If you’re looking for quick info, then Little Bites is your section. It’s a collection of canine tidbits that have been put together in quick-read style. You’ll read about the latest trends along with snippets of pooch news. Youll have information and fido facts at your fingertips.
Book and Film Reviews, Pet-Terrific Travel and Pomo‘s Telltale TiPs will keep you out of the dog house and put you into the K-9 insiders’ world.
The Shih Tzu and Lap Dog Meetup of South Florida is a fun and fast growing pet-gathering social. On April 27th they participated by attending and donating to a fundraiser benefiting Shih Tzu Rescue. Lisa Elizabeth, Meetup Organizer: "I’m the owner of a miniature pincher that loves hanging out with Shih Tzus. Currently, I’m fostering Muchie, a Shih Tzu that enjoys running around and playing with other dogs. He also loves greeting new humans. Muchie is looking for a forever home.
"There wasn’t a Shih Tzu Meetup in South Florida. So I set out to raise awareness for the Shih Tzu Rescue, Inc. a no-kill nonprofit organization that rescues, rehabilitates and finds quality lifetime homes for dogs in South Florida. This was important to me and the other Meetup members". Congratulations to Lisa and the other 30 members of The Shih Tzu and Lap Dog Meetup of South Florida. Be sure to check out Shih Tzu Rescue at www.shihtzurescue.org. Of course, cash donations are always needed. There’s also a wish list page that lists, among other things, the need for strong leashes and grooming supplies that can be found by clicking on www.shihtzurescue.org/wish_list.htm. Also welcomed is volunteer time.
The money that Americans spend on their pets is greater than the gross domestic product of all but 70 countries.
During the German invasion of Russia in World War II, the Russians used dogs as suicide bombers. They trained dogs to search for food under large vehicles. With a pack strapped on their backs loaded with explosives, the dogs had an upright stick that would detonate their bomb when it caught on the underside of the German vehicle.
Animal Friends, a shelter in Pittsburgh, takes abused, neglected and unwanted animals and finds them families. Many of them are elderly dogs that have been left by people who move, want a younger pet, or are overwhelmed by age-related maladies. Ann Cadman, a coordinator at the shelter, decided to form Red Collar Society (After the Red Hat Society where woman over 50 glory in being middle-aged) specifically to place older pets. Since last April, over 300 older cats, dogs and rabbits have been adopted. www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org
The Happy Barker Company sells dog beds and toys made from hemp, and biodegradable poop bags made from soy and corn.
Some flea collars emit a constant toxic cloud around your pet’s neck. Every time you hug your pet, you’re also getting a dose.
Chemical-based anti-flea shampoos should be replaced with an herbal shampoo. Or use soap and water, which kills fleas if left on the animal for 5 to 8 minutes. Another trick: pour boiling water over a couple of sliced lemons then soak overnight. Strain and pour into a spritz bottle. Then spritz the dog daily and rub into the coat. It’s also effective on dog bedding. (By the way, cats don’t’ like citrus.)
DOGA (Doe-guh), dog yoga, has become popular in New York City and London. People help their dogs into yoga poses then rub or nuzzle them while the dogs stretch or just hang out.
Central Bark (centralbarkusa.com) is another doggie day care chain that is franchising.
The New Yorkers by Cathleen Schine is now available in paperback! Order your copy today at amazon.com.
If you fly out of O’Hare in Chicago, you can drop your dog at Paradise 4 Paws, a 24/7 pet hotel that has flat-screen TVs and a dog bone-shaped pool. A 2nd location is planned for Midway by September and 10 more across the country after that.
The American Kennel Club® warned pet owners and breeders about an alarming rise in dog thefts in recent months and offered tips on keeping pets safe with an appearance on NBC’s Today Show earlier this month. From parking lots to pet stores and even backyards, more dogs are disappearing. The American Kennel Club also updated the look of their official eNewsletter. Be sure to check out their site at www.akc.org.
Members and friends of Bay Families with Dogs (www.bayfwd.org) recently held a cleanup at the new pet-friendly beach on Panama City Beach located in Florida. They made it the cleanest beach in the area, gathering up drink cups, cans, food bags, discarded beach umbrellas, a fish knife, and even a discarded music CD. Guess what they didn't find? Any 'you-know-what'. Thanks to www.petsincondos.org for keeping us informed of all the need-to-know win-win pet situations for people & pets.
Going topless on the beach in Miami is fine but walking your pet without a leash ... Fagettaboutit. And, not picking up doggy poop? Then the city will take away street parking permits from renters, and will assess liens on property owners. To get the full scoop click on: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/neighbors/story/499904.html.
On April 4, The Oprah Winfrey Show exposed the terrible abuses suffered by dogs in puppy mills. The emotional and thought-provoking hour was dedicated to the memory of Oprah's beloved dog Sophie, who passed away March 10 at the age of 13. The viewer response was so overwhelming that a follow-up to the puppy mill show was aired April 28th. The Richmond SPCA was featured in the segment and we’d like to encourage pet lovers to check out www.richmondspca.org.
Special thanks to Matt Stiker, SVP, Executive Group Director at McCann Worldgroup for sending us “Instructions For Properly Hugging a Baby”. Pat Manning, Assistant General Manager of The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond Virginia provided us with the Oprah Shout Out regarding the caring and compassionate Richmond SPCA facility.
