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

yahoo7
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.