Best Friends Network

A Gift of Spot

speakingforspot — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:35:00 GMT

Who doesn’t have a dog lover or two on their holiday gift list? If you are brainstorming the “perfect present” for your friends, relatives, veterinarian, groomer, and Dog Park buddies, here is an idea to consider. How about a personally signed copy of Speaking for Spot! I would be pleased, in fact, honored to personally inscribe as many gift books as you like. Heck, I’ll even provide the wrapping paper (dog motif, of course). Additionally, now through the end of December, 10% of the sales proceeds will be donated to Morris Animal Foundation’s Canine Cancer Campaign (www.curecaninecancer.org/).

Here’s what a few people who love dogs have said about Speaking for Spot:

“From vaccinations and pet insurance to second opinions and end of life decisions, dog lovers often feel overwhelmed trying to make the best choice for their pup, pocket book, and peace–of–mind. Thanks to Speaking for Spot, we finally have a book that makes sense of it all! With experience, warmth, wit, and candor, Dr. Nancy Kay provides an authentic, user–friendly guide for making all types of health care choices for your dog.”

- Dr. Marty Becker, resident veterinarian on Good Morning America, nationally syndicated newspaper columnist, and cofounder of petconnection.com

“Speaking for Spot is an engaging, compelling and truly indispensable book. Dr Nancy Kay enables her readers to become well-informed advocates for their pets’ health care decisions. She has provided the perfect guide that will make a tremendous difference for dogs and for the people who love them.”

-Claudia Kawczynska, Editor-in-Chief, The BARK magazine

“If a dog owner could have only one book for health information, this is it. This is an excellent book at a reasonable price. I highly recommend it.”

-Dr. Susan M. Cotter, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Sept. 15, 2009

There are two ways to obtain personalized copies of Speaking for Spot. You can mail your own books to me or you can purchase the book via my website. For either option, simply follow the steps found at http://speakingforspot.com/purchase.html.

Not only will this “gift of Spot “ be personalized and easy on the pocketbook, it will provide the people you care for with an invaluable resource that will last a lifetime. Don’t forget to “gift yourself” while you are at it!

Wishing you and your four-legged family members abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy Kay
Specialist, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot. There you will also find “Advocacy Aids”- helpful health forms you can download and use for your own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your pet’s health. Speaking for Spot is available at Amazon.com, local bookstores, or your favorite online book seller.

Join our email list – http://speakingforspot.com/joinemaillist.html

Look for us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/speakingforspot

Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook

Listen to Dr. Kay’s interview – A Veterinarian Advises “How to Speak for Spot” on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross

movie download

karonseeley — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:39:00 GMT

download full movies
movies direct download

Save the greyhounds

jilldaves — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:04:00 GMT

Dairyland Greyhound Racetrack in Kenosha will be closing on December 31. Some 900 Greyhounds will need to be adopted otherwise they will be euthanized. Now is a great time to consider adopting a Greyhound. Please help get the word out--only 6 weeks to get this task done. Call Joanne Kehoe Operations Director P: 312.559.0887 Or Dairyland Race Track Adoption Center direct at (262) 612-8256.

Inaccurate Information Posted by Certain Media Organizations

cwmclachlan — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:19:00 GMT

I have noticed in the recent media reporting a great many inaccuracies as per the recent Anthony Spidle animal abuse case...the first case filed under Utah's new "Henry's Law." While I believe in the newer and stricter law, I also believe in fair and accurate reporting. The facts quoted in the certain news (local) media state that Anthony killed the dog. This is certainly not true. The graphic injuries as reported by certain animal rights web sites are inflammatory and certainly DO NOT represent the Vet's own findinngs--Gabriel, the puppy, was certainly not tortured.

Anthony plead quilty to the animal cruelty charges yesterday and has taken full responsibility for his actions. He has even, on his own, made arrangements with some of the more reputable animal rights organizations to speak/lecture about the problems attendant to animal cruelty as they pertain to his own situation. Two different groups have requested to make a documentary about his case, how and why he has changed--and the reasons for it. in this case Anthony's actions were abberant behavior and should not be construed as an indication (all to common) of one with a bon fide predatory nature. In fact Anthony's history with animals shows quite the opposite. In the current case Anthony, just months before had spent $1200 to have Vet put pins in the Gabriel's leg after it had been hit by a car.

It might be that honest stories like this can be used to even better advantage for the cause, as oppose to dramatic and misleading reporting...which sooner or later are exposed.

Craig McLachlan

Heigh-ho, heigh-ho...

japancatnet — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:49:00 GMT

Lots of work these past few weeks! We sent Ghana and Kitkat (now Kafka) out to their new home. Chiroru, now Leo, will be adopted by his foster family, and the 2 remaining siblings from this group are now being considered by a couple for adoption. We're a bit over the number of kittens that we still had at the same time last year, but we've had more requests for adoption this year, so I think we'll be alright. Have decided to collect all of the adoption pictures and notes from adoptive families on each cat's page connected to the rescue list. Keeping it all in one place should make it easier to provide clear updates.

Went out to ARK's autumn workday at the site of the new sanctuary. We picked up rocks and cleared branches in preparation for when building starts. The leaves were gorgeous, the air was fresh, and we all had a good time while getting a lot done. Some of the volunteers brought their dogs along, and it was fun watching them enjoy running around while we worked. Such a lovely, natural location for a sanctuary...I just can't wait for building to begin. We had a nice barbecue in the evening and some folks camped out in a large tent at the site, but I went back and stayed at ARK's shelter. I enjoy checking in on some of the happy residents there, and also chatting with volunteers.

Also attended a party at the Osaka Ramada Hotel, marking ARK's 20th anniversary. They allowed dogs to attend the party, which was a first for the hotel! Everyone dressed up, and there was a parade entrance for the dogs.

Poppy has gone to stay at the clinic, to see if the vet can find the cause of her neurological problems, and a treatment, as he's not completely convinced it's lymphoma. She had become unable to walk easily to her litter box or to stand without wobbling severely, and we were worried about her falling into a very uncomfortable position. It had become particularly heartbreaking because she couldn't bear to be separated from us, and kept trying to walk up the stairs. I had her on my lap whenever possible, even through the night, but she would attempt to get to her litter box, and fall off the bed. The vet recommended that he keep her at the clinic, to see if he could find a treatment that would improve her condition. David is going out to the clinic this evening, with Birdie, so he'll check on her progress then, but we are very concerned about Poppy's quality of life. Birdie continues to have her drips, sometimes here at the shelter and sometimes at the clinic, but the more important issue is her anemia. We're having a difficult time getting her to eat much--even AD--and she has lost a great deal of weight. I open packets of every food imaginable, throughout the day, and she'll nibble a bit, but nothing substantial. Fantasia, on the other hand, quickly volunteers to clean up the leftovers! Our vet is not at all keen on doing blood transfusions, though I'm not sure it would even be a consideration in this case, and I believe he's already giving her Epogen injections. Not sure what else we can do, but David will talk with him about it tonight.

Specter and Wybie are back from Nagoya for a bit, since Cassie needed to make a trip to her home country suddenly. These two boys are so big and strong! She's done a fantastic job socializing them and giving them the best of care. Their siblings staying at the shelter are a bit behind, but are quickly catching up. We seem to have cleared up most of the health problems that they came in with, though some will have permanent eye impairment. But it's not really noticeable, as far as their physical appearance is concerned, or their ability to move around. Tricky remains at the clinic, since his condition has improved, but still remains delicate.

Shana had gone to be fostered long term with a retired couple that we had helped with TNR several years ago. She's come back for a few days, since she developed drippy diarrhea, and the couple didn't want to leave her alone in that condition, when they went out of town overnight. No parasites or bacteria, so we assume it has to do with a change in diet, or stress related to relocating. This is a cat that wants constant attention, and we were so relieved when we found this placement for her. I'm hoping we can clear the diarrhea up by adjusting her diet, so that she can go back as soon as possible. They've called asking when she can return, and she cries so mournfully from her cage, but we want to be sure that she goes back in good health.

We received some terrible news last week...One of our previously adopted kitties died tragically, after being let outside. This is a good family, and they are completely devastated, but it has caused us to firm up our indoors only policy. It's such a difficult issue...healthy kittens are being destroyed at animal control centers daily, and it seems a shame to deny them homes based on an adopter not being willing to keep their pets indoors. Good people often have strong views on whether cats can actually be happy, without access to the outdoors. Of course we think an outside enclosure solves that problem effectively, but we also believe that cats can live very happily indoors for their entire lives, and there is so much sorrow when an accident outdoors occurs. We do return feral cats to live outdoors after neutering, since their nature makes this necessary. However, there is no safe way to let a cat freely roam outside, and if a cat has become accustomed to indoor living, there is no reason to let them out. We've done our best to get that message across, loud and clear, but we have to do better.

New rescue...a 5 month old kitten abandoned in front of my school building. She was in a panic at first, but is slowly calming down, and David has been able to pet her little by little. She had obviously been living outside, as her ears are scabby and dirty, and her growth seems a bit stunted. All white, with one blue eye and one brown, I think she'll be a real beauty once she cleans up and socializes a bit more. With 4 new local TNR projects underway, I have great hope that we will see an end to local abandonment in the near future!

Look at our website

JudyHSDC — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:19:00 GMT

We have a very informative website that everyone should look at. It is www.HSDCOhio.org.

This is the first time I have ever posted to a blog so I am not sure this is what I am supposed to be writing or if anyone will see it!!

First of many trips to Best Friends Animal Society

LabDad2 — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:12:00 GMT

We just returned from our first trip to BFAS (Best Friends Animal Society). What a great organization!!! We have donated to BFAS for about 10+ years now and this was our first of what we hope to be many trips to their facility in Kanab , UT.

We spent four days at BFAS and worked three of the four days we were there. We would have worked all four but we arrived on site too late the first day to volunteer. We stayed on site the first evening on one of BFAS’ cabins, which was very nice! The remaining three nights we stayed in Cottage # 3. We loved the cottage and it's proximity to the horse corrals. We would get up every morning and look out the back windows at the horses and then open the sliding glass door out to the deck and enjoy the fresh air and peace and quiet of Angel Canyon ! In the evenings, after volunteering all day, we would return to the cottage and watch the sunset over the canyon. What a memorable sight and experience.

The evening we arrived, since it was too late to do anything, we were told we could drive around the area and check out the public portions of the grounds. We made our way up to Angels Rest. Wow! What a view and what a place to have as your first experience to the grounds/facilities! We walked around Angels Rest and just read and looked at the graves. My wife and I were shocked at how many graves there are and how big the area of the cemetery was. It was so peaceful. We both had a hard time holding back the tears while walking through Angels Rest. All I kept thinking about was, what brought them to this place in the first place, what type of life they must have had to go through to end up at BFAS, and now their pain and suffering was over and they were enjoying their new life Over the Rainbow Bridge where they can play and be what god created them to be. (It still brings a tear to my eyes as I write this.) The founders and staff of BFAS have created such a special place for these pets. I applaud them for it! What caring people and visionaries!!!!

The first day we volunteered we spent with the cats in Cat World and helped by cleaning litter boxes, sweeping and mopping floors, wiping down the surfaces the cats can sleep in and walk/play on, and cleaning the windows. We worked with the FeLV positive cats in one of the cat houses, I can't recall the name of the house. They were a lot of fun and enjoyed people being around. After cleaning we were able to sit down and enjoy playing or petting the cats who were interested. It was fun to watch them chase things, climb up into the rafters of the screened porches, and just do what cats enjoy. We were shocked to see one of the cats, who only had three legs, move faster than most of the other cats. She didn't want to be petted or picked up, only to play chasing toys. Others in the run just wanted to jump up and have someone hold and pet them. We were there the entire day with only a break for lunch. Time went so fast, it didn't seem to be time to go at the end of the first day.

The second day we spent at Dog Town Heights . We checked in at the HQ/Clinic and watched our safety video and were given our whistles. We then were assigned to work at The Garden area of Dog Town . We drove over and checked in with one of the Caregivers at the Ginger house. She asked if we wanted to walk dogs. We of course said yes. The caregiver went into the building and brought out two green collar dogs and showed us where/what trail to walk them on. We took off and after two loops and about 2 miles we were back to Ginger and were promptly given two more dogs. I think my wife and I ended up walking about 4 dogs each that morning and we loved everyone of the dogs. Three of the dogs we walked were Haus (who I just found out yesterday has been adopted on a mobile adoption to Grand Junction, CO and is in his forever home where he has 1/2 acre of fenced in yard with his new K9 house mate), Rita a fox hound mix, and Pilot. (Rita we ended up bringing home that night for a sleep over.) All the dogs we walked were great dogs and I just couldn't understand why anyone would not have wanted them as their pets.

Rita, as I said above, was the one we decided to bring home for a sleep over, what a sweet dog!!!! We brought her home to the cottage and we walked her for a bit before heading into Kanab for dinner. We took Rita with us, since you are not to leave the sleepover animals alone, and ate outside at one of the Mexican restaurants. We were given a blanket by the caregiver, since we told them we were going out to a restaurant with Rita, for her to lie on while we ate. Rita sat at the table for a few minutes while we ordered our food. After we ordered they brought out our drinks and a basket of chips. Rita didn't even think about begging for food. She laid down on the blanket and just relaxed while we ate dinner. (In case you weren't aware of it, the caregivers feed the animals before they are taken out for a sleep over and then feed them in the mornings after they are brought back.) We finished dinner and then headed back to the cottage for the evening.

We arrived back at the cottage and I figured I better take Rita for a walk before going inside. Rita and I walked around the cottages and the horse corrals for about 30 minutes trying to get Rita to go to the bathroom. Rita did lots of sniffing but that was about it. She wasn't needing to go potty from what I could tell. I brought her back to our cottage and showed her where her water bowl was in the kitchen. She took a couple of drinks and then walked around the cottage checking it out. After making sure she knew where she was Rita headed into the bedroom and jumped up on one of the two queen size beds. (Just happened to be the one I was going to sleep in. LOL!) I allowed her to stay there and went back into the living room to join my wife and watch some TV. Rita never came back out from the bedroom the entire night. She would wake up if we walked into the bedroom but otherwise slept the entire evening.

When it was time for us to go to bed I figured I should take Rita out one more time to see if she needed to go out and go potty. We again walked for about 20-30 min and nothing but sniffing. (By the way, the cottages all have flashlights in them so you can go out at night and walk without having to worry about bringing or purchasing one if you have a sleepover pet) I brought Rita back into the cottage and she took off right away for the bed. I got ready for bed and then came in and climbed into bed. Rita stayed their the entire night and slept with me. She only got up once which was about 4 AM and I thought to myself, oh great, now she has to go to the bathroom. ;-) I got dressed and took her out again, but nothing but sniffing and looking up into the hills at deer behind our cottage. (In the hills behind the cottages, it’s not uncommon to see mule deer from dusk to dawn.) After about 10-15 min we went back in and both climbed back into bed. She and I were out for the rest of the night, OK actually the rest of what was left of the morning. LOL!

The next morning we all woke up, got something to eat, completed the survey on the sleepover, and then headed back to The Garden to return Rita to one of her caregivers. We gave the caregiver the run down on how the sleepover went and I explained Rita didn't go potty the entire time. I told the caregiver, I know some dogs will not go if they are not in their own familiar place/run. She told me that could be the case but she wasn't sure with Rita since she had only been at Dog Town for about 7 days. She was dropped off on the BFAS property with another dog and was found wondering the canyon. (Poor Rita!) She said she would watch her and make sure there wasn't an issue. We watched as she was released back into her run and Rita immediately headed back to the back of the run and went to the bathroom. We felt much better! After leaving Rita, which was hard to do since I had enjoyed her time with us, we took the overnight bag back to Dog Town HQ and turned in the sleepover survey.

After leaving Dog Town , we then headed out for our final day of volunteering at BFAS. We were to work with the horses at Horse Haven. We watched our safety video and then were assigned to one of the caregivers to help on a feed run for the morning. We, along with two other volunteers, loaded ourselves into the back of a stake truck and headed out to the pastures to drop off flakes of hay as well as each horse's special diet. When we drive up to each pasture the horses were waiting for us. We fed them all and did some petting. We then joined a bunch of other workers and volunteers unloading about 300 bails of hay from a flatbed trailer onto pallets. We finished there and headed back to the operations building for Horse Haven.

When we arrived back at Horse Haven we were assigned the job mucking the corrals, then a barn (which was used for a movie a while back) in one of the pastures, and remaining pastures. (I enjoy being around horses but, to be honest, wasn't looking forward to mucking) ;-) I was very surprised, it wasn't anything like the mucking I had done at my father-in-law's hobby farm! The areas were very clean and since they keep up with it on a regular basis, it was really pretty easy. We did muck one of the smaller pastures where a couple of the horses were and it was pretty close to and area where you could get by one of the cliffs in the canyon. I was working in that area and saw through the pine tree some droppings which needed to be mucked. I ducked under the trees, which were trimmed up about 4 feet, and started picking up what I could. As I turned around at some point, I saw a backbone of an animal which was stripped down to the bones. All that was left was the entire spine and the skull. I had the caregiver come over and check it out. She said it looked to be what was left of a small mule deer, most likely a doe. (I thought it was pretty neat to look at but I'm not sure what the ladies with me thought. ;-) LOL! It reminds you though that you are out in the wild and there are other animals which are around. You start watching a bit closer to where you're going to be walking. LOL!) We finished mucking and it was time for lunch.

We headed up to the lunch building for another fantastic meal. The meals are only $5.00 and you get a lot of food. We ate there both days we worked and each day it was something different and very good. We relaxed out on the deck over looking Angel Canyon and the surrounding area. What a peaceful place! We enjoyed our lunch and were able to meet some of the staff, other volunteers, and the architect who was building two new buildings in Dog Town, which we were told will be for puppies. Everyone we met were so friendly, both staff and volunteers!

We finished our lunch and headed back down to work with the horses again. We were allowed to groom two of the horses. My wife was use to this but I had never done any grooming. My wife showed me what to do and then she took one of the horses and I took the other to groom. What a relaxing way to end the day. It's like therapy to just stand and brush and groom the large animals. I really enjoyed that part of the day the most!

After finishing grooming the horses, we helped clean out the goat/sheep pen and then brought everything back to Horse Haven HQ. We were thanked for our help and we also thanked everyone for allowing us to volunteer. We then headed back to Dog Town HQ to see if we could get Rita for another sleepover. ;-) She was such a sweetie the night before we just had to see if we could have her for another sleepover.

We arrived at Dog Town HQ and put in our request. They said she was available and gave us our overnight bag again. We went to The Garden and picked up Rita for the evening. The caregiver was so glad we were taking her for an overnight again. We ended up going out to Pizza Hut for dinner and getting carryout to bring back to the cottage since they didn't have outdoor seating. We brought our dinner back to the cottage and Rita headed right for my bed again, but not before she made sure she had checked out the pizza we had. I guess it was a bit better smelling than the Mexican food. LOL! She still was a perfect lady and didn't beg at all for any of the pizza. She headed to bed and didn't come back out until I called her to see if she wanted a very small piece of the back edge of the crust. She took it, and ate it. I then took her out for a walk. After about 20 min or so we came back in. She headed for the bed and so did I. We were all beat. Interestingly enough though, when I went to get into bed, I found a dog biscuit which Rita had been given earlier in the evening when we brought her home. She hadn’t eaten it. It was untouched on the bedspread. This dog is nothing like our two labs back home. She is definitely not food motivated. ;-)

We got up the next morning and I took Rita for a long walk, about an hour or more this time. I knew it was going to be my last time with her so I wanted to spend a bit more time walking her. We enjoyed the early morning sunrise and walk together. We walked all the way around the horse corral and then again past our cottage and the horse corral and down to the potbelly pig area. From there we then hiked through the underbrush a bit until we headed out onto the county road where we headed back up through Horse Haven back to our cottage. (If it would have been summer, I most likely would have not attempted walking through the underbrush ;-) )

When I arrived back at the cottage, we loaded everything back up to take Rita back to Ginger. We dropped her off with the caregiver. This was the hardest thing for me to do since I wasn’t going to see her anymore. She was/is a very special dog! I told the caregiver she was a perfect dog/pet and we enjoyed our time with her. We watched the caregiver return Rita to her run and she, of course, immediately went back to the back of the run and went potty. She then started playing with one of her run mates, Haus. The caregiver told us they were best friends and loved playing together. We thanked the caregiver at The Garden for everything they did and how much we enjoyed our time volunteering at BFAS. She thanked us and said she hoped we would return again soon.

We left The Garden, took our overnight bag back to Dog Town HQ, and then headed back down to the BFAS welcome center to look for some souvenirs and gifts to bring back home with us. I took lots of pictures but you always have to bring home some souvenirs other than pictures. ;-) We picked up a mouse pad, a coat for me, and a shirt and sweatshirt for my wife, all with the BFAS logo on them of course. We then headed back to our cottage one more time to load up our luggage and head out for our fight at Las Vegas . We both said to each other we will have to come back soon again to volunteer. We also said we would love to move to the Kanab area and work with the animals at BFAS.

We truly enjoyed our time at Best Friends and loved all they have done and continue to do for the animals! They are a god send to the animals they are able to take in and rescue, just as other organizations are around the US and the world!

Thank you Best Friends for all you do!!!

PS. After only two weeks of being away from BFAS, we're already looking at a possible trip back to BFAS for sometime in early August 2010 if all works out for us. When I returned to work after our trip to BFAS, I found out the company I work for will be shutting down during the first two weeks in August so it makes it easy for us to return since I’ll have to take vacation at that time anyway. Who knows maybe we'll even check out the area and jobs while we're there to see if we can find something for us to do and bring us to moving to the area. You never know what can happen. ;-)

Double Your Donation to Shadow Cats

feralfriend — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:36:00 GMT

Help us double our impact to help homeless pets and take the
Double Your Impact Challenge!

Because we are a participating Network Charities Group, Best Friends Animal Society will match your donation to us for the next week or until they have met their maximum (recently increased to 50K!) This is an incredibly generous match by Best Friends and we are very appreciative of this kindness. We’re now ready to accept online donations right from our very own mini-website on the Best Friends Network! This is a wonderful opportunity to double your donation to Shadow Cats. Ten dollars can become twenty and that is a bag of food for our furry kids! Thank you!

http://network.bestfriends.org/groups/shadow_cats/default.aspx

I protected Momma!

Bear1 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:56:00 GMT

The other night I saw something outside so I growled and barked my "you don't belong and you better leave" bark. Momma got up to see and said her didn't see anything but her knowed that if I bark or growl like that if fur a reason. Her then let all us kids out (cept the kitty) and that is when we heared the bang on our fence. All of us went crzy barking and growling. Whatever it were it went away....got smart is what it did!

Momma kept all the lights on outside in the front and in the back cuz her didn't want whateve or whoever to come back. They didn't but I stayed on guard duty.

Woofs,

Jiminy

San Diego-Best Friends is coming to town to host the Point Loma Holiday Home Tour Event And They Need Volunteers Dec 5th

spaycrazy — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:17:00 GMT

PLEASE CONTACT CHRISTINE csoskins@gmail.com IF YOU CAN HELP~:)

San Diego, We Need Your Help ...

Best Friends is proud to present the Point Loma Holiday Home Tour. Join us as some of Point Loma’s most beautiful homes open their doors in support of the animals.

We’re honored to be a part of this year’s festivities. Proceeds from the event will benefit Best Friends’ First Home Forever Home campaign, which focuses on helping people provide a loving, lifetime home for their pets through education, intervention and action.

But we need YOUR help to make sure the event is a smashing success! What can you do? There are lots of ways you can make a difference.

Spread some holiday cheer by:

Volunteering to plan or work at the event

Becoming a vendor at the marketplace

Sponsoring the event

Donating something for our silent auction

If you’d like to be part of this exciting event, we look forward to hearing from you!

To volunteer, contact Christine at csoskins@gmail.com We hope you can help us make this the best holiday home tour ever.

Thank you for all you do every day to help homeless pets.

Best wishes, The staff and animals of Best Friends Animal Society

DOES NO ONE CARE???

Catherine Ritlaw — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:04:00 GMT

I have been a B.F. Member> 10 years. I run an animal sanctuary-mustangs, burros, a pig and 5 dogs- all rescues. I am a passionate wild horse advocate. Our government is destroying them. I care about all horses. There are TWO horse groups here. Both with only one member. DOES NO ONE CARE ABOUT HORSES, OR AM I MISSING SOMETHING? CATHERINE RITLAW, jeranimalsanctuary.org. PLEASE VISIT MY GROUP- WILD HORSE ADVOCATES AND MY PROFILE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SAVING HORSES.

PENDING WILD HORSE ROUNDUPS

Catherine Ritlaw — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:39:00 GMT

THE AMERICAN WILD HORSE AND BURRO WAS AFFORDED LEGAL PROTECTION BY THE FREE ROAMING WILD HORSE AND BURRO PROTECTION ACT in 1971. THE BLM has continued to disregard the law and the science by capturing huge numbers of wild horses, at the same time allowing 100 head of welfare rancher privately owned cattle to graze PUBLIC RANGELAND. 30,000 horses and burros are now imprisoned by the BLM. Another 2500 are scheduled to be rounded up beginning Dec 1, 2009. The spread "starving horse" propaganda which is not true. They ignore DNA research which shows the modern horses evolved here in North America and belongs here and should be protected as a NATIVE SPECIES. They ignore renowned Wildlife Biologists/wild horse experts like Craig Downer who say he is an integral part of our natural ecosystem. Horses and burros are brutally run down by HELICOPTER, run for miles, injured and killed. I have three BLM animals with permanent injury due to BLM abuse. You can meet them at my page or at www.jeranimalsanctuary.org. Many have ended up at the slaughterhouse or "adopted" by ignorant people who do not care for them properly. Please visit wildhorsepreservation.com for information about this National disgrace. Call and write your Reps in Washington and call for a moratorium on gathers pending Congressional investigation. Sign petitions on my sanctuary's "contact" page (jeranimalsanctuary.org) and also see my petition to President Obama at: http://animalrights.change.org/actions/view/blm_and_wild_horse_roundups. Visit me at care2 at: http://care2.com/2c2/people/profile.html?pid=540392347. AMERICA'S BEAUTIFUL AND NOBLE WILD HORSES ARE BEING REDUCED TO GENETICALLY NON-VIABLE NUMBERS. THEY ARE BEING DESTROYED BT OUR GOVERNMENT. THIS MUST STOP AND EVERYONE MUST GET INVOLVED. PLEASE.

The Grapes of Wrath

speakingforspot — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 04:53:00 GMT

What a gorgeous time of year it is where I live, in the heart of northern California’s wine country. The leaves of the grapevines are luminescent shades of orange, yellow, and magenta. The vintners are smiling because the weather has provided them with a bumper crop. Their grapes have been harvested and the “crush” is on.

As much as I enjoy this season, the grapes always create some anxiety for me. What most people don’t realize is that grapes (and raisins) can be terribly toxic for dogs. Fortunately, not all dogs become sick after eating grapes or raisins, but nothing clearly predicts which ones are susceptible. For those who are, ingestion of even a small amount (as little as 0.35 ounces of grapes per pound of the dog’s body weight and 0.05 ounces of raisins per pound of the dog’s body weight) has the potential to cause kidney failure that may be irreversible. The toxic component within grapes and raisins hasn’t been identified, but it is thought to be contained within the flesh of the grape (not within the seeds).

In susceptible dogs, symptoms of kidney failure develop within 24 hours following ingestion of the grapes or raisins. They include: lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Partially digested grapes or raisins might be seen in the bowel movement or vomited material. What should you do if you discover that your dog has eaten grapes or raisins? Seek out veterinary care as soon as possible- the earlier treatment is started, the better the prognosis. If it has been less than a few hours, your veterinarian will induce vomiting to try to remove the toxin before it is absorbed into your dog’s bloodstream. If several hours have lapsed, hospitalization for treatment to prevent kidney failure will be recommended. Once kidney failure develops, the prognosis is guarded. One study documented only a 53 percent survival rate even with aggressive treatment.

So, here is the lesson of the season- dogs and grapes (or raisins) are a potentially lethal combination. Cats are thought to be susceptible to this toxicity as well. Fortunately, cats who fancy fruit are few and far between! Please share this information with all of your dog-loving friends and relatives and ask them to do the same. You just might save a life in the process!

Wishing you and your four-legged family members good health,

Dr. Nancy Kay
Specialist, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.... to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot. There you will also find “Advocacy Aids”- helpful health forms you can download and use for your own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your pet’s health. Speaking for Spot is available at Amazon.com, local bookstores, or your favorite online book seller.

Join our email list – http://speakingforspot.com/...

Look for us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/speaking...

Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook

Listen to Dr. Kay’s interview – A Veterinarian Advises “How to Speak for Spot” on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross

FINALLY!

bakerboysmom — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:20:00 GMT

Wellington is finally 9 months out from his surgery for Mast Cell. We went to the vet's this week for another reason and decided to use the visit as his final follow-up also. No new tumors were discovered and Wellie can go back to twice a year visits. We are both relieved by this as going to see the vet is very stressful for him. I will always have to keep a check for any new lumps/bumps that may appear, but for now-- WOOHOO!! He continues to be the boss of his "little" brothers and enjoys letting them know he was here first and is not ready to relinquish his title of top dog.

Unsure why I put the pj's on him, but Wellington is smiling anyway! Tried to insert more pictures, but couldn't-will try again in the next post.

Please help

Susan7 — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:17:00 GMT

Already e-mailed Barb and no reply. I am homeower in Delray. Behind me in rental development. People have moved and left cats (All too familiar story) I have adopted 4, 6 remain living in my yard, 2-3 yrs. old, all neutered and spayed with first shots. Semi-feral. Beautiful. Cannot afford to feed them anymore, very ill with M.S. etc, will be moving eventually up north for family to care for me. Cannot afford the Naples $300 per cat colony. Don't like to trap, but will if they can be placed somewhere. 6 cats. Will donate. Thank you

My Goldfish Ate My Catfish

renasherwood — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:04:00 GMT

Granted, the goldfish are guilty due to circumstantial evidence. I went to sleep with five fish in the tank (four goldfish and one corydoras catfish) and woke up to just the four goldfish. I couldn't find any sign of the catfish -- not even a skull. I checked on the floor all around the tank in case he jumped. I turned off the filter, took it out and ripped it apart, just in case he was in there. Nada. So all I can assume is that either the catfish was abducted by aliens or the goldfish ate him. I'm opting for the latter because I think the aliens would have given the fish back by now.

Now I feel horrible. I did research before adding the corydoras to the 20 gallon tank. I had a heater. I was prepared to do partial water changes twice a week so I could keep on top of the amonia (goldfish pee more than other freshwater fish, creating more amonia, which is why they usually aren't mixed). But, darn it, I had a bloody goldfish book that said the only fish that would eat some algae and get along with goldfish was a corydoras catfish. I know plecostomus catfish have been known to get along peacefully with both koi and goldfish, but they can grow to two feet long. I don't have tank that big.

I took in two fish tanks that my father was going to get rid of because he was moving. The fish became rehomed, in a way. Dad's goldfish had passed away, so I took in the tank and "rescued" a few feeder goldfish from the local PetCo. After two years, brown algae is becoming a problem in the tank. So idiot me went and bought a catfish to put in the goldfish tank.

Moral of the story: Don't put a corydoras catfish in with goldfish -- no matter what the books say.

SAM MAY BE GETTING ADOPTED

bluetick25 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:57:00 GMT

Following up on the Nov. 5 post (GUS AND SAM NEED HELP), someone who is related to one of the techs at our vet clinic is coming to visit Sam today and take him home for a trial period that hopefully lasts forever. Lets keep our fingers crossed that Sam has found a new home. They are a retired couple with an acre or so of fenced yard who recently lost their long time companion pet. From what they have seen and heard, it appears Sam will be the perfect replacement.

If that happens, we will need to turn our attention to getting Gus adopted. He is sweet and cuddly and really needs a new home as well. if anyone is interested, I will send photos. Glenn

florist malaysia

duncan0321 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:14:00 GMT

florist malaysia flowers online send flower singapore singapore florist Southlake homes for sale Swiss Garden Hotel malaysia singapore florist delivery send flower singapore Carrollton Texas real estate Keller tx homes for sale

Dallas homes for sale

grossnickle03 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:26:00 GMT

Dallas homes for sale Caribbean Cruise Line Scam malaysia my second home helpdesk software gift malaysia florist Latitude D620 battery florists in singapore chemical storage cabinet Grapevine real estate

Will Your Pet’s Microchip Bring Him Home?

speakingforspot — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:23:00 GMT

Other than hanging identification tags on collars, I’ve always thought (and advised my clients) that microchipping our dogs and cats is the best way to ensure that we will be reunited should circumstances separate us. As it turns out, microchipping is not nearly so foolproof as I’ve believed- not because the chips are defective, but rather, because of human error. Have a look at what I just read in the November 1^st edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA):

“A limitation of the microchip registry system is than many pet owners do not register microchips in their names according to ‘Characterization of animals with microchips entering animal shelters’ (see JAVMA, July 15, 2009). In that study, shelters contacted microchip registries regarding 1,943 animals but found registrations for only 58.1 percent. The registries were unable to find any information on the owner or on the person who implanted the microchip for 9.8 percent of the animals. Among other recommendations, the study’s authors suggested that veterinarians and shelter personnel should not only register pet microchips at the time of implantation, but also remind the pets’ owners to update information in the registry.

Jason Merrihew, American Animal Hospital Association spokesman said, educating pet owners is a key step to improve microchipping as a form of pet identification. ‘Every time that they change their address or change phone numbers, then they need to update that microchip information,’ Merrihew said.”

So what does all this mean? Here’s the bottom line in terms of achieving the intended purpose of your pet’s identification microchip: At the time your dog or cat is microchipped, be sure to complete the registration materials and have them processed with the appropriate microchip registry. Be sure your veterinarian (or whoever it is that implants the microchip) does the same. Additionally, update that registry whenever your contact data (telephone number, address) changes. I haven’t moved or changed my phone number (or my name!) in well over a decade, so my pets and I are in good shape. How about you and yours? Will your lost dog or cat be able to find you again? If you know your contact information is not current, or you are unsure, pick up the phone or go online today. It could make all the difference.

Wishing you and your four-legged family members good health,

Dr. Nancy Kay
Specialist, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Join our email list – http://speakingforspot.com/joinemaillist.html

Look for us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/speakingforspot

Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook

Listen to Dr. Kay’s interview – A Veterinarian Advises “How to Speak for Spot” on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross

Medical Alert for Those Caring for a Diabetic Dog or Cat

speakingforspot — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:19:00 GMT

If your four-legged family member is diabetic and the insulin product you are administering is Vetsulin®, please pay close attention. The FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine is alerting veterinarians that problems with this product are being reported. Apparently, as Vetsulin® sits in storage, the crystalline zinc crystal component (which is supposed to comprise 70% of the solution; the remaining 30% is the insulin) can increase above 70%. This leads to a slower onset of action of the insulin and, potentially a longer duration of action both of which can result in unpredictable fluctuations in blood glucose values (values that are too high or too low).

The manufacturer of Vetsulin®, Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health is unable to assure the FDA that each batch of their product is stable. This company, along with the FDA have requested that veterinarians closely monitor their patients receiving Vetsulin®.

There is absolutely no need to panic. However, if your dog or cat is receiving this product, I strongly encourage you to discuss the following with your veterinarian:

Symptoms to be watching for that might indicate your pet’s blood glucose value is too high or too low
Monitoring of blood glucose values
Whether or not your pet should be transitioned to a different brand of insulin

At the time of this writing, this problem has not been addressed on the Internet/Schering-Plough Web site (www.vetsulin.com) but I expect information will soon be forthcoming.

For more information about Vetsulin® concerns visit www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm188752.htm.

Wishing you and your four-legged family members good health,

Dr. Nancy Kay
Specialist, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Join our email list – http://speakingforspot.com/joinemaillist.html

Look for us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/speakingforspot

Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook

Listen to Dr. Kay’s interview – A Veterinarian Advises “How to Speak for Spot” on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross

Shrinking Hemorrhoids

franka — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:35:00 GMT

Shrinking Hemorrhoids

Are you sick of the itching, burning, pain, swelling, or bleeding down there?
Aren't you frustrated because it's completely embarrassing to ask for advice
on this potentially crippling condition? I sure was - suffering silently.

Find Cure For Hemorrhoid That Works in Less Than 2 Days!

Shrinking Hemorrhoids

hemorrhoidal treatment
shrink hemorrhoids
shrinking hemorrhoids
how to shrink hemorrhoids
shrinks hemorrhoids
shrink hemorrhoid
hemorrhoid shrinking
shrink hemorrhoids fast
shrinking external hemorrhoids
to shrink hemorrhoid
hemorrhoids to shrink
shrink external hemorrhoids
treatment hemorrhoids
hemorrhoids relief
treatment of hemorrhoids
treat hemorrhoids
hemorrhoids symptoms
treating hemorrhoids
hemorrhoids treatments
hemorrhoids cure
how to cure hemorrhoids
constipation hemorrhoids
hemorrhoids cures
treatment for hemorrhoids
hemorrhoids home remedy
hemorrhoids doctor
hemorrhoids causes
hemorrhoids home treatment
hemorrhoids itching
hemorrhoids laser surgery
banding hemorrhoids
heal hemorrhoids
hemorrhoids surgery
laser surgery for hemorrhoids
painful hemorrhoids
thrombosis hemorrhoids
surgery for hemorrhoids
protruding hemorrhoids
cure external hemorrhoids
hemorrhoids creams
hemorrhoid
symptoms of hemorrhoids
external hemorrhoids
hemorrhoid photos
causes of hemorrhoids
witch hazel hemorrhoids
hemorrhoid doctor
hemorrhoid treatment
hemorrhoid pictures
external hemorrhoids treatment
hemorrhoid laser surgery
hemorrhoid pics
hemorrhoid itching
non surgical hemorrhoid treatment
hemorrhoid cure
protruding hemorrhoid
hemorrhoid home treatment
hemorrhoid picture
hemorrhoid causes
hemorrhoid pain relief
thrombosis hemorrhoid
hemorrhoid pain
strangulated hemorrhoid
bleeding hemorrhoid
bleeding hemorrhoid treatment
external hemorrhoid treatment
external hemorrhoid
shrink hemroids
hemorrhoid creams
external hemorrhoid removal
cure for hemorrhoids
hemorrhoids diet
hemorrhoids home cure
internal hemorrhoid bleeding
bleeding internal hemorrhoids
bleeding hemorrhoids treatment
external hemorrhoid surgery
thrombosed hemorrhoid treatment
symptoms of internal hemorrhoids
cures for hemorrhoids
hemorrhoids natural cures
hemorrhoids home remedies
hemorrhoids remedies
hemorrhoids suppositories
hemorrhoids remedy
photos of hemorrhoids
hemorrhoid treatments
hemorrhoid relief
how to treat hemorrhoids
how to get rid of hemorrhoids
dog hemorrhoids
thrombosed hemorrhoid
what are hemorrhoids
prolapsed hemorrhoids
thrombosed hemorrhoids
healing hemorrhoids
thrombosed external hemorrhoid
natural remedies for hemorrhoids
internal hemorrhoids
home remedies for hemorrhoids
remedies for hemorrhoids
prolapsed hemorrhoid
internal hemorrhoid
hemorrhoids operation
hemorrhoid suppositories
hemorrhoid operation
hemorrhoid cures
hemorrhoids photos
prolapse hemorrhoids
hemorrhoid banding
hemorrhoids and constipation
what causes hemorrhoids
hemorrhoids pics
hemorrhoid home remedy
hemorrhoid suppository
hemorrhoid surgery
how to treat hemoroids
how to heal hemroids
how to treat hemmoroids
treatment of hemroids
how to treat hemroids
symptoms of piles
haemorrhoids treatment
best treatment for hemorrhoids
internal hemroids treatment
internal hemroid treatment
best hemroid treatment
hemroid cures
home treatment for hemorrhoids
internal hemroids symptoms
external hemroid treatment
internal hemroid symptoms
hemroids relief
hemroid cure
hemroid treatments
hemoroid relief
external piles
hemorroids treatment
treat hemroids
hemroids home treatment
hemroids treatment
hemorroids bleeding
hemoroid treatment
hemorroid relief
internal piles
hemroid home treatment
bleeding piles
treatment of piles
hemroids piles
hemroid relief
piles symptoms
hemroid treating
hemroid treatment
bleeding hemoroids
hemmoroid cure
hemeroid treatment
hemmeroid treatment
hemmroid relief
treating hemroids
hemmoroid treatment
hemorroid treatment
hemroid causes
hemmoroid relief
piles surgery
external hemroids
internal hemroids
thrombosed hemroids
external hemroid
bleeding hemroid
hemroid help
hemroid symptoms
internal hemroid
piles treatment
hemmeroid relief
hemroid pain
hemmoroids
avatrol
hemorroids
hemmorrhoids
bleeding hemroids
haemorrhoid
bleeding hemorrhoids
hemroids cure
hemroids
haemorroids
causes of hemroids
how to cure hemroids
hemmroids
hemroids causes
hemeroids
hem relief
hemroid
hemorrhoids natural cure
rubber band ligation
hemorroid
hemmroid
relief for hemorrhoids
hemroids treatments
recovery hemorrhoids surgery
hemroid creams
cure for piles

Caribbean Cruise Line Scam

jllangley57 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:30:00 GMT

Caribbean Cruise Line Scam ???????? provincetown lodging laser hair removal online alcohol store solvent printer dell inspiron 6000 battery singapore flower singapore florist singapore online florist

lab equipment & consumable

cmrnhedgpeth72 — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:40:00 GMT

lab equipment & consumable Coppell homes for sale will writing Caribbean Cruise Line Scam Dell latitude D820 battery hp designjet melbourne wedding photographer florists flower shop send flowers singapore

Lewisville Texas real estate

doanldlester — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:51:00 GMT

hp 402018-001 Lewisville Texas real estate Caribbean Cruise Line Scam flower shop singapore online florist singapore florist shop baby gift basket laboratory fume hood Highland Village homes for sale kuala lumpur escort