If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a dozen times. Cuteoverload.com is one of the best websites on the internets. The animal-speak commentary just adds to the cuteness of all of the photos of adorable animals on the site.

Today’s cuteoverload.com pic of the day:

This cat’s face just cracks me up! Check out the site for more great animal photos!

Photo courtesy of www.downtownpet.com

Robyn Driscoll, a Democrat who represents the 51^st District, has introduced a bill that would authorize the state sanctioned killing of all pit bulls in the state.  If the bill is made into law, any person who owns a pit bull will have to surrender their dog(s) for euthanasia within 10 days. If a person who has a pit bull refuses to cooperate under this scenario, any officer can obtain a search warrant to seize the dog(s).

As a person whose pets are like her children, I cannot imagine anything more horrible.At the risk of sounding too cliched, dogs become a threat when they are not raised, trained, and cared for properly. Any animal can bite, and any animal can turn vicious. Be it a pit bull, a shi tzu, a snake, or a parakeet, any animal that is kept as a pet has the potential to strike out at a human or another pet.

The National Canine Research Council reports that between 1965 and 2008, there were 3 fatalities in Montana from dog bites.  Yes, 3 in 43 years.  In 2005 alone, just one year in Montana, 1,400 people died from smoking and 251 in traffic accidents.  (Maybe Driscoll should work to protect Montanans from smoking and second hand cigarette smoke or negligent or drunk drivers; that would at least be something useful.)

The NCRC notes, “All the dogs involved … were …not spayed or neutered….All three cases involved unsupervised children left alone in a yard with unfamiliar dogs (2 cases) or the child wandering off and encountering an unfamiliar, chained dog (1 case).

source: Animal Law Coalition

Neville - Photo courtesy of the Animal Farm Foundation

Neville is a beautiful pit bull who was rescued from Canada after breed-specific legislation (BSL) forced him into a shelter. He is now a happy, healthy, and much loved bomb-sniffing dog in United States. Read his story here.

Dogs are not designer bags. It is unfair and shortsighted to single out one breed simply because it looks a certain way. You can help to put a stop to this unfair, cruel legislation. Contact Robin Driscoll and other legislators and remind them that BSL is misguided and wrong!

• Robyn Driscoll, (406) 534-4874, rdriscoll@peoplepc.com

• Contact the House Local Government Committee by calling Joe Kolman, 406-444-9280

• Find Montana legislators and email, fax or call them and urge them to say no to H.B. 191.  Here is the fax number for the House: 406-444-4825

If you aren’t sure what to write, just remember, be respectful, don’t insult the person you are writing to, and always be sure to proofread. If you still aren’t sure, feel free to copy and paste what I sent. Try to add your own thoughts, though.

Dear Ms. Driscoll:

I am writing to express my concern over the unfair breed specific legislation that you have introduced in Montana. Breed specific legislation is, at best, shortsighted. Proposing to kill all of the pit bulls in the state is cruel and inhumane.

Please, take the time to learn more about the breed that you are working to eradicate in name of misguided fear. No animal should be punished for ignorance or because it has an irresponsible and/or incompetent owner.

Thank you for your time.

Damon Weaver is a fifth grade student from Florida with big dreams.  The 10 year old wants nothing more than to interview president-elect Barack Obama during inauguration week.

Damon, one of thousands of reporters who are trying to get an interview with Mr. Obama, was denied press credentials. That decision isn’t enough to make him give up, though.

With the help and guidance of his teacher, Brian Zimmerman, Damon has landed some major interviews while trying to win over the powers-that-be in Obama’s transition team.

His interview with vice president-elect Joe Biden (his homeboy) has been viewed over 385,000 times on youtube, and he also sat down for one-on-one chats with Dwayne Wade and Sean Marion from the Miami Heat. Both basketball superstars agreed to shoot a few hoops with the president-elect, but neither of them is willing to let him win to score Damon an interview.

Damon will be in Washington, D.C. for the entire inauguration week, and he has offered a final plea to his hero. Check it out below.

Damon has given interviews to CNN and MSNBC, so it is highly unlikely that president-elect Obama hasn’t seen him on television. I can’t imagine how anyone could deny this kid an interview. He is absolutely adorable! It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few weeks.

My prediction? President-elect Obama will see Damon’s pleas and grant him the interview. This kid is going to be a star one day.

Good Luck, Damon!

Do you ever get online intending to do one thing and end up totally sidetracked by another? I was doing a google search for news stories on the Obama family dog-to-be, and I stumbled on the best website I have ever seen.  Seriously. I just can’t believe that I didn’t see it (or its star, Lilli!) before the election!

Lilly is adorable. I love how boxers all have similar personalities and traits. I bet Lilly’s owner was blowing gently on her face. That always makes boxers lick their chops!
Go to www.obamadog.com and check it out.

There is an entire page of photos and one of videos. It is amazing how many costumes Lilly has. She must like to dress up!

I can’t get over how much she looks like Bill! He definitely would have approved.

My sister sent this to me. It is so funny that I just had to re-post it here.

Enjoy!

A Dog’s Diary

• 8:00 am – Dog food! My favorite thing!
• 9:30 am – A car ride! My favorite thing!
• 9:40 am – A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
• 10:30 am – Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
• 12:00 PM – Lunch! My favorite thing!
• 1:00 PM – Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
• 3:00 PM – Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
• 5:00 PM – Milk bones! My favorite thing!
• 7:00 PM – Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
• 8:00PM – Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
• 11:00 PM – Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

A Cat’s Diary

• Day 983 of my captivity.
• My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.
• They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.
• In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
• Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a ‘good little hunter’ I am.
• There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of ‘allergies.’ I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
• Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow — but at the top of the stairs.
• I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.
• The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released – and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

A few weeks ago, I wrote this post about a very sick dog that my brother-in-law found in the woods while he was hunting.

The dog was so weak that couldn’t stand when he approached her. When he got a closer look, he could see that the dog was emaciated and scared. Every time he reached down to her, she growled at him. He didn’t want to just leave her, so he went to his truck and got a blanket. He covered her, put some chips on the ground for her, and decided to try again the next day.

When he came back in the morning, she was in the same spot, still covered. He put some water and food down for her, which she devoured. That night, he and my sister in law returned in the dark, wrapped her in a big blanked so she couldn’t bite them if she tried, and put her in the truck. My mother-in-law and I met them at the vet to get the dog checked out. She didn’t look good.

 The dog, a young black lab, didn’t even weigh 40 pounds. Worse, she couldn’t stand on her hind legs. She was so weak, and the vet wasn’t sure why her legs kept giving out. He did some x-rays which ruled out broken bones, and gave her food, tests, and vaccines. The next day, my sister-in-law took Zoe home to nurse her back to health, where her new 115 pound brother, Hunter, was waiting.

Zoe stayed in a crate for the first day or so, and she and Hunter gradually got used to one another. Within another day, they were fast friends. He seemed to know that he needed to take it easy with her.  

My sister-in-law, who is an avid runner, started taking Zoe out on walks to build her muscles back up. Within days, she was walking around with only a little bit of trouble, and had made herself a nice little spot in her new family.

I haven’t had a chance to go over to visit Zoe, but my sister-in-law tells me that she is jumping, playing, and doing very well.

It looks like she will have a happy ending after all!

Annie loves to go outside. She would stay outside all day if we would let her. Her life’s work revolves around walking the fence line, barking at the UPS truck, and getting herself as muddy as possible before coming back in the house.

When I tell her it is time to go outside, she runs to the back door at full speed.  I usually have to hold her back to get the door open, but she doesn’t go far. As soon as she runs out onto the deck, she stops cold and swings around, waiting for her big brother.

You coming?

This just recently started. Sometimes, when it’s time to go out first thing in the morning, Pub doesn’t want to get out of bed yet. She refuses to leave the deck without him. It’s the most adorable quirk. 

The fence has really been wonderful. Pub just turned 10, so he usually likes to go out, do his business, and come back in to sleep on the bed, but just like a little kid, there is something about a snow day that makes him a little friskier, happier, and more energetic. He is no spring chicken, but he can still hold his own when he’s running around the yard with his little sister. He’ll humor her, chase her around for a while, and then he does his own thing. He walks around, sniffs, chews on a toy, and enjoys the time outside.

Snow Angel

 

A few years ago, we got about a foot of snow. It was so cold that the top layer of snow was frozen, and Pub and Bill would walk on the snow, not  in it. While we are not expecting any really big snowfall amounts this week, I am glad the dogs will have a few inches to enjoy.

Lately, I have been worried that Pub might be feeling left out. Annie always finds a way to weasel her way onto my lap, into a snuggle, or into the closest spot to me in the bed. It seems like I am always trying to hold them, pet them, snuggle them, and feed them both at exactly the same time. But when I see how much she loves her big brother, I realize that she isn’t trying to push him out when she noses her way in, she is just trying to share with him.

 

I have the best dogs.

Image courtesy of www.earthanimal.com

Yet again, Mars Petcare US has recalled several of its pet foods manufactured in its Allentown Pennsylania facility because of salmonella.  The  recall includes all dry food produced at the plant with a “best by” date between August 11, 2009 and October 3, 2009.

Is your pet’s food safe? Here is how you can find out:

• The affected food would have been purchased at BJ’s Wholesale Club, ShopRite Supermarkets, and Wal-Mart locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, and West Virginia.

According to the Mars website, the following brands (and upc codes) of food are included in the recall:

 Berkley & Jensen Bistro Blend Premium Cat Food 21.6# 00000 20052

Berkley & Jensen Small Bites & Bones Dog Food 52# 00000 14958

Ol’ Roy Puppy Complete Premium Dog Food 4# 81131 79078

Ol’ Roy Puppy Complete Premium Dog Food 20# 81131 79080

Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 4# 81131 17550

Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 4.4# 81131 69377

Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 8# 05388 67144

Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 20# 81131 17549

Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 22# 05388 60342

Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 44.1# 81131 17551

Ol’ Roy Complete Nutrition Premium Dog Food 50# 78742 01022

Ol’ Roy High Performance Premium Dog Food 20# 05388 60345

Ol’ Roy High Performance Premium Dog Food 50# 78742 05815

Ol’ Roy Meaty Chunks & Gravy Premium Dog Food 22# 81131 69630

Ol’ Roy Meaty Chunks & Gravy Premium Dog Food 50# 81131 69631

ShopRite Crunchy Bites, Bones and Healthy Squares Dog Food 20# 41190 04521

Special Kitty Original Premium Cat Food 3.5# 81131 17557

Special Kitty Original Premium Cat Food 7# 81131 17562

Special Kitty Original Premium Cat Food 18# 81131 17559

Special Kitty Gourmet Blend Premium Cat Food 3.5# 81131 17546

Special Kitty Gourmet Blend Premium Cat Food 7# 81131 17547

Special Kitty Gourmet Blend Premium Cat Food 18# 81131 17548

Special Kitty Kitten Premium Cat Food 3.5# 81131 17553

Special Kitty Kitten Premium Cat Food 7# 81131 17554

The last recall also involved Salmonella. When is Mars Petcare going to do something about their food poisoning companion animals?

This is unacceptable.

Salmonella infections in pets may cause lethargy, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.  Animals can be carriers with no visible symptoms and can potentially infect other animals or humans. If your pet has eaten any potentially contaminated pet food products and exhibits any of the above symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

“Some people say that cats are sneaky, evil, and cruel. True, and they have many other fine qualities as well.” - Missy Dizick

Our twelve year old cat has a serious attitude problem. I can think of no other reason for why he insists on peeing all over everything. We have had to deal with this for years, and I am finally at the end of my rope.

Years ago, he had some health issues relating to his bladder. He would form crystals in his urine and end up at the vet and on antibiotics. We had that problem fixed, but he continues to pee outside of the litter box. He has done it since he was a kitten.

He will pee on anything that is out of place, any rugs, towels, or blankets on the floor, purses, shoes, and furniture. He has peed on me. We had to pull up all of the carpeting in our house because he peed on it. He has destroyed furniture, photos, and clothing. Several years ago, a week after I bought a brand new laptop, he peed on it and destroyed it.  We had to throw out our living room furniture. Now, I am afraid to bring any other furniture into the house, because he will just ruin it, too.  So the main floor of the house is basically empty. My husband just refinished the hardwoods, so it looks great, but there is nowhere to sit. The cat rules this household.

He is healthy. He is neutered. He is not de-clawed. He is fed regularly and well. His litter box is cleaned daily, sometimes more. I don’t know what to do anymore. I am convinced that the problem lies in having three cats, but these three have been together their entire lives. And, as I said, we clean the box frequently. We live in a fairly small house, so there is no other place to put an additional litter box.

This cat has ruined so much. I am constantly running around scrubbing cat pee, and I am tired of it. Because of him, I will never have another cat. Never.

I think he needs a home with only him in it, but I don’t know how we will find that. Nobody will trust that he won’t do the same in their house.

I just don’t know what to do with him. Has anyone had any experience with this? How did you handle it?