottie Dot was dumped on a highway in the middle of a snowstorm when she was only eight weeks old. Except for an act of serendipity, she would have frozen to death in the snow.
Patricia Belt’s son was driving cross-country to visit her one February, when he came upon what looked like a lump of snow on the road. He swerved, skidded to a stop, then got out of his car. Looking up at him was a tiny Dalmatian pup. She was frightened, malnourished, and very, very cold.
When Patricia took Lottie to the vet, it was discovered the little pup was deaf in both ears. Using American Sign Language, Patricia trained Lottie – who now knows an amazing 40 commands! Lottie can balance a bone on her nose, flip it and then catch it in her mouth. She jumps through hula hoops and plays peekaboo by covering her eyes with her paws. Lottie is an honorary member of the local fire department, and learned too stop, drop and roll, so that she can demonstrate the life-saving technique to schoolchildren. And after every trick, Lottie takes a bow!
Posted by admin on 29 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Dog Rescue, Michael Vick
Mahatma Gandhi once said “We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.” I wonder what he would say about Michael Vick. Just recently out of prison for running an illegal dog fighting scheme involving the abuse, torture and killing of pit bulls, Vick is now hard at play for the Philadelphia Eagles. Getting the gig with Philadelphia, at a sweet multimillion dollar salary, must have Vick sighing a huge sigh of relief. After all, he was ‘forced’ into bankruptcy when companies like Nike pulled their endorsements after his criminal activities were revealed.
Posted by admin on 03 Jan 2010 | Tagged as: Contest, Kiri's Story
One day about 15 years ago, I walked into the central office of the humanities department of San Juan College, where I am the program director of KSJE FM, public radio. The head of humanities wife> Laura, sat with a beautiful little dog on her lap. Falling instantly in love with its huge eyes, I asked if I could hold it. She said yes and I gathered the little ball of golden fur into my arms.
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