Yippee! Zak is going home and believe it or not, we have American Airlines to thank! Very cool of you to step up to the plate, AA. Sorry for talking smack about you all the time. Now if your flights would start being punctual and you'd stop charging for checked luggage, you might be my favorite airline.
In all seriousness, thanks and job well done American Airlines.
Read about AA's donation here.
Showing posts with label puppers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label puppers. Show all posts
3/03/2009
Spare a nickel?
Last night I teared up after reading this story on Omaha.com and then seeing it on the news. The deceased truck driver's son was talking about how Zak was his dad's riding companion since he was a pup. The family is trying to get Zak back to California as he's the biggest memory they have. Tear in and of itself. But then I think about it from Zak's perspective - his owner is gone. The man he drove around the country with is no more. Although in great hands at the Nebraska Humane Society, he's got to be awfully lonely... and no doubt missing the Californ-i-a temps. So spare some change and let's get Zak back. I like to think about the power of numbers. If 300,000 Omahans donated $.05 each, we'd raise $15,000. And that's pretty rebarkable.
9/23/2008
Such a sad story
Bellevue man accused of beating his dog with golf club
A Bellevue man used a golf club to beat his rat terrier because it wouldn't stop barking.
The dog's injuries were so severe that it was euthanized.
Carson Smith Sr., 41, of 1416 St. Joachin Court, was ticketed Sunday night by the Nebraska Humane Society on suspicion of animal cruelty.
Smith was cited on suspicion of a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Mark Langan of the Humane Society said he forwarded a report of the incident to the Sarpy County Attorney's Office, which will decide whether to upgrade the charge to a felony punishable by up to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Langan said Smith got angry when his dog, Sam, wouldn't stop barking. Smith struck the dog on the head with a golf club, causing massive skull and brain injuries. The family rushed Sam to a veterinarian's office. The dog had to be euthanized at 3:30 p.m.
Langan said Smith was with the family at the veterinarian's office and was remorseful about the incident.
Langan encouraged pet owners to call the Humane Society's behavior hot line (444-7800, ext. 221) if they become frustrated with their dogs.
"People can get help from professionals about behavioral issues like barking, showing aggression or house training," Langan said. "We have great success. He (Carson) chose the wrong alternative and was criminally and morally wrong."
A Bellevue man used a golf club to beat his rat terrier because it wouldn't stop barking.
The dog's injuries were so severe that it was euthanized.
Carson Smith Sr., 41, of 1416 St. Joachin Court, was ticketed Sunday night by the Nebraska Humane Society on suspicion of animal cruelty.
Smith was cited on suspicion of a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Mark Langan of the Humane Society said he forwarded a report of the incident to the Sarpy County Attorney's Office, which will decide whether to upgrade the charge to a felony punishable by up to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Langan said Smith got angry when his dog, Sam, wouldn't stop barking. Smith struck the dog on the head with a golf club, causing massive skull and brain injuries. The family rushed Sam to a veterinarian's office. The dog had to be euthanized at 3:30 p.m.
Langan said Smith was with the family at the veterinarian's office and was remorseful about the incident.
Langan encouraged pet owners to call the Humane Society's behavior hot line (444-7800, ext. 221) if they become frustrated with their dogs.
"People can get help from professionals about behavioral issues like barking, showing aggression or house training," Langan said. "We have great success. He (Carson) chose the wrong alternative and was criminally and morally wrong."
7/31/2008
I'm such a sucker for the animal stories
Teared up on this one, too. Seriously with the kittens purring. And with Lily rescuing the cat from the water bowl. And with the tiger taking in the little baboon (mean of him to kill its mom though). Thanks to my friend Julie for sharing this tear-jerker.
7/29/2008
Sarah McLachlan Asks You to Help Animals
Click HERE to watch a commercial that aired while I was upstairs making lunch today. I immediately teared up; so much that I had to grab Macy and snuggle with her while I finished watching the spot. It'll break your heart. $.60 a day sure doesn't seem like a lot to help these poor little animals and is something I'll definitely consider.
Nicely done, ASPCA. You pulled at the heartstrings and will likely win.
Nicely done, ASPCA. You pulled at the heartstrings and will likely win.
5/21/2008
Save it
Might I suggest something? Everyone (in Nebraska) program this number into your cell phone: 402.444-7800. That is the Nebraska Humane Society. How handy will it be to have that number at your fingertips in the instance you're driving around and see a stray, lost or endangered animal. Then, if you do see an animal in need of help, there's no reason not to call.
4/06/2008
Puppy Mills
Friday’s Oprah was all about puppy mills. This story came to fruition after Oprah, — and thousands of drivers — saw a billboard in Chicago that read, "Oprah: Do a show on puppy mills. The dogs need you." The story was absolutely heart-wrenching and not just because I love dogs. Anyone who has a heart or simply believes in humane treatment should be shocked by the horrors of puppy mills.
The man behind the billboard was Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Animal Rescue. Every year, Bill and several volunteers rescue hundreds of abused, unwanted or abandoned animals, rehabilitate them and adopt them out to families. Many of the animals Bill rescues come from puppy mills, which he describes as places where bad breeders care more about the profit they make from puppies than the health or welfare of the animals. On this episode of Oprah, Lisa Ling and Bill went on an undercover mission to puppy mills in Pennsylvania. Here are some of the shocking things they shared on Oprah:
- The mom dog in one cage was stepping over and on her puppies because the crate they were all crammed into was just so small.
- There were two dead animals lying on the property of one puppy mill they entered. The owner wouldn’t let Lisa and Bill into his building, so who knows of the horrifying conditions of that puppy mill.
- Many of the dogs had never stepped on grass. Ever.
- One dog had a huge wound on its neck with a chain collar on – rubbing through the raw wound. Some dogs had chains on, estimated to be on them for their entire lives. Many had the chains embedded into their skin because they had been worn for so long.
- Lisa and Bill picked up seven labs that at one puppy mill that were going to be shot because they can “no longer produce.”
- These dogs live in crates outside year round – even in the cold and snow.
- Most of the puppy mill dogs live 8-10 years in rabbit cages. Some of the dogs don’t even know how to walk.
- One adult lab was terrified to walk on ground. He had never stepped foot on solid ground – only the bottom of a wire crate.
- One female dog reproduced so many times it was estimated she gave birth to more than 140 puppies.
There was something else that really got me. Meet “Shrimp.” (Bill names the dogs as he says most of the dogs in puppy mills never get names and most will never know human affection EVER in their life.)
The photo on the left is what Shrimp looked like when Bill rescued him from a breeder. You wouldn't know it by looking at that photo, but Shrimp is a malti-poo, and should look a lot like Macy. Bill adopted Shrimp himself, and a little over a year after his rescue, you can see what Shrimp looks like today (photo on the right):
Puppy mills are filthy, cruel businesses that see dogs as nothing but money-makers. Believe it or not there are dog auctions where puppy mill owners go to buy female dogs to reproduce. One puppy auctioneer actually sold a dog by saying “what other dog is going to get you $2,000 in puppies in one litter?”
Here are some tips for getting a dog and for putting a STOP to puppy mills:
1. Consider adoption.If you're looking to make a dog part of your family, check your local shelters first. Not only will you be saving a life, but you will ensure that your money is not going to support a puppy mill. There are many dogs waiting for homes in shelters all across the country—and an estimated one in four is a purebred! Your second option is breed rescue. If your heart is set on a specific breed you haven't been able to find in a shelter, you can do an Internet search for a breed-specific rescue organization in your area.
The man behind the billboard was Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Animal Rescue. Every year, Bill and several volunteers rescue hundreds of abused, unwanted or abandoned animals, rehabilitate them and adopt them out to families. Many of the animals Bill rescues come from puppy mills, which he describes as places where bad breeders care more about the profit they make from puppies than the health or welfare of the animals. On this episode of Oprah, Lisa Ling and Bill went on an undercover mission to puppy mills in Pennsylvania. Here are some of the shocking things they shared on Oprah:
- The mom dog in one cage was stepping over and on her puppies because the crate they were all crammed into was just so small.
- There were two dead animals lying on the property of one puppy mill they entered. The owner wouldn’t let Lisa and Bill into his building, so who knows of the horrifying conditions of that puppy mill.
- Many of the dogs had never stepped on grass. Ever.
- One dog had a huge wound on its neck with a chain collar on – rubbing through the raw wound. Some dogs had chains on, estimated to be on them for their entire lives. Many had the chains embedded into their skin because they had been worn for so long.
- Lisa and Bill picked up seven labs that at one puppy mill that were going to be shot because they can “no longer produce.”
- These dogs live in crates outside year round – even in the cold and snow.
- Most of the puppy mill dogs live 8-10 years in rabbit cages. Some of the dogs don’t even know how to walk.
- One adult lab was terrified to walk on ground. He had never stepped foot on solid ground – only the bottom of a wire crate.
- One female dog reproduced so many times it was estimated she gave birth to more than 140 puppies.
There was something else that really got me. Meet “Shrimp.” (Bill names the dogs as he says most of the dogs in puppy mills never get names and most will never know human affection EVER in their life.)
The photo on the left is what Shrimp looked like when Bill rescued him from a breeder. You wouldn't know it by looking at that photo, but Shrimp is a malti-poo, and should look a lot like Macy. Bill adopted Shrimp himself, and a little over a year after his rescue, you can see what Shrimp looks like today (photo on the right):
Puppy mills are filthy, cruel businesses that see dogs as nothing but money-makers. Believe it or not there are dog auctions where puppy mill owners go to buy female dogs to reproduce. One puppy auctioneer actually sold a dog by saying “what other dog is going to get you $2,000 in puppies in one litter?”
Here are some tips for getting a dog and for putting a STOP to puppy mills:
1. Consider adoption.If you're looking to make a dog part of your family, check your local shelters first. Not only will you be saving a life, but you will ensure that your money is not going to support a puppy mill. There are many dogs waiting for homes in shelters all across the country—and an estimated one in four is a purebred! Your second option is breed rescue. If your heart is set on a specific breed you haven't been able to find in a shelter, you can do an Internet search for a breed-specific rescue organization in your area.
2. Do your homework before buying from a pet store.The puppy that charmed you through the pet shop window may have come from a large-scale, substandard commercial breeding facility, commonly known as a puppy mill. In these facilities, parent dogs are caged and bred as often as possible and give birth to puppies who could have costly medical problems you might not become aware of until after you bring your new pet home.
3. Internet buyers, beware.Buying a puppy from the Internet could be risky. If you buy a puppy based on a picture and a phone call, you have no way of seeing the puppy's breeding premises or meeting his parents. And those who sell animals on the Internet are not held to the Animal Welfare Act regulations—and so are not inspected by the USDA. If you fall in love with a puppy over the internet, make a visit to the breeder in person and follow the guidelines for how to recognize a responsible breeder.
4. Know how to recognize a responsible breeder.If you've exhausted your options for adopting and are choosing to buy from a breeder, remember that responsible breeders have their dogs' interests in mind. They are not simply interested in making a sale, but in placing their pups in good homes. A responsible breeder should screen you as thoroughly as you screen them.
5. See where your puppy was born and bred.One sign that you are speaking to an unscrupulous breeder is that they will not let you see the facility in which your puppy was born. Always ask to see the breeding premises and to meet both parents—or at least the mother—of the puppy you want to take home. Ask to see the area where the mother dog actually lives and breeds. You should also ask for an adoption contract that explains, in terms you understand, the breeder's responsibilities, health guarantee and return policy.
6. Get an animal locally.Local shelters, rescue groups and breeders should be your first resource when looking for a new pet. There's bound to be a loving animal in your area that needs a home.
7. Share your puppy mill story with the ASPCA.If you have—or think you have—purchased a puppy mill puppy, tell your story. Every bit of evidence gives advocates more power to get legislation passed that will ban puppy mills.
8. Speak out to your legislator.Inform your state and federal legislators that you are disturbed by the inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills and would like to see legislation passed that ensures that all animals bred to be pets are raised in healthy conditions. You can keep up-to-date about current legislation to ban puppy mills by joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade. Visit http://www.aspca.org/ for more information.
I admit we did not rescue Macy from a shelter; we purchased her from a breeder that we knew and was highly recommended. We were very wary of puppy mills and made sure we were not supporting such an awful business. I encourage everyone else to do the same.
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