Wanted: love for pound pups

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Unfortunately, 144,000 animals are surrendered to the RSPCA each year - and 63,000 of those are dogs.

Just after Christmas, when people go away on holidays, or when their cute puppy is becoming an adult, are the busiest time of year for animal shelters.

In December, Bree from the RSPCA was shocked to discover a young Rhodesian Ridgeback out the front of their shelter.

'The dog had been dropped off and he was in a really bad state. His ribs were sticking out and his fur was matted and dirty.

'He was so nervous, and he had obviously been mistreated by people who couldn't cope with him. While I wanted to break down and cry, I knew I had to be strong and do all that I could to save this poor, helpless dog.

'A month on, with love and constant care, he's put on 5kg and has learnt to trust humans. We've called him Tyson and he's like a different dog.

'We're still working with him but have started looking for his new home. He deserves it after all he's been though.'

Michelle Minehan from the RSPCA encourages people to consider the life-long commitment of owning a pet before they take one on.

'You should only buy a pet if you can dedicate time to playing, walking and taking care of the animal as part of the family, not just a pet in the backyard,' Michelle says. She has this advice for anyone who's thinking about adopting an animal.

Look past the cute and cuddly factor. Will you still be devoted when your pet is no longer a cute baby?
Pets cost money, not only initially, but over their entire lifespan. Can you afford it?
Weigh up whether or not you can give the animal a good life. Are you at work all day, leaving the pet home alone? Who will look after them while you're on holiday?

If you are struggling to look after your pet, especially during the current economic crisis, you can surrender them to your local RSPCA.

'We prefer people to bring their pets to us, rather than dump them,' Michelle explains. 'Once an animal has been surrendered, they go through behavioural and vet checks, which determine if the animal will go up for adoption.'

2 British police dogs die after being left in car during heat wave

Associated Press

LONDON — Two British police dogs died after being left in a car during a heat wave, police said today.

The German shepherds were left in a car Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot of police headquarters in Nottingham, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) north of London. Temperatures topped 84 F (29 C) that day.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said it was investigating the incident under animal welfare legislation. The maximum penalty for causing unnecessary distress to an animal is six months' imprisonment or a 20,000 pound ($33,000) fine, or both.

The dogs' police handler was on duty and had gone inside the building. Police did not say how long the dogs were in the car.

"This is a tragic incident and we value the important work our police dogs carry out on a daily basis," Nottinghamshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Peter Davies said in a statement.

The Dogs Trust, an animal welfare charity, said heat can kill dogs in just 20 minutes, and that temperatures inside cars can top 104 F (40 C).

Police: 2 Michigan men rescuing turtle hit by driver

Associated Press
HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. —

Police in Michigan say two men were seriously injured when they were hit by a car as they tried to help a turtle crossing a road.

Macomb County sheriff's deputies found a truck stopped on the Harrison Township road early today and discovered the injured men nearby.

Derek James Redmond of Mount Clemens was arraigned on charges that include drunken driving. A preliminary hearing is set for July 1.

Redmond didn't have an attorney on record with the court.

Animal Friends: Muttville rescues Bay Area senior dogs

By Linda Goldston

Wee Willy is about 12 years old and only has one tooth left but he... ( Courtesy of Muttville )«12»The cocker spaniel was found wandering on the streets of San Jose two weeks ago. He is blind and deaf, and his fur was so matted you couldn't see his eyes.

He would have been put down if someone hadn't thought to call Sherri Franklin in San Francisco. She is the founder and executive director of a wonderful organization called Muttville, which rescues and seeks homes for senior dogs, at least 7 years old.

Franklin describes herself as "Muttville Central" because she takes in so many dogs herself, but she has a network of 23 foster homes around the Bay Area, including on the Peninsula, where dogs are given a second chance. Some of them have cancer and other diseases, but these kind people take them in to give them a warm, loving place for their last days.

Others might call them rescuers and foster parents. I call them saints.

"It's the passion that keeps me going," said Franklin, a hairstylist by profession. "The dogs just keep you going."

Look at the pictures of the dogs on the organization's Web site at www.muttville.org to see why. Some of them, like Wee Willy, are too cute for words, and some look as if they're ready to jump into somebody's arms.

In the past, most of the dogs that came to Muttville were from shelters that called with pleas to save the dogs. But lately the group is also seeing canine victims of the economy — dogs that were given up by families because

they have to move and the new landlord won't allow dogs. Or the owner has to go into a convalescent home. Or the owner can't afford the dog food or the medication.

"I just rescued a 15-year-old pit bull," Franklin said. "The shelter in Alameda had already kept it for a year."

Lately, "there's a huge increase in family pets," she said. "At first they pace back and forth in the house and they whine a little. They're looking for their owners."

Placed in such careful hands, though, the dogs settle down and start loving their foster parents.

Since its founding 21/2 years ago, Muttville has taken in more than 350 senior dogs and found homes for about 300 of them.

Franklin is hoping to find a home for the blind cocker spaniel. She thinks the dog is 10 years old, and she named him Geronimo. He has been cleaned up and has a new haircut. He wags his tail "like crazy" when he's petted, Franklin said.

Muttville recently placed a 14-year-old dog found wandering the streets in Hayward with a woman about to turn 100. No shelter would allow the woman to adopt because she was so old. Still, she had her heart set on a little white poodle.

One grooming and a couple of baths later, the scruffy little dog found in Hayward turned into a gorgeous white poodle. Franklin made sure there was a support network to help the 100-year-old woman with the dog, and the little poodle rarely leaves her arms.

That's the way the world should work.

This all-volunteer organization spends the majority of donations on vet bills and could use your help if you have a little extra cash. There's also a wish list on its Web site for such things as a steam cleaner for the shelter's floors, laundry detergent and a pressure sprayer.

Donations may be made through PayPal on the organization's Web site or checks may be mailed to Muttville, Box 410207, San Francisco, CA 94141.

Chihuahua races

10 Reasons Why Pet Insurance Is A Must

Pets and Animals

Pets today need insurance as the cost of medical treatments are very high and in breeding and other problems have made pets more susceptible to diseases and other problems.

Pet insurance can cost anywhere between USD 2000-6000 over the life of a pet and the amount of premium to be paid would depend on many variables like breed, age, and more.

Pet insurance can be bought online or offline from leaders like: Pet care Insurance Companies; Veterinary Pet Insurance Company; Pets Best Insurance; and Vet Insurance. The best way to insure a pet is to ask your vet for advice. Pet insurance at affordable rates can be purchased online from websites devoted to pet insurance and pet care. The premium to be paid depends on age of pet, general health of pet, breed of pet, potential risks for susceptible diseases and so on.

Before investing in insurance you must do your homework and find out all you can about polices, how to keep premiums low, and how to buy the best pet insurance at the most affordable rate. The internet is a knowledge highway and has great information on pets, insurance options, and more. Make the effort to educate yourself.

Medical treatment can cost thousands of dollars. And treatments for hip diseases, cancers, kidney failure and more can cost between USD 1000- 5000. In case of disease or accidents pets can be treated and nursed back to health instead of “put down.”

Here are a few reasons why pet insurance is to be considered:

1. A pet is a family member and death due to accident or illness can upset children. Insurance coverage could save the life of the pet.

2. Pet insurance gives peace of mind and owners can stop worrying about unpaid bills or pets crossing roads.

3. Pet insurance ensures longer life spans of pets.

4. Insurance offers preventive health care, which means diseases can be detected in pets at early stages when treatments can offer cures.

5. Pet insurance covers expensive diagnostics and hospitalization expenses for pets.

6. Pet insurance can save the life of the pet as it covers treatments like radiation therapy and kidney replacements.

7. Pet insurance releases the burden of having to pay when the family is going through lean times such as being “laid off” or having a personal illness to deal with.

8. Pet insurance can help you get a deductible which is cost saving and the insurance will protect the pet.

9. Pet insurance offers regular health checks, shots, elective and non elective surgeries, and sometimes extended stays at a pet boarding house.

10. In general pet insurance can cost as little as USD 20-40 a month and this brings good health and cheer to the pet, very much a family member.

Pet insurance could save the life of a dear one without straining your wallet.

About The Author

Timothy Rudon is a writer for http://www.1855petinsurance.com/

, the premier website to find Pet Insurance, pet health insurance, veterinary pet insurance, pet care insurance, best pet insurance, pet health care insurance, vpi pet insurance and many more.

Your pet: On the nose

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We’ve all heard the term ‘dog’s breath’. For some reason we’ve come to expect our furry friends to have bad breath – but the truth is if they do, there’s something wrong.

Halitosis is usually caused by bacterial by-products present in plaque, a soft material that builds up on teeth and gums, irritating gum tissue.

Tartar, a hard, calcified material, develops on top of teeth and provides a rough surface for more plaque to stick to. Untreated, the pet’s gums will become infected – this is gingivitis. Eventually, a painful condition called periodontitis sets in. By this time, all the structures around the teeth, including the bone, will be infected and teeth become loose.

Dogs and cats should have a dental check-up during their annual vaccination. Older pets will need a professional scale and polish under anaesthesia.

Root of the problem
Oral disease is the most common infection in our pets, with 80 per cent of dogs and almost as many cats having a degree of periodontal disease by the age of three. While bad breath may be the only sign noticed by pet owners initially, gums will turn red and bleed as the disease progresses. Pets’ eating habits will also change – usually they’ll develop a preference for softer foods as chewing becomes painful.

The effects of periodontal disease don’t stop at the mouth. Bacteria surrounding roots enters the bloodstream and harms other organs. Studies show dogs with severe periodontal disease have increased microscopic damage to kidneys, heart muscle and liver.



Prevent plaque
The key to managing gum disease is prevention. If teeth are cleaned frequently, plaque will not build up and gums will stay healthy. Oral health is maintained by daily hygiene, as with humans.


The gold standard of care is daily brushing. Diets and chews approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (www.vohc.org) will also help.



How to clean your pet’s teeth
This experience can be challenging for all! But if you can do it effectively, it will make a big difference. Here’s what I find works best:

Start by getting a soft cloth, then apply something your pet likes the taste of (Vegemite or anchovy paste, for example) and gently open its mouth, rubbing the cloth on the teeth. Don’t worry about trying to clean them the first time – just getting the pet used to you opening its mouth is the aim of the step. Reward your pet with a treat.
Over a two-week period, use the cloth to work your way around the outside of the teeth at the front and back. Give a little treat and a big cuddle as a reward for cooperation.
Once your pet has accepted the cloth, you can change to a soft child’s toothbrush. You can also use a pet toothpaste product – never use human toothpaste as pets hate the taste, and it’s too high in foaming agents and fluoride for them. Pet toothpaste comes in a wide range of flavours including malt, chicken, beef and prawn.

Amazing Dog Birth!

Animal Friends: Cat turns out to be an escape artist

By Linda Goldston
Mercury News
This story begins when Katherine Filice of Gilroy adopted a feral kitten from Town Cats in Morgan Hill.
She named him Pixel and learned right away that he could still be "a little wild sometimes." So Katherine's husband, Dean, asked that Pixel, who's now 1-year-old, be kept in a spare room at night and when Katherine wasn't at home "so he didn't claw too much of our furniture."
That didn't stop Pixel from falling in love with Katherine and adopting her as his own. (Katherine is creative director at a graphic design agency, which was the inspiration for his name.)
Almost nightly, Pixel climbs into Katherine's lap and "just stares my husband down — as if he is saying, 'She's mine, and there
Video: Pixel opens the door is nothing you can do about it.'''
That includes keeping little Pixel locked up.
Katherine and Dean came home one day, and Pixel was out of his room, the door left open. The couple feared a burglar had broken in.
But nothing else was amiss and after a few days of finding Pixel out of his room when they came home, they had their suspect.
"We realized he must be doing it!" Katherine said.
Pixel had learned how to turn the handle and open the door. He jumps up, pulls down on the lever until the door pulls open a crack. Then Pixel drops down and listens at the door — making sure the coast is clear and the big bad husband is not there — before venturing out.
Not to be outdone, Dean tried stretching
a bungee cord to Pixel's door and the door knob across the hall "so he can't open the door when he isn't allowed out," Katherine said. "It is a total man thing — I am surprised he didn't use duct tape."
Still, friends and family refused to believe that Pixel was actually doing this. That's when Katherine decided to set up a video camera to catch her feline escape artist in the act. The video is so charming — and funny.
"It turns out that he only lets himself out near the time I am supposed to be home," Katherine said. "If just my husband is home, he stays in his room, as if he knows he would get in trouble."
Pixel has learned to stay away from the family's 13-year-old German shepherd, Franklin, a female who is blind, deaf and hates cats. And when Katherine is outside with her horse, Styx, Pixel yells — meows — at them from a window.
Ever active and curious, Pixel also likes to play fetch — and catch when he gets bored with that.
"He jumps on my lap and drops a toy mouse," Katherine said. "I throw it and he runs after it and brings it back to my lap. He will do this for hours.
"One time I didn't throw the mouse far enough, and he jumped up and caught it between his paws, so now sometimes we play catch and sometimes we play fetch. I am worried someday he will find a real mouse and drop it into my lap."
Most endearing to Katherine — and frankly to me — was when Pixel went up to her daughter Aly's room and found one of her stuffed kittens.
"He brought it to me and ever since that has been his 'buddy.' He will put that little stuffed kitten in his bed and sleep with it. I was shocked to see out of the dozens of stuffed toys, he picked a little gray kitten."
Alas, Pixel mostly has the run of the house.
No doubt he'll be moving those bungee cords from his room to the couple's bedroom — at least when Dean is there — in no time.

Animal Friends: The kitten that won them over

By Linda Goldston


Mercury News

Rho was just a handful of dirty fur when Randy Thompson of Livermore found... ( Randy Thompson )«1»Some people spend days, even weeks, trying to decide on their next pet. Some people just luck into one.

Randy Thompson was sitting at his desk in Milpitas working away in August when a co-worker said she saw a tiny cat outside the window.

Randy ran outside and saw "a little fluff of fur in the bushes." The kitten was terrified and would hiss and growl when Randy tried to get close.

After several trips outside to talk to the cat, Randy and another co-worker were able to corral the kitten, throw a towel over him and quickly place him inside a cardboard box. Randy still had several more hours of work before he could take the kitten home, and the scared animal "was very noisy and hostile. Any noise or movement around him would set him off on a hissing, meowing fit."

When the towel was taken off, "we found a tiny little dirty, white, furred ball of teeth and claws," Randy said. The kitten appeared to be 4 to 5 weeks old and obviously had been on his own for several days.

Randy put water in the box and soaked some dry food he had in the car in water so the kitten could eat it. After the food disappeared, Randy wrapped his hand in the towel and picked up the kitten: "He became a totally different kitten. He was shaking and meowing incredibly loud — he was no longer the tiny scared kitten; he was wanting his mommy!"

The Livermore resident knew he couldn't keep the little critter because his housemate, Larry Pelz, is allergic to cats. But home he went with the kitten in the box.

They made it through the first night, with a make-do litter box and kitty litter borrowed from a neighbor, but first on their to-do list for the next day was take the kitten to the local animal shelter. They were getting ready to go to the shelter when the phone rang. Larry's new Toyota Prius had come in; could he come pick it up?

Well, you know what happened after that. By the time the two housemates got back that night, the kitten had become pretty adorable. Randy had given him a Beanie Baby teddy bear to sleep and play with the night before, and the mini tiger loved taking a running lunge at the bear, tackling it and then embedding his claws and teeth into it.

The next day, on Sunday, both men helped give the kitten a bath. As soon as they started drying off the kitten, "Larry said that he looked like a drowned rodent," Randy said in an e-mailed story. Larry started calling the kitten Rodent and the name stuck, though it was refined to Rho Dent or Rho for short.

About eight months later, all is well. The dirty kitten has grown into a beautiful cat, as you can see from the photo of Rho; Larry is taking allergy shots; the cat's teddy bears are piling up; and both Larry and Randy are taking the two daily alarms set by Rho in stride.

"Rho has two alarm settings — 4:15 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.," Randy said. "No one gets to sleep past those two times, and anyone who tries gets to feel the feline alarm go off: jumping, licking, more jumping, banging the window blinds and general obnoxious cat behavior until everyone is up and showering."

Go, Rho!

And never doubt the potential of a rescued pet. They don't come with papers — they come with love and joy. Still, if Larry's Prius hadn't arrived when it did, would Randy and Larry have missed out? Nah, they were hooked by then.

Doggy drive-in

A new dog group in the Santa Cruz area — called Woofers and Walkers — has some fun things lined up for dog owners there. There's an "adventure walk" every Sunday and planned movies for dog owners and their canine friends. This Sunday, it's "Best in Show" on the patio of the Crepe Place in Santa Cruz. For more information, check out www.woofersandwalkers.com or call 831-427-0350