Doggie Tales

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=189 style="border-right: 1px solid #C0C0C0;" BGCOLOR="#996633" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Home Page"><IMG SRC="10f931a0.gif" border=0 width="147" height="26" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id7.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Adopt a Dog"><IMG SRC="101981d0.gif" border=0 width="152" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id10.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dog Behavior"><IMG SRC="10d941d0.gif" border=0 width="148" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Homemade Goodies"><IMG SRC="12c911e0.gif" border=0 width="145" height="30" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Bark Park Loacations"><IMG SRC="105961c0.gif" border=0 width="150" height="28" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id11.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pooches On Parade"><IMG SRC="107911f0.gif" border=0 width="145" height="31" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id12.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Resources"><IMG SRC="19f931a0.gif" border=0 width="147" height="26" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id9.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Vet Advice"><IMG SRC="10b931b0.gif" border=0 width="147" height="27" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><IMG SRC="4b1921b0.gif" border=0 width="146" height="27" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFCC" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Doggy Tales</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>For $2.00 She Was Mine</B></div> <div> By Debra J. White</div> <bR> <div> I paid $2.00 to a woman hawking vials of crack cocaine for a scrappy mutt she called Maxine. That was September 19, 1988 when I worked as a social worker in a decaying<IMG SRC="49711b50.png" border=0 width="273" height="181" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> South Bronx neighborhood overrun with illicit drugs and more gang members than police could arrest. Already living on a shoestring budget and nearly buried in student loans, I planned to take Maxine to the ASPCA, a local animal shelter. I lived in a one-room apartment and could barely pay for rent and utilities. How could I afford a dog? By the time I got home, however, the skinny dog with the sparse brown and gold coat melted my heart by wagging her tail then rewarding me with doggie kisses. I couldn’t let her go.   </div> <bR> <div> After a veterinarian pronounced Maxine to be young and in good health, I introduced her to my jogging routine to channel her boundless energy. She adjusted to my morning schedule but she had absolutely no behavior training. She chewed nearly everything I owned including shoes, toothpaste, jackets, and books. When I opened the front door and a storm greeted me, those sparkling eyes always won me over. How could I be mad when she rubbed her body against my legs and licked my hands?</div> <bR> <div> Maxine became a therapy dog and cheered nursing home residents with her spunky personality. One elderly woman saved treats for Maxine’s weekly visits, including hunks of apple pie and hard boiled eggs, every bite of which my dog enjoyed. Maxine trotted through each resident’s room and brought smiles to patients whose lives had been fractured by illness, injury or just advancing age. A few residents wanted my dog to live with them. </div> <bR> <div> At an animal shelter fundraiser, we won an award in the owner/dog look a-like category. As an avid jogger, I dressed Maxine in running shorts and a T-shirt then draped a scarf around her neck. We were quite the team, even if she refused to keep the sneakers on her feet. </div> <bR> <div> When Maxine slept, she snored, making rousing noises. I often wondered what she dreamt about. No matter how many comfy dog beds I bought her, she only slept in the bathroom. I moved her beds closer to mine where I thought she’d be more relaxed, but she resisted and returned to the bathroom. I finally gave up because she seemed happiest near the bathtub.      </div> <bR> <div> I brought Maxine for animal blessings to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. She howled and yapped during the ceremonies but pastors always understood. Smiling, they blessed her anyway, even if she created a ruckus. </div> <bR> <div> At meal time, she scarfed down each bowl of kibble as if it was her last. As a stray, she scavenged for food in garbage cans and who knows where else. Undoubtedly, she spent many days hungry. I promised her that as long as she lived with me, she’d never have to worry about her next meal. Still, she didn’t seem to understand and I felt bad watching her wolf down every meal.</div> <bR> <div> Whenever I relocated, Maxine always came with me. Leaving her behind was never an option. She enjoyed hamburgers minus the pickles at fast food restaurants during rest breaks along the highways. No motel every refused to rent me a room because I had Maxine with me. And yes, she slept in the bathroom at the Holiday Inn.  </div> <div> Maxine and I shared a special bond. On January 6, 1994 we took our usual stroll after work when a car struck me. I landed in a ditch, unconscious. Neighbors said Maxine refused to leave my side, licking blood oozing from the gash on my head. She whimpered and whined as the ambulance sped off. Fortunately, friends cared for her during my two-month absence. Who knows what would’ve happened otherwise? </div> <div> During my lengthy hospitalization, friends persuaded doctors to allow Maxine to visit. Although I have no memory of her bedside calls, friends said I knew her name. At the time, I didn’t know my own, what happened to me or where I was. When asked who was president, I said Ronald Reagan. He left office in 1988, six years earlier.</div> <bR> <div> When I came home from the rehab center nearly two months later, I was on the verge of slipping into a deep depression. How could I, an active, vibrant 39 year-old woman, live as a disabled person? I always earned my own keep, often juggling two jobs. I jogged nearly every day. I finished three New York City marathons and dozens of other road races. I biked up mountains in Colorado. But Maxine’s warm nose nudging me to get out of bed made the difference. Ever so slowly I shifted my angry attitude. My life must have a purpose. </div> <bR> <div> In the following years, Maxine took my disability in stride. She rode on my motorized scooter like the happiest dog in the world. As she aged, my chair became as vital for her outdoor activity as it was for me. We went everywhere together. Eventually, Maxine became sick. First, it was thyroid disease. Then diabetes hobbled her body. Twice daily shots of insulin prolonged her life. But kidney failure soon followed. Not long after, Maxine lost her struggle. In February 2001, Maxine passed into eternal rest. I cried for days. How could I live without my beloved Maxine? Other unwanted dogs have needed me since. I’ve loved each and every one but Maxine will always hold a tender place in my heart. I cherish her memory and the canine companionship that kept me going at a time I wanted to quit. That was the best $2.00 I ever spent. </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Nothing That Can't Be Fixed </B></div> <div> by Pamela Jenkins</div> <bR> <div> "Oh, no! Look out!" I whispered to myself as I watched the truck in front of me narrowly miss the little black dog on<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG SRC="4664fba0.png" border=0 width="335" height="186" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT> the highway. The dog cringed away, limping on one leg. It ran to the shoulder of the road and then turned to stare hopefully at my car as I drove past. Something in that earnest stance stayed with me well after the stray was out of sight.</div> <bR> <div> Stray dogs were a problem in the rural community where I lived. My husband, a veterinarian, often spoke about the plight of these forgotten animals. Most did not survive long. If they were not killed on the roadways, they died of starvation or disease.</div> <bR> <div> I kept thinking about the black dog as I drove home. Then I made a decision to do something I'd never tried before. I pulled into the parking lot of the veterinary clinic. I found my husband inside and began to tell him about the injured dog. "If I can catch it, would you put it to sleep? I hate to see it suffering." He thought for a moment, then answered quietly that he would. He didn't seem very pleased with my plan.</div> <bR> <div> Armed with a blanket and some dog biscuits from the clinic's waiting room, I drove back along the highway. I found the dog once again on the shoulder of the road. I pulled over and parked, grabbed some biscuits and stepped out of the car. When I walked around to where the dog lay, I got my first good look at just how miserable such an existence can be. The little black dog's hair was missing in patches. Roughened and raw skin showed through the bare places. It was very thin. One tooth caught on an upper lip, giving it a fierce snarl. One eye had been injured. It was so hungry that it was gnawing on the bottom half of an old turtle shell it held between its paws. Kneeling down in front of it, I fed it the treats until they were gone. Then I carefully picked up the dog and set it on the blanket in my car.</div> <bR> <div> During the drive back to the veterinary clinic, I kept telling myself that what I was doing was the right thing. This animal had no home, no owner. It was injured and starving. A quick, painless euthanasia was better than the fate that awaited it otherwise. I glanced down at the dog and saw it studying me. The look in that one brown eye was unnerving. "Just don't think about what's ahead," I told myself. My husband was waiting for me when I pulled back into the parking lot. He opened the car door, picked up the dog and carried it into the clinic. Reluctantly, I followed him inside. Instead of taking the dog to the kennel area, he carried it into the exam room. There, he started looking over his newest patient.</div> <bR> <div> “It's a young female, about a year and a half old. She has mange, that's why her skin looks so bad. Probably hit by a car, but this leg's not broken. Her jaw is fractured, though, and starting to heal itself. This eye needs some corrective surgery and the eyelids need to be closed..." While my husband continued to examine the black dog, she sat quietly on the table. Her gaze never left my face. Why was she staring at me? Did she understand why I had brought her to this place? His examination completed, my husband turned to me. He looked at me meaningfully and said, "There's nothing here that can't be fixed." I looked once more at the dog. She was still watching me with her single brown eye. I felt heartsick about this dog's sad life, and the decision I had to make.</div> <bR> <div> It's been twelve years since that day. I think about it often, especially on days like today when I'm sitting in the yard watching my hens peck around in the grass. My orange cat stretches lazily from a sunny spot on the patio. The summer's last hummingbirds are fussing about the feeders. An old dog leans against my leg. She lays her grey muzzle, once so black and shiny, on my knee and looks up at me. I give her silky head a pat. Now I understand the expression in that solitary brown eye. And I answer her, "I love you, too, Daisy."</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>The Life of a Police dog </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >by Julie Pasquinelli, </FONT><A HREF="http://www.pets.911.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.pets.911.com">www.pets.911.com</A> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><IMG SRC="448a5970.png" border=0 width="165" height="151" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <bR> <div> I was about to be attacked by a dog, but I wasn't afraid. The thick blue bite-suit was so heavy I needed help walking. I couldn't bend my knees or put my arms down to my sides; they stuck out from my sides like they were in casts. </div> <div> And I was wearing a helmet... just in case. </div> <div> I squared my feet, attempted to bend my knees to lower my center of gravity, and thrust out my right arm as I had been instructed. I thought I was pretty steady. </div> <div> Scottsdale (AZ) Police Officer Scott DiIullo stood about 10 yards away holding Spike, his K-9 partner, on a leash. Spike was straining against DiIullo to get away: to Spike this is play time. </div> <div> "Ready?" Officer DiIullo yelled to me. </div> <div> I nodded and he unleashed Spike. Spike came charging at me. When Spike was about 3 feet away, he leaped into the air, grabbed my right arm and as he was flying by, he turned me around and I landed face first in the grass. He still had my arm in his mouth, shaking it, waiting for DiIullo to come over and "apprehend" me and tell Spike he did a good job. </div> <div> Before it fully registered I was on the ground, two officers - one on each side - were helping me up. </div> <div> Thrilled that I wasn't hurt, I was anxious to do it again. </div> <div> Before getting into the big, blue bite-suit I shadowed Officer Owen Keefe, trainer of the Scottsdale Police Department's K-9 Unit as he took K-9 officers and their dogs through their weekly training. For over two hours, he supervised as the dogs sniffed for explosives, followed the scent of a criminal, and followed his partner (all of the dogs are male) into a building while avoiding gunfire. </div> <div> Keefe told me about the dogs' backgrounds, their training, how these dogs were such a valuable tool for the department, and perhaps most interesting, how these dogs are completely different from the type of police dog used just 20 years ago. </div> <div> <B>Background </B></div> <div> The Scottsdale Police Department uses Belgian Malinois dogs. The Malinois is similar to a German shepherd and to an observer, may even look like a small German shepherd. The main difference, according to Officer Jack Taylor, also of the Scottsdale Police Department K-9 Unit, is that the Malinois is "always on" meaning they are always ready to work. Because they are smaller and leaner than a German shepherd - another breed typically used in police work - the Malinois is more agile and can apprehend criminals quicker. </div> <div> The dogs were bred and trained in Belgium for two to three years. Police dogs are conditioned from birth to be working dogs. They are stronger and sturdier than a regular pet. DiIullo explained that a police dog is not your ordinary companion dog, so he can't be trained or treated like he is. The Scottsdale Police Department employs male dogs because they are bigger and generally tougher than females and tend to have higher play and prey drives. </div> <div> Keefe personally selects the dogs to bring back to Arizona. Some things he looks for are the dog's potential to do police work, the strength of his play and prey drives, and the dog's courage. If the dog shows fear or timidity, he is not a good candidate for police work. </div> <div> <B>Training</B> </div> <div> Once the dog is selected, he comes to Arizona for 16-weeks of training with his assigned officer. After that, the partners go through weekly maintenance training and monthly and annual certification. All dogs are KNPV titled, which means that they are trained in agility, obedience and tracking and will be able to transition well to police work. Dogs are used for bomb/explosive detection, narcotics/drugs detection, and patrol work which includes tracking a criminal. </div> <div> Veterinarians estimate that a dog's sense of smell is up to a million times stronger than humans'. Because of their extraordinary sense of smell, dogs are able to pinpoint where a smell is coming from. Dogs can differentiate smells too, even if they are mixed together. Officer Keefe explained, "When a person smells a cheeseburger, they just smell a cheeseburger. But a dog will smell all the different parts: the meat, the cheese, the bun and all the other things that make up that cheeseburger." This skill is useful when a narcotic, for example, is mixed with something else, something trying to mask the scent. Instead of masking the scent, it just gives the dog one more thing to smell. </div> <div> When training a dog for scent work, the scent, whether it is an explosive or narcotic, is introduced on a toy to get the dog to associate the scent with play time. Then the trainer slowly weans the dog off the toy. At first, he is given the toy every time he indicates he found something. Then it's every 3 times, then every 10 times, etc. until the dog will wait until the handler decides to give him the toy. </div> <div> When I was observing the building searches, Keefe handed me a stick of dynamite and told me to smell it. I brought it up to my nose and inhaled the sweet, pungent odor. "This is what the dog smells as soon as he comes into the room," Keefe told me as he put the dynamite back behind the clock about six feet above the floor. Two dogs had already gone through the building and found explosives. Now, it was time for Keefe and his partner, Nitro, to search. </div> <div> Nitro started at the building's entryway, sniffing frantically and twitching - it was finally his turn to "play." Keefe gave a command and Nitro went to work. We followed Nitro from room to room, where he found explosives hidden in a metal cabinet, in a heavy-duty fuse box and on a windowsill behind horizontal blinds. Each time, Nitro sat and Keefe told him "good boy" or "good job." </div> <div> The last room we entered was the room where I had smelled the dynamite. Nitro quickly zeroed in on one side of the room and sat, his cue that he found something. Keefe needed more. He gave Nitro his command. Nitro got up and sniffed, narrowing the scent down to one corner and sat again. Still not good enough. Keefe gave Nitro his command again. Nitro got up, jumped on the paper shredder, pointed at the clock with his nose, then sat back down, twitching and whining with anticipation. "Good boy!" Keefe said, giving Nitro his ultimate reward: praise, a pat on the head and a well-chewed toy.   </div> <bR> <div> For bite work, the dogs are trained for a deep mouth bite. With this kind of bite, the dog takes the person's arm or ankle into the back of his mouth. This not only helps prevent their canine teeth from puncturing the suspect's skin and but also gives the dog a better hold.</div> <bR> <div> The dogs are also trained to "bite and hold." As one could guess, the dog bites and just holds on; he doesn't bite, take the person down, let go and bite again. This type of procedure helps prevent injuries to the criminal. Bite and hold also means the dog holds on until their partner comes to them and takes possession of the criminal. It is common practice for K-9 units to give commands in a different language. For this K9 Unit, the commands are given in Czech. One reason is for safety. The officers can't risk having the dog chase a criminal and the criminal yelling "Stop," for example, and the dog stops. Though extremely unlikely, it can happen. Also, since the dogs were trained using Czech words, it was easier to teach the human officers the new words than to teach the dogs.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Valuable Tool</U></B></div> <bR> <div> In addition to being partners, dogs are considered an intermediary weapon, similar to a stun gun or pepper spray. If a criminal is going to fight or use force, the officer can send in the dog rather than draw his weapon, sparing the criminal a possible gunshot wound. If the criminal is running away, the officers can send in a dog to pursue. Dogs can run up to 30 to 35 miles per hour which is much faster than a criminal.</div> <bR> <div> All of the officers agreed that they are not in the business of hurting people. Which is why they train their dogs the way they do: to apprehend the criminal but not intentionally hurt him. According to the United States Police </div> <div> Canine Association, "the San Diego Police Department has witnessed firsthand proof that the use of Police Service Dogs does, in fact, reduce the likelihood of either the officer or suspect resorting to deadly force."</div> <bR> <div> Dogs are an effective way to apprehend a criminal while decreasing the need to use escalating force.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Today's Police Dog</U></B></div> <bR> <div> Due to the Malinois' temperament, the dog sometimes fights or challenges his new handler by disobeying and biting. When an officer and dog are matched up, the officer has to show the dog that he, the officer, is in charge. At the same time, the dog can't be afraid of him. When Officer Jack Taylor and Karlos were matched up, Karlos tested Taylor: he didn't obey commands and bit Taylor - more than once. Karlos was trying to show that he, the dog, was in charge. To move past this issue, the officer must make it clear that if the dog doesn't listen, "he has to think he is going to die," according to Taylor. One way is to pin the dog on his back, belly up, until he stops struggling. Once the dog submits, "We praise him like crazy," Taylor said.</div> <bR> <div> In a way, this willingness to challenge the officer is desirable. Because of the intensity of the work and the fact that the dog must listen without fail, the dog will have to be disciplined. Too much correction can break down an ordinary dog. The Malinois have been bred for several generations to be strong, agile, tough-minded dogs, so they aren't likely break down.</div> <bR> <div> Because of the amount of time spent together, the dog and officer develop a bond that makes them better partners. They can read each other's body language, thus making them a more effective team. According to Keefe, it can take up one year to be able to read the dog's body language. The officer has to know how the dog responds in situations or to stimuli, and each dog reacts differently. Similarly, the dog learns the difference between subtle hand gestures or tones of voice.</div> <bR> <div> All the officers take their dog home after their shift, and they all refer to themselves as "dad," so it is important to have a compatible dog. Since Keefe hand selects each dog for each officer, it's always a good fit.</div> <bR> <div> Keefe acknowledged that police dogs still have a reputation for being mean or "junk yard dogs;" that dogs are used simply to scare and bite criminals. He admitted that in the past, those were the kinds of dogs used, but now, temperament is often a deciding factor in whether or not a dog will be selected for police work. As Officer DiIullo put it, these dogs have to be just as comfortable doing a demo for school children and as they are apprehending criminals. They not only enforce the law, but they also educate the public; you can't take an unpredictable "junk yard dog" into a classroom of children who are all eager to "pet the doggy."</div> <bR> <div> Police dogs aren't attack dogs and aren't trained to kill people. They are trained to catch the bad guy and hold on until the officer can approach and safely apprehend the criminal. To them, training and work mean playtime, and this playtime also benefits their community.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Golden Rescue Account  </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>by Sue Lockinger</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> When I was growing up my grandfather bred Golden Retrievers and had a world champion in both field and show 3 years in a row.  I used to help at his kennel in Missouri in the summers.  I learned to love the breed and he was a great example of a responsible breeder.  Since he had a boarding kennel also we sometimes had  as many as 100 dogs<IMG SRC="41ad2c70.png" border=0 width="210" height="199" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> between a couple of litter of pups and the boarding dogs. Grandpa taught me the importance of having a well behaved dog even if he wasn't going to be a show dog.  I got my first Golden from Grandpa when I was 12 and have had Goldens most of my life since.</div> <div> When we got ready to get a new golden, a chance meeting at work made me aware of Rescue A Golden of Arizona because a volunteer brought calendars in for sale.  That was the start of my commitment to rescue groups.  My husband and I put in our application to adopt a Golden and learned about the foster program.  We told our RAG representative we'd be happy to foster anything and gave the specifics of what we wanted to adopt - a 5 year old, dark red male. We became the foster parents to a pair of 11 month old gold males. The foster coordinator at the time warned me jokingly that one of them was 1/2 giraffe.  Comet is the biggest golden I have ever seen.  These two were such great dogs we adopted them and shortly after became a Foster Family.  We would have a dog for a few weeks while it got is initial vet care and then we would be instrumental in picking an adopt family for that dog.</div> <bR> <div> During the summer of 2005, a puppy mill was shut down in Tucson and we became the foster family for at one point, 2 females and 12 pups.  The travesty of puppy mills came home full force as we watch some of the pups die in our hands.  The moms we were able to rescue weighed under 35 pounds themselves and were trying to support huge litters of pups when they were just pups themselves. The moms came out of the mill with worms and one had tick fever. The pups were all sickly and had assorted health issues.</div> <bR> <div> The story behind Mr. Green Jeans is bitter sweet.  He was one of the puppies that Rescue A Golden brought in last summer after a Puppy Mill shut down in Tucson.  There were a number of  pregnant females that went to the Pima County Animal Control Center.  The first two moms gave birth and then rejected the pups.  RAG was given 9 of the pups. This was basically a, spur of the moment, do it NOW rescue and I was the foster mom.  We used ribbon and such to keep the dogs straight.  One of those colors was Green. Within days we lost 5 of the pups as they were all so sick.  RAG also got two moms and two more litters of pups a couple of weeks later from the next two litters born at PACC.  I wound up fostering one of the moms and her 5 pups along with the remaining 4 pups from the first litter.  The second two litters were color coded with yarn I had at  home.  The idea when we brought the pups in was they would be adopted before they became used to a name so colors kept everyone straight here and at the vet's office. Green was with us since he was 9 days old and we bottle fed him and his litter mates.  He developed pneumonia and from that permanent lung damage. Since he was here so long I started calling him Mr. Green Jeans from the Capt. Kangaroo show when I was a kid.  One of the pups from the last litter is blind and also got named because he was around so long. His original color was Orange. The first time we took him to the eye specialist to confirm he was blind and see what could be done they asked it that was is real name.  This was in October so I said well we could call him Pumpkin and my husband jokingly said or Bumpkin.  Bumpkin the Pumpkin stuck.  Do you remember Hello there Country Bumpkin. How's the frost out on the Pumpkin. Pumpkin has very unique markings on his face that could be said to look like frost on a pumpkin.  </div> <bR> <div> In December my husband and I adopted both Mr. Green Jeans and Bumpkin.  GJ for short (only in written things) has an unknown life span due to the lung damage. He could leave us tomorrow or be here for a few years.  Bumpkin has been at our house since he learned how to walk. He knows our yard, the people that come over and what is along our 2 mile morning walk.  If you didn't know any better and were just here visiting you'd never know he was blind.</div> <bR> <div> Sue Lockinger Proud mom to Goldens:  Comet, Bro, Mr. Green Jeans, & Bumpkin, and Tiger the Cat </div> <bR> <div> For information on Rescue a Golden: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000CC" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.golden-retriever.org</U></FONT>;  </div> <div> new retriever rescue group: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.azrr.org</U></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>DARLENE AND FRANK </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >by Ken White</FONT></div> <bR> <div> When Darlene sat down to Christmas dinner, she had the company of one friend, and one friend only: Frank. She admits wishing for a larger gathering, and remembers well and warmly when her holiday table seated a big crowd: her husband, their two children, many friends.</div> <bR> <div> Her husband died long ago, and most of her friends are by now also gone. The children are grown with families of their own, and while they often call and talk about a visit over the holidays, that just never works out with their own busy schedules. Darlene would be welcome to visit them for the holidays, and that occasionally does happen. But they live long airline flights away, Darlene isn't especially fond of plane travel, and she worries about who would host Frank in her absence.</div> <bR> <div> Frank himself isn't looking overly concerned, appearing confident that Darlene will always make the right choice about their life together although he's choosing to not talking about it. This some sort of terrier-mix, perhaps with a sprinkling of poodle or Maltese, is pretty relaxed about most things. Today, he's looking especially sporty in his red-and-white Christmas collar, and for the few moments he tolerates it the Santa hat sits rakishly on his fuzzy grey and white head. He is, in short, a charmer.</div> <bR> <div> Frank's been charming Darlene for the eleven years they've lived together. He was a little lost pup back then, brought into the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA by one of the Society's humane officers. Darlene recalls that there had been suspicion of abuse in his earlier life, and that he had at least been hurtfully neglected: the wiry hair on his legs had grown together in filthy, painful mats, so stiff and knotty that it was almost impossible for him to walk. She brought home a shaved and timid dog, but that's all ancient history now.</div> <bR> <div> Getting on in years now, Frank's still a pretty chipper fellow and loves the long neighborhood walks they take every day. Darlene credits her own remarkably good health to Frank's insistence on that daily stroll with. And not only physical exercise, but a fair amount of social exercise as well, since there's hardly a person they meet who doesn't want to stop for a sniff and a welcoming snuggle. Frank's shamelessly affectionate with just about anyone he meets. </div> <bR> <div> Christmas dinner included something special for Frank; a bit more table scraps than the veterinarian would recommend, but still an amount that the doctor has signed off on. Darlene is a stickler for running such things by the doc, hoping to have her friend with her for many, many more Christmases. And there was, of course, something special from Santa in Frank's stocking. A bit belatedly, from them and from me, happy holiday! </div> <bR> <div> Ken White is president of the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, the largest animal welfare and protection charitable organization in San Mateo County, California.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>To the Rescue!</B></div> <div> <I><B>  <IMG SRC="3e8bbfd0.png" border=0 width="187" height="253" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>Note: the following is a question</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  & answer interview with Alexis</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  Boyle, Arizona Humane Society,</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  who made two trips to New</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  Orleans to assist with the rescue </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  efforts of  animals stranded and</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  abandoned  after Hurricane</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  Katrina wrecked havoc on the</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  region  </B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>How did you decide which ones to save and, also, which ones to bring back?</B></div> <div>      <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >Great question, because by the time my team arrived, the Lamar Dixon Expo Center was beginning to get full, which meant that, while Team I was dropping off animals up there frequently, we were only able to drop of 2 loads the entire time we were there.  It was sort of discouraging because it forced us to be unable to save everyone.  We got to the point where we were simply feeding and watering animals that were secure in their houses and looked otherwise healthy, and only impounding the ones that were critically injured or sick.  It was hard to have to walk away from so many abandoned animals, leaving them with just food and water, but we only had a limited number of kennels at our camp, so we had to reserve them for the *really* sick guys.  Deciding which ones came back was almost entirely a matter of the heart.  Dr. Payne (part of Team I) rescued a little female pit bull puppy that was found locked in a kennel with her littermate. The situation was much more graphic, but suffice it to say that her littermate did not survive and had been dead for a while when we found them.  Dr. Payne insisted that we take that one home! Another factor, though, was their medical soundness - the temporary shelter in Gonzales was so understandably overwhelmed that animals with severe injuries were not likely to survive up there either, and we had our fully functioning clinic where we were and the Second Chance Animal Hospital to bring them back to.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Describe a typical rescue mission.</B></div> <div>      Well, there were sort of two scenarios. When we first arrived, things were still so, well, disastrous that we were simply walking (or rather wading) down nearby streets and making animal noises to try and get survivors to respond.  Many were confined to porches, many were still secure inside homes, and still others escaped and were wandering around dry lands.  After a few days of this, we started to get organized. We compiled a spreadsheet detailing our day to day operations, split up groups by zip code, consulted web sites that gave us exact addresses to check, etc.  So, we'd hold a morning briefing, give everyone their assignments, load up our vehicles with food, water, water bowls, gloves, cleaners, basic medical supplies, a tranquilizer gun, bolt cutters, and headed out.  A typical situation, then, would be finding animals inside houses.  We would approach the house and knock on the door (there were a few people still there) and identify ourselves as “Animal Rescue.”  If no one responded, we would then enter the house (yes, we did have to break into some houses). We had to watch where we walked, as the waters had caused furniture to move and many of the floors/walls were warped by water damage.  Many of the animals were not so thrilled to see us at first, so we'd slowly approach them and try to befriend them with good treats! Once everyone (meaning the animals!) was relatively comfortable with the situation, we'd give some fresh water, leash them up and load them onto the boat or truck.  Then, they were taken back to camp where they were given a clean kennel, clean water, fresh food, and they were seen by a member of the veterinary team. I understand, though, that Team I performed several rooftop and cartop rescues.  These would have been done in a similar fashion - make friendly with the animal, so they know you are not there to harm them, leash and take them to the transport vehicle. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Anything else you'd like to tell readers about your experience?</B></div> <div>      I think I'd simply like to thank our donors and supporters because without them, this operation would NEVER have happened. I felt confident, when I left, that we had done A LOT of good and that our donors would be proud of us!</div> <bR> <div> <B>How has this rescue effort affected you and your life?</B></div> <div>      I know it may sound cliché, but being part of a rescue mission of this severity really puts things into perspective.  The second time I went out, to pick up the last of our crews and the last of our rescuees, I was traveling with an amputee, a cat with a feeding tube, two dogs with severly damaged paw pads, and others who had survived for FOUR full weeks without food or water.  These were true survivors and the problems I thought I had became nothing in comparison.  I had to grieve for the whole situation, for the people and the animals and everyone affected by this disaster; but at the same time, I felt truly fulfilled to be able to contribute the way we did.  It's definitely an experience that I'll be recounting to my grandkids.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>To the Rescue!</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B><IMG SRC="3d1b7e00.png" border=0 width="183" height="224" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B> Note: the following is a question</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  & answer interview with Alexis</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  Boyle, Arizona Humane Society,</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  who made two trips to New</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  Orleans to assist with the rescue </B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  efforts of  animals stranded and</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  abandoned  after Hurricane</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  Katrina wrecked havoc on the</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>  region</B></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>What was going through your mind on your trip to the area and what did you think you were going to see and experience?</B></I></div> <div> Well, I went out twice - the first time was just two weeks after the hurricane hit, and our first team of rescuers had already been out there for a week. Point being, Team I gave us a lot of great info on what to expect and I was pretty comfortable with what we were going to find there. Still, even though I knew what to expect, I wasn't necessarily prepared for the entire experience.  Thanks entirely to our donors, our organization was one of the only ones that was able to literally camp out at ground zero. We have a 60-foot mobile hospital on wheels, the front of which is basically an RV. So, we were completely self-contained and able to park ourselves in Jefferson Parish outside of a Salvation Army thrift store.  My team, Team II, arrived to find what basically looked more like a war zone that a natural disaster area.  There were cars (I even saw an empty passenger bus) in the middle of the roads that looked like they had been abandoned literally in a matter of seconds, military helicopters flying overhead constantly, total devastation. We had to be escorted by Humane Law Enforcement into the area because it was still fairly unstable, and the roads were *definitely* not cleared.  There was no power and no potable water.  The mobile clinic can sleep about 4 people, but the EAMTs slept in sleeping bags mainly on top of the mobile clinic and I and the vet techs slept in the back of our box truck. Again, I knew what to expect; but nothing, absolutely nothing, could prepare you for the stench.  It kept me up one night.</div> <bR> <div>  <I><B>What were your first impressions when you arrived and set out to find stranded animals? Was it what you thought it was going to be?</B></I></div> <div>      The first day after we arrived, we went out with Team I and they showed us what they had been doing, where they had been going, where to avoid, where they'd had success, etc.  We put on our full length waders and drove into the neighborhood surrounding the Salvation Army store we were camped at. By this time, a lot of the water had receded, though we still needed waders to get around (in places, the water still came up to my waist).  It was desperate - when we first set out, we literally just waded down the streets whistling, making barking and meowing noises to try and locate stranded animals.  It was kind of chaotic because you'd make your noise, hear a dog respond a block away, head towards him and then you wouldn't hear him again. But, you'd simply hear another animal nearby and head towards him.  In maybe 3 hours, we had already filled up an abandoned boat that we commandeered (don't worry, we returned it when we were done!). One dog we found stranded on a porch; we found a Pomeranian and a bird trapped in a house, and the others were mostly rescued from inside homes. What was kind of discouraging, though, was that, after a few hours, we'd only “cleared” one block.  Sure, we'd saved a lot of animals there, but at that rate, we wouldn't be able to finish covering just that neighborhood before Team III arrived.  However, we started to get smart and split up, keep lists of where we had been and who we had seen, spray painting houses so other groups that we DIDN'T necessarily have contact with knew that someone had been there, and we even hooked up with rescuers from Pennsylvania SPCA and San Diego Humane Society.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Where did you stay at night and how did you stay clean (or did you)?</B></I></div> <div>      <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >I think I already mentioned this, but here was the run down. Most of the other animal welfare organizations were “camped” out at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, LA. That facility is about an hour and a half away from New Orleans and was operating as the temporary pet evacuation center (meaning that all the animals that all these groups were rescuing were being taken to and housed at this expo center).  Because we are self-contained, we were able to camp out in New Orleans, in Jefferson Parish, at Ground Zero, if you will (in fact, there was a military checkpoint not 100 yards from where we were parked).  We had at our camp one of our box trucks (generally used to transport animals to offsite adoption events), the mobile clinic I already mentioned, and a compact AHS van.  Most of the EAMTs slept on top of the mobile clinic; some of the support staff and supervisors slept in the mobile hospital, and I and the vet techs slept in sleeping bags in the back of the box truck.  As there was no power or potable water, showers were few and far between.  We had to use bottled water simply to brush our teeth.  A few days after we arrived, we found FEMA and Incident Command not 15 minutes away from where we camped.  At IC, they had mobile showers, a mobile cafeteria of sorts, everything one could need in a disaster situation. So, we organized a couple trips up there so folks could shower and eat a hot meal.  I'd say, in the entire week we were there, each person got maybe 2 or 3 showers total.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Any special rescues or observations you'd like to share?</B></I></div> <div>      One thing that I think should be mentioned is how completely accommodating the authorities were (FEMA, military, national guard, etc.).  The groups that were doing <I>human</I> search and rescue got to the point where, when they marked the house with spray paint after clearing it, they would indicate also if there were pets inside, so we would know where to go.  Similarly, some of the national guardsmen would pick up strays and bring them to us (I think because we were so close in proximity to their camp).  They would share their lunches with us if they saw us working out in the field, they'd check on us at night. FEMA even brought us a giant water tank (with potable water and faucets!!!) so we were able to start doing some laundry and not be so stingy with the water bottles we had.  The level of cooperation by everyone involved was simply inspiring.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Were there lots of animal groups there? Did you work together?</B></I></div> <div>      Indeed, there were animal welfare organizations from the entire nation, including but certainly not limited to Humane Society of the United States, American Humane Association, Houston SPCA and Michigan Humane Society (as seen on Animal Planet!), San Diego Humane Society, Pennsylvania SPCA, groups from Boston, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and of course, Louisiana SPCA.  As I mentioned before, all but a few groups were camped at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales.  We did meet and join forces, if you will, with the San Diego Humane Society and Pennsylvania SPCA. PSPCA actually camped out with us, and San Diego Humane joined us for our morning briefing every day.  This way, we could cover more ground and know that we were not revisiting areas that had already been covered.   </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="3d399c50.png" border=0 width="153" height="197" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT><U>BINGING HOLLY HOME </U>by <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial Rounded MT Bold" >Julie Pasquinelli</FONT>, <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial Rounded MT Bold" >www.pets911.com</FONT></div> <bR> <div>   My dog Holliday was almost killed two years ago. She wasn't</div> <div>   poisoned, or hit by a <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial Rounded MT Bold" >car or diagnosed </FONT>with a deadly disease.</div> <div>   She ended up at animal control. She was there for three days </div> <div>   and when she didn't get adopted she was scheduled to be killed. </div> <div>   It wasn't because she was sick; she had no fleas or ticks, no</div> <div>   kennel cough and no obvious sores or injuries. She wasn't</div> <div>   mean or aggressive, just a little shy. The sole reason she was</div> <div>   to be killed was lack of space; the current method to combat</div> <div>   overcrowding is to kill animals. </div> <bR> <div> Once an animal's time is up, only the "most adoptable" go up for adoption. Because of the shyness she exhibited in her kennel, Holliday was not considered adoptable. </div> <bR> <div> This is not a unique story. In fact, it is so common that groups have formed specifically to save animals in her situation: her time was up. On the day she was to be killed, a local group came in to save her. My dog was picked up as a stray. Regardless of the path she took, hers crossed with mine and I knew I had to do </div> <div> something for her. My husband and I decided to bring her home. We named her Holliday. </div> <bR> <div> We already had a dog, Wyatt, who we adopted from the humane society. He is an outgoing, rambunctious dog. To him, everything is a game and he would rather go investigate something than run away from it. </div> <bR> <div> Holliday was just the opposite. Loud noises sent her running and sudden movements caused her to duck. She would close her eyes and flinch when we tried to pet her, wouldn't wake us up at night to let her out, and basically didn't want anything to do with us. She loved playing with Wyatt but when we were giving him </div> <div> attention, she would go to another room. </div> <bR> <div> We wanted to hug her and pet her and reassure her she would be OK, but she didn't want us to touch her. So we talked to her, repeating her name and if she got close enough, we gently touched her. After a few months, Holliday let us brush her and touch her paws. After about a year, she figured out how to crowd us off the couch and became an expert at stealing the most comfortable chair in the house. </div> <bR> <div> Holliday is a completely different dog than the one we brought home two years ago. She has some anxiety, which her obedience teacher said is from being abandoned, but she also has a silly side. She will pounce on toys and hop when she is running. She loves going to her playgroup at the park. She goes from person to person sniffing them and wagging her back end so hard it looks like she's dancing. She also loves being the welcome wagon: whenever a new dog is approaching the group, she runs over, sniffs and then escorts the dog to the group. Just like Wyatt did with her, she is showing the new dogs that being around people is fun. </div> <bR> <div> Holliday is lucky. Less than 40% of all animals make it out of shelters alive. This number would surely decrease if more people realized there are great pets at animal control, even pure breeds! It is estimated that one in four dogs in shelters are pure breeds, and depending on the area, this number can be higher. </div> <bR> <div> Not only do you get a pet, and save a life, but you also don't have to pay thousands of dollars for your pet! Not that I <B>wouldn't</B> pay thousands of dollars for my Holliday. She's priceless.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="352d3b50.jpg" border=0 width="211" height="181" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B>ZEUS' TAILS </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >by J.P. Bradley   </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >         </FONT></div> <div>   </div> <div>     <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><B>Don't squat with your spurs on!!!!!!</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div>  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >Yep, that's what I said.  I know for a fact that the south end of a north bound man cannot take that surprise punishment.  It all happened like this.  We had been suffering in the heat, here in the valley.  I knew it was hot, very hot, too cotton-pickin hot.  One day, I looked out the window and saw a bunch of dumb looking crows using potholders to pull worms out of the ground.  I knew then, it was too hot.  This is when Dad decided we should go up to the mountains and cool off.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> We went to our friend's place, high up in the mountains.  This was a real neat place.  Cool streams, lots of tall trees with the wind blowing through the tops of the trees and a jim-dandy of a lake, which is where the picnic is to be held.  Now let me tell you, picnics are my most favorite of all favorite things.  I cased the whole layout of my favorite foods.  Foods are my favorite of favorite thins.  So one might say I had this caper all figured out.  I'll fix it so one of those country dogs takes the blame when I pull this caper off!</div> <bR> <div> Then up rides this “long drink of water” cowboy  on his horse.  He is wearing the biggest spurs I have ever seen.  Well…….this cowboy ambles over to the food table and fill up his plate with some great looking chow.  Someone offered him a chair, he declined and said he would just squat down by the tree.  Which he promptly did.  Guess what?  The spurs dug into his skinning rear end.  He let out a “yippie-ki-yea” and threw the plate of food in the air, which landed on top of a pretty blonde girl's head.  She fell back onto the food table.  At the same time, the cowboy stepped on an old dog's tail who was lying by the table waiting for a “hand-out.”  He let out an ear-piercing bark, making the big fat man in front of him fall forward on to the food tale.  It caused the blond, the fat man, the old dog, the table and all the food to fall into the lake.  I just looked on in amazement.  There it was.  What food that had not sunk was floating away.  I just wrote this day off.  </div> <bR> <div> Do down in the valley we went, where Dad put some potatoes in the ground.  In a few nimutes, he dug them up, washed them, put butter, salt and pepper on them.  Dinner is served!  I love this valley heat.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Zeus' almost famous saying</div> <div> Think about it!  If something can go wrong, it will……………...     </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>ZEUS'S TALES:  </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Tempus Sans ITC" ><B>The Runaway Horse Caper</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> Hi gang…….</div> <div> Wow, it is hot!  No, it is real hot! Not, it is hotter than a mean-one wing-Dragon's breath on the day after an all-night binge.  When it is this hot, we take our walk in the early morning and never in the afternoon, as the side walks and streets are too hot for my feet.  Humans should realize that dogs do not wear shoes.  Here is a simple test:  put your hand on the pavement for 30 seconds.  If you can hold it there comfortably, you should be able to take your life-time companion for a walk.  However….the street  asphalt is about 10-15 degrees hotter. (Take the walks in the early morning, please!)</div> <bR> <div> We had that stupid skunk in the neighborhood last night. (We need to find a new home for that guy).  I think the next county would be a good place.  For once, I did not receive the incoming fragrance.  But that skunk did unload on that little jerk up the street-you know-the one with the nervous lips. (Sometimes I think that dog fell off the turnip truck).  Terry, my groomer at Furry Friends Kennels in Payson, will be happy when I sashay in for my squeaky clean bath.  She will be pleasantly surprised that I wasn't skunked.  Terry told me the last time that four times was enough.  Terry and I are on a first-name basis.  I listen to her lectures, then snag her peanut butter cookies when she's not looking.  I use my wisdom and skill to make it look like one of the other dogs did it.  She thinks I'm an angel. (I always admire her views).</div> <bR> <div> Oh, now for the title of my story.  After you read this, you will all agree that I am somewhat of a hero (which shouldn't surprise anyone).  During one of my leisurely strolls, I heard a girl screaming.  When I located the nasty situation, I observed a young pretty blond girl (what I would call a fox) on a horse.  This horse was really bucking and the pretty girl was having a very hard time staying on this brain-dead of a horse.  No one could do anything  as the horse was also spinning.  Using my super intelligence, I reason that something had to be done and done very quickly,  Bang, the light switch came on!  It was time to put my strategy into effect.  I ran into the store and got Wally the Wal-Mart greeter .  He came out and unplugged the machine.. (Well, something had to be done and I don't recall seeing anyone else doing anything).</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Zeus' almost famous observation:</div> <div> When you're thinking how it was in the good ol days-just turn off the air conditioning</div> <div> Zeus' hot tip:</div> <div> A whole lot of table scraps are not good for dogs, however, I think peanut butter cookies </div> <div> should be an everyday staple.</div> <div> JP Bradley writes Zeus' column.  Do you have an adventure story you wish to share?  </div> <bR> <div>  <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Wow!  What a Place!</B></div> <bR> <div>   <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Tempus Sans ITC" >Well…….the day started like this!  On a recent fine morning, Dad took me for an early morning walk (we always go early).  Now as everyone knows, the concrete in the valley during the summer gets very hot, and hotter as</FONT></div> <div> the day goes by-which is why we walk early. (I don't wear shoes to protect my feet, yo know).</div> <bR> <div> Anyway, when we got back to ur home after our rip-snorting time, I heard Mom telling Dad: “something stinks around here!”  They were both looking right at me.  I knew they meant me, because I looked around the room and there was no one behind me. (personally, I thought I smelled pretty good myself, if I do say so).  Anyway, I knew where this one is going to go!</div> <bR> <div> So off we went to <U>Bark Avenue</U>, my favorite place to get squeaky clean.  Who was there to greet me?  My ol' buddy Vicky (we go way back).  She is always good for a peanut butter cookie or two.  Wow!  This is their brand new building.  On the wall above the desk area are cat condos with glass windows.  These cats can just lie there and watch people.  They even have color T.V.  When the office staff gets bored, they wave feathers in front of the windows to give the cates entertainment.  This is where the cats stay while their moms and dads are away.  These cats are really roughing it!</div> <bR> <div> Then, I was show the dog-boarding area.  Wow!  I was in heaven.  The joint has a color T.V., lard kennels, music and air-conditioning.  But best of all: a paly/exercise area outside!  It is huge, lots of grass, trees and all that good stuff.  There was a dog in the big grass area.  He was trying to catch a ball, which was being thrown by the exercising person.  My observation of this comedy was:  “this dog would have a better chance of catching a meteorite than catching that ball.”   Heather and April were my guides.  I stayed close to Heather, do to the fact that she's a pushover and she had all of the peanut butter cookies.  When she runs out, I'll work on April's stash of goodies.  Anyway, I had a great bath (which I always enjoy).  I was even able to give my groomer a bath with my famous head to tail shake.  Our birth mother taught us from an early age, to always go to a human when shaking water off.  This is a way to show our love.</div> <bR> <div> Now that I was squeaky clean, it was off to the pet supply store, which is in the same complex and is also called Bark Avenue.  Nancy and Elizabeth greeted us.  These are classy gals.  As a matter of fact, all of the gals in both places are “foxes”.  This store has some stuff I've never seen before.  Even stuff for all those show dogs.  They even carry hard to find food.  Best of all was the toys.  I even got Dad to buy one for me.  Dad also bought me a real neat bath scrubber and some shampoo-can't pronounce it but it sure does smell good.  It's supposed to make you smell cleaner than a fresh picked flower that was picked next to a mountain stream.  Anyway, when you go in there, tell them: “give me the stuff Zeus gets.”  Bark Avenue is located at 3109 E. McKellips in Mesa, Arizona.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Zeus' Tip:</B></div> <div> Before taking your dog for a walk, place your hand on the concrete for at least 30 seconds.  If you can keep it there comfortably, it is safe for the dog to walk.  Remember, asphalt is about 15 degrees hotter.  Humans wear shoes-dogs don't unless you provide them for us.  Happy tails to all……Zeus</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>ZEUS'S TALES:  With rain comes good and not so good              </B></div> <bR> <div>   Well, I guess by now every one can tell what this story is going to be about.  It sure started out to be one of those rip-snorting-let the good times roll-fun days.  About five families went to a real great home in the country. The best part was: each family had a dog and even better, cats were not allowed!  Now cats are okay (we have two); it's just they don't fit in with organized dog games.  Cats feel they're more superior.  I think they are not to be trusted.  I should know.  Those “brain-dead terrorists” that live in my home must have pulled 10,321 pranks on me.  Many a time, I was ready to call 911.</div> <bR> <div> Anyway, the place was great, lots of room to run and have fun.  It had rained earlier that day so there were a few red clay puddles around, so one had to watch where you put your paws down.  All of the adults were in the patio area around the barbeque pit and us dogs were in the courtyard.  Now one of these dogs is named Fluffy and he is about as dumb as a bag of rocks and somewhat annoying.  I do not understand how he can see with all that hair.  Boy oh boy, talk about a bad hair day!!  Anyway, I was chasing Fluffy and he turned too fast, I slipped and landed smack dab in a big red clay puddle.  All of a sudden, I am a red headed German Shepherd.  I felt it would be nice of me to show Mom and Day and all the rest of the people, my new look.  So I went into their area.  As I ran into what I call “center stage”, I had the urge to shake, which I promptly did.  You should have heard all of the yelling.  Now, everyone was mad at me.  I just had to get even with that little jerk, Fluffy!  Just then, I noticed some cows in the field.  When you see cows, you're going to see cow pies.  I convinced Fluffy that if he rolled in one of those fresh cow pies and went in and showed his Mom and Dad how brave he was, he would most likely get a treat.  You have seen Fluffy run up to his Mom and rub all over her nice white dress.  Now everyone was mad at him!  I just love it when a plan is successful!</div> <bR> <div> Then the sky opened up and it rained dogs and more dogs-everyone got sopping wet.  Just then I knew there was a “big Dog” in the sky.  When the Moms and Dads ran in the house to get out of the rain, they forgot something.  They forgot the steaks and hamburgers that had just been cooked and were setting on the table plates.  All of us dogs just had a marvelous time.  Us taller guys got what I call “prime choice.”</div> <bR> <div> By the time the mistake was realized, it was too late.  We were full of steaks and all the trimmings.  It was the best buffet I have ever been to.  But we were sopping wet. (seems Moms and Dads don't like wet dogs).  Everyone was mad at us and no one would talk to us.  But we could care less.  On the way home, Mom told me that I should not even think of shaking in the car.  Wow, I guess something blew her skirt up!</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Zeus's almost famous saying:  When a person points a finger at someone else, they should remember that </div> <div> 3 of their fingers are pointing at themselves.</div> <bR> <div> J.P. Bradley writes Zeus's column….have any comments or a brag story: call 480-924-9893</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>ZEUS' TALES: </B><B>THE LIGHT BULB CAPER</B></div> <bR> <div> Well, it all started one day when my buddies and yours truly were just hanging out.  You know, just doing nothing!  Telling lies and that good stuff when who should appeear? My good friend and publisher, Jan Miller. No Jan took one look at us and knew we were on the verge of getting cabin boredom.  So she gave us a quiz…..  “Okay you guys, how many dogs does it take to change a light bulb??  Well, my Golden Retriever buddy said: “the sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us and you're worrying about some stupid light bulb!  Duke, my Great Dane friend spoke up and said: “it will ony take two: me and my little buddy-Killer the Chihuahua.  I'll just raise him up and we'll have that bulb changed in whiz-bang fashion.  On the way down, Killer will toss the burned out one to the Old English Sheepdog so we can check out his eyesight.  Next, my Border Collie pal, Toby  spoke up right away with this:“just one, and then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.”  Sassy the Dachshund remarked:  “you know I can't reach that stupid bulb.”  Mike the Rottweiler looked around and said “make me.”  Gracy, the Greyhound (boy, what a fox she is: beautiful long legs) said: “It isn't moving so I don't care.”  Then my Jack Russell Terrier friend Max said: “ I have it all planned out, Ill just pop it in while I'm bouncing off the walls and furniture.”  Jake, the Australian Shepherd said: “first, I'll put all the light bulbs in a circle, then…….”  Ruby, the miniature poodle came out with her clever remark-”I'll just blow in the border collie's ear and he'll do it.  By the time he finishes rewiring the house, may nails will be dry.”  After hearing all of this, I came to my own conclusion-being a German Shepherd, I know how this job is to be done.  So let's get the show on the road:  “I'll change if myself, as soon as I've led everyone safely from the dark, checked to make sure I haven't missed anyone and make just make more perimeter patrol to ensure that no one has breeched the security of the home.”  Just then, Crystal, our house cat who had been taking all this in, slyly came up with one of her usual smart rear-end remarks:  “dogs do not change light bulbs.  People change light bulbs.  So the real question is:  how long will it be before I can expect some light around here, some dinner and a massage?”  My buddy, Jan, just turned around and walked away muttering: “I'm out of here!”</div> <bR> <div> I got to go to the Dog show with Mom and Dad the other day.  It was put on by the Soroptomist Club of Apache Junction.  It was a great show.  This group of women sure do a lot of good things for the community.  But I did not see anything about: peanut butter cookies for German Shepherds.  I put in 10,321 requests to receive this grant. (Just wanted to be sure they didn't forget).  Hope they raised a ton of money at this event.</div> <bR> <div> Zeus's almost famous saying:  there was a dog who went to a flea circus and stole the show</div> <bR> <div> Zeus's tip:  Hard to get your dog to eat?  Pour a little chicken broth over the kibble.</div> <bR> <div> J.P. Bradley writes Zeu's column.  Call 480-924-9893 with your comments or brag stories.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>ZEUS' TALES</B></div> <div>  </div> <div> Hi...Gang!  Did everyone have a rip-snorting, tail wagging time at Christmas?  Boy, I had a great one.I didn't even tell any whoppers.  Got great toys! Dad & Mom's daughter (Jan) sent a real neat squeaking toy-sure makes loud noises!  She said it was pay back for the drum set Mom & Dad sent to her son last year.  But, all good things come to an end.  Three days after I got Squeaky, Mom said I was “pushing the envelope” and took Squeaky away from me.  Now, I do not recall seeing Any letters lying around with the flap open but she sure was upset.  I wonder what blew her skirt up? The Grand kids were here so the food was great.  Did you ever see a kid walking around without a Peanut butter cookie or sandwich in hand?  I can snatch that morsel from the kid's hand, devour the evidence before the kid knows what happened.  They only know the chow is missing, when they go to take a bite and chomp down on their fingers instead of the chow.  You should see the look on their faces as they look around for the missing chow.  I just sit and give my most unconcerned, non-guilty look (I love a successful caper!).</div> <bR> <div> Now is the time to make all my New Year's resolutions, just every one else does.  I will not wipe out the cat's food any more (at least while someone is around).  I will not pee on Mom's flower garden any more. (who cares on this one-rabbits get blamed for nothing growing there anyway).  I will not steal the neighbor's newspaper.  Dad thinks he's getting a free paper and I get an extra treat. (I may have to give this some thought: an extra treat is one more treat than I had before).  When I am inside the SUV, I will not let out a roaring bark just as someone walks by (I'll wait until they get 1 1/2 steps away.  It's fun to watch how highly skillful they jump!).  Dad put a pillow under the TV, so when the cat rolls off while sleeping, he won't bounce.  I will not move this pillow (sometimes I forget-he does bounce pretty).  Well, that's about all.  As every one can see, I do not have many bad habits, but those cats…...need to make 10,321 resolutions.  Bottom line…..Like Mom & Dad breaking all their resolutions, I'll probably  break mine, too.  I know one thing I'm going to do.  When I find Squeaky, I'll wait until Mom goes to sleep and I'll put Squeaky by her ear and start chewing it.  I know she'll be happy I found it.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Zeus's Almost Famous Saying</B></I><I>….If you think I can't count, put 3 dog biscuits in your pocket and then give me only two!      </I><I><B>Zeus's tip</B></I><I>…..Wait at least an hour after feed for a walk</I></div> <div> <I>Got a story or want to brag about your dog?  Have comments?  Email: zeusbyjp@aol.com</I></div> <div> <I>J.P. Bradley writes Zeus's column (with Zeus's permission)</I></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Will They Come for Your Dog? </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>by Chris Wencker</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> The Underground Railroad, which many people think made its last journey in 1865 with the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, steams on<IMG SRC="3afb2c10.jpg" border=0 width="178" height="193" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"> anew.  That's right - the clandestine transportation line responsible for liberating the oppressed has stoked the fires of its locomotives again.  This time, however, the trains do not run from the South to the North, but rather from Denver to places outside the city limits.  And its passengers are not  African-Americans, but dogs.</div> <bR> <div> What is responsible for resurrecting this covert practice?  When the Denver District Court ruled on April 8, 2005, that the State of Colorado could not prohibit Denver from banning pit bulls from within its limits, those in Colorado (and elsewhere) who care for pit bulls sprang into action, and began sneaking dogs from Denver.</div> <bR> <div> The ban in Denver is a tricky one.  It prohibits any dog that is a pit bull from physically being within the limits of the Mile High City.  Its method for determining what constitutes a “pit bull” is the most troublesome aspect of the ordinance.  The ordinance defines a pit bull as:any American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, or any dog displaying the majority of physical traits of any one or more of the above breeds, or any dog exhibiting those distinguishing characteristics which substantially conform to the standards established by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club for any of the above breeds . . . .Clearly, this means that any dog that is wholly or partially a pit bull, or that even looks like a pit bull, is an outlaw.  As the quiz found at: http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html shows, trying to guess a pit bull by sight can be difficult at best.  What Denver's chosen language means is that many, many dogs who are not pit bulls will be snared by the ban.  The ordinance's token gesture to these unfortunate dogs is a provision that allows the dog's owner to prove that the dog is not, in fact, a pit bull.  Most owners do not have any such proof.</div> <bR> <div> Sadly, as good as the intentions of the Denver City Council may have been, it has missed the mark.  The problem with breed-specific bans such as Denver's, legally and practically speaking, is that they attempt to combat a very real problem - dogs that have a propensity to bite - with a sloppy proxy, that is, dog breeds.  While it is commendable to pass laws to protect people from dangerous dog attacks, breed bans suffer from the assumption that certain dogs are responsible for most of those attacks.  When the prohibited breed really is not responsible for so many attacks, the law does not serve its purpose.  That is just the case in Denver.  As reported by the Associated Press on July 21, 2005, “'If anyone says one dog is more likely to kill - unless there's a study out there that I haven't seen - that's not based on scientific data,' said Julie Gilchrist, a doctor at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who researches dog bites.”  Simply put, breed-specific bans do not address the problem, because the problem is not a specific breed.  Rather, the problem is dogs that are overly aggressive, whether due to poor breeding or improper socialization.  A basic legal rule of legislation is that it must serve some “rational basis.”  Obviously, a law that outlaws a particular breed - or any dog that just looks like a particular breed - falls short of this rule.  The better way is to place restrictions on vicious dogs, regardless of their breed.</div> <div> <I>                           </I></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>Mr. Wencker is an attorney withHochuli & Benavidez, P.C. in Tucson</I></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>PLAY NICE! </B><I><B>Strategies for helping kids and puppies get along </B></I></div> <div> <B>By Maryann Mott</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="3ad8c840.jpg" border=0 width="140" height="132" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >When Jesse Cruz of Dayton, N.J., took home a Shih Tzu puppy, things didn't go smoothly. The playful pup, Chloe, constantly jumped and nipped at her 6-year-old daughter's legs, hurting her. “My daughter used to cry and stress over not being able to control the situation," she says. Cruz, like many parents, discovered that kids and dogs don't instantly become best friends. Instead, it's up to parents to teach children how to properly and safely interact with puppies. </FONT></div> <div>      </div> <div> Canine behavior consultant Jennifer Shryock of Family Paws in Cary, N.C., regularly works with parents who are struggling to create kid-and-canine harmony at home. "Sadly, many have the expectation that a puppy and their kids should be able to get along and tolerate one another," she says. "This backfires as the kids get frustrated with the teething behavior, sharp puppy nails, and excitable behavior." A trying time for both adults and children is when puppies start getting their adult teeth (between 2 and 10 months of age). To alleviate discomfort, they furiously chew on everything - including human fingers and feet. Mouthing and chewing are also ways puppies explore their environment. You can't stop a puppy from teething, but you can take steps so that your child doesn't become his favorite chew toy. </div> <bR> <div> Shryock, who has fostered more than 60 dogs while raising three kids, recommends toddlers and young children sit on Mom or Dad's lap, or stand on a step, to feel more secure around an active pup. Shryock believes that setting up these structured play times during which young children are elevated makes them less accessible to mouthy pups. And if a pup does become overly playful, parents are there to intervene. </div> <bR> <div> Parents can also attach a toy to a long rope and let kids drag it around for the puppy to chase. This should only be done, though, under adult supervision. This game prevents the pup from pawing and nipping at the child because the toy is the target and is placed at a distance. "The bottom line is that toddlers and pups should only be together with supervision," Shryock says. "Setting up specific structured activities for the two to engage in is the best way to encourage a safe and fun bond." </div> <bR> <div> For children 8 or older, when the puppy starts biting, Shryock recommends they stand up (if sitting), stay still, and ignore him. The puppy will quickly become bored and look for </div> <div> something else to do. At that point, they can give the dog a toy, which redirects the chewing to an appropriate item. Children should not push the pup away, scream "stop," or run. When kids react this way, dogs think they're playing and will continue to bite. </div> <bR> <div> Jan Wall, a former elementary school teacher and creator of the educational Web site, <U>loveyourdog.com</U>, says parents can help children develop a better understanding of their pet by simply comparing feelings. For example, ask your children how they would feel if hit or not given food. They'll probably respond with the words "hurt" or "hungry." Explain to them that the puppy would feel the same way. "If they don't relate those things as being the same as how they feel, the dog is just a toy that they're going to be sick of in six months," says Wall, of San Diego. </div> <bR> <div> Here are a few ground rules to cover with your child: </div> <bR> <div> <B>TREAT THE PUPPY NICELY</B>. Don't hit, kick, or tease him. No yanking on his tail or pulling at his ears. Dogs will lash out if provoked or hurt. </div> <bR> <div> <B>SPEAK IN A NORMAL TONE OF VOICE. </B>Don't yell or scream in the puppy's face. His hearing is more sensitive than ours.   </div> <bR> <div> <B>DON'T HUG OR KISS THE PUPPY. </B>Humans show affection this way, but in the canine world, it's threatening. </div> <bR> <div> <B>IF THE PUPPY WALKS AWAY FROM YOU, DON'T FOLLOW</B>. This means he doesn't want to play anymore. (Establish a place in your home where he can rest without the kids - and their friends - disturbing him. Teach your child to respect the puppy's "resting place.") </div> <bR> <div> <B>DON'T BOTHER THE PUPPY WHEN HE'S EATING OR SLEEPING</B>. These are times when dogs don't like to be pestered. </div> <bR> <div> <B>ONLY TWO HANDS ON THE PUPPY AT ANY ONE TIME</B>. It's overwhelming when several kids swarm around him. A frightened dog may bite. Kids will test and retest a boundary. That's why supervision is mandatory to keep both children and puppies safe. By watching all interaction and teaching children how to properly act around the puppy, things will go a lot more smoothly. </div> <bR> <div> That's what Cruz did. She told her young daughter to stand still and ignore Chloe, the playful pup, whenever she nipped at her legs. The simple solution paid off. "Now they play nice together," she says. </div> <bR> <div> <I><B>SIDE BAR</B></I></div> <div> <I>Is My Child Old Enough?  Having kids help care for a puppy can teach them responsibility and instill a feeling of competency. What tasks a child can do depends on his or her maturity level and the dog's age and temperament. Parents should keep in mind, however, that children under 12 don't have the physical or mental ability to care for a dog on their own and should be viewed only as helpers. </I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Here are a few chores kids can help you with: </I><I><U>Three-year-olds </U></I><I>can groom the puppy with a soft brush. They can also help select a collar or toy. </I><I><U>Four and 5 year-olds </U></I><I>can walk the puppy with Mom or Dad. Buy a leash that has a loop at the clasp. Children hold the bottom loop; adults hold the top loop. This way they feel like they're walking the puppy, but you really are. </I></div> <div> <I><U>Six- to 8-year-olds </U></I><I>can feed the puppy. Give children water or food in a small container that can then be easily poured into the puppy's dish on the floor. </I><I><U>Nine- to 12-year-olds </U></I><I>can attend puppy training classes with parents. This is a great way to teach kids (and you) how to communicate effectively and to better understand your new puppy. </I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="372e8b70.png" border=0 width="232" height="183" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Talking with your Dog</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > by Janine Adams   </FONT></div> <bR> <div> We're all Dr. Dolittles.  Just ask an animal communicator.  Humans and animals communicate with one another telepathically all the time, say professional animal communicators, who are hired to talk with people's pets and report back on the conversation.</div> <bR> <div> It may sound far-fetched, but those who have tried it say that after such a conversation they feel closer than they've ever felt to their animals.  I interviewed eleven professional animal communicators (including Sonya Fitzpatrick, of Animal Planet's Pet Psychic, fame) and dozens of their clients for my book You Can Talk with Your Animals: Animal Communicators Tell You How (IDG Books, 2000).  What I heard over and over again is that telepathic animal communication can help people solve problems with their pets, learn their animals' histories, help them figure out what ails their animals and even help decide when it's time to put a pet to sleep.</div> <bR> <div> Take the case of Michele Hegedus and her cat Touché.  The cat loved to rub up against the rough material of a lampshade on the bedside table. Michele wanted Touché to stop this practice, because she was afraid he'd slip on the slick surface of the table top and slide into the hot brass base of the lamp.</div> <bR> <div> Through Gail De Sciose, an animal communicator, she explained to Touché the danger of his rubbing against the lamp. She promised to scratch his neck for him after he told her how good it felt to scratch it on the lampshade.  The very night of their conversation, he came into the bedroom as usual, hopped on the bed and instead of jumping onto the bedside table like he did every other night, he sat down and looked at Michele.  Then he looked at the lamp and looked back at Michele.  He then walked to the end of the bed and went to sleep.  From that day on, he never rubbed against the lamp again.</div> <bR> <div> Animal communication can help animal lovers in many ways. But it's not just animal communicators who can do it.  All humans have the ability to speak telepathically with animals. We're born with it, but because humans rely on language, we block off telepathic channels, which animals keep open all of their lives.  Children frequently talk with animals.  But when they report this to their parents, they're told to stop being silly.  “It's just your imagination,” is a typical response from a parent.  So kids close their telepathic channels.</div> <bR> <div> How can you open up your mind and communicate with animals?  It takes patience, practice, and trust.  You'll need to quiet your mind and focus on your animal.  Ask a question and pay attention to any response you might get. That response could be words. It could be a feeling or an emotion.  The hardest part is trusting that the response is actually from the animal.</div> <bR> <div> But with a lot of practice-and trust-you can have two-way conversations with your animal.  Communicators recommend keeping a journal of each conversation, so that you will have something to look back on if you need to convince yourself you're doing it. Many animal communicators hold workshops on learning to communicate with animals. These workshops (I've taken two) are a great way to get started.</div> <bR> <div> To learn more about animal communication, and to find a directory of animal communicators, visit Penelope Smith's website at <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.animaltalk.net</U></FONT>. You Can Talk to Your Animals: Animal Communicators Tell You How, which won an award from the Dog Writers Association of America for best general-interest book of 2000, is out of print but frequently available via online booksellers like www.amazon.com and www.alibris.com. To learn about other books by Janine Adams, visit her website at www.janineadams.com" <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><U>www.janineadams.com</U></FONT>. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>A Local Writer with a Special Love of Animals</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="37a7d7a0.jpg" border=0 width="125" height="122" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> Born in New York City, Judy Slater moved to Phoenix in 1976. It hasn't always been the good life for her, but the love from her many pooches throughout the years has eased her way and given her much joy. As a girl, the sadness over her father's death was eased by a surprise gift from her mother, a little toy poodle named Coco.  Coco helped her through many years of suffering from a condition </div> <div> finally diagnosed in her freshman year of college as Dystonia, a neuro-muscular disorder. She learned that although the world perceived her as “different,” through the eyes of her dogs she was an object of love--without flaws, disabilities or drawbacks-a thing of perfection!  Our canine companions teach us to love purely and unconditionally, without judgment or prejudice. <U>It's A Dog-Gone Good Life </U>is a tribute to all the loving doggies that share our world and do make it a much better place to be.  The book is beautifully illustrated by Florie Freshman and will appeal to children and adults of all ages.  </div> <bR> <div> There are 18 “To Be Or Not To Be” poems, which talk about many wonderful animals that inhabit the earth, but, in the author's opinion, she would always prefer to be a dog. Thoughts of the animals come into my head</div> <div>    </div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="573" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 243 ><NOBR><div> As I sit on my duff, which sits on my bed…</div> <div> When suddenly this notion I couldn't seem to shake </div> <div> Slithering around the room, I thought I was a snake                 </div> <div>  Would I really like to be a rattler or a boa</div> <div> Feared by man and child alike, a slimy thing…oh, noa</div> <div> A big black bear asleep behind a tree</div> <div> Hibernating for months right there</div> <div> Doesn't sound like fun to me</div> <div> Constantly clucking like a chicken, full of eggs to lay</div> <div> My full belly would make me sicken</div> <div> So I'll have to say “nay, nay”</div> <div> Back to the beginning where I still can see the light</div> <div> My doggie's life's the best of all</div> <div> The one for which I'd fight!</div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><bR> <bR> <div> <I><B> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="250" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#000000" BORDERCOLORDARK="#000000" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 148 WIDTH="242"><div> <I><B>It's A Dog-Gone Good Life </B></I>is available from the publisher, Inkwell Productions, @ <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Verdana" ><U>www.inkwellproductions.com</U></FONT> or by calling 480-481-6036, and will eventually be in local bookstores.  Judy Slater is also available </div> <div> for book signings and can be reached at 480-860-0272. </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></I></div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Seward Park </B></div> <div> by Henry Baum</div> <bR> <div> <B>When I lived in New York I stayed in the same apartment for most of the ten years. It was a great apartment that looked over a park in lower Manhattan. Rare for such a little apartment to have a park view. Every once in a while I'd see this stray dog in the park. Once I saw her catch a rat in the ivy. "That dog crazy," said a local Chinese girl. </B></div> <div> <B>  </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The black dog was a fixture in the neighborhood. Squat, muscular, she looked more like a muskrat. I didn't see her for several years and I thought she had finally died or had been taken away. I didn't know how she could have lived through so many New York winters. One winter, I started seeing a lot more of her out my window--walking around, barking at nothing, people petting her, buying her a can of dog food. The next time I saw her was in the dead of winter--she was lying in the park, her leg was broken and bleeding and she was shivering in the snow.  I gave her some turkey which she ate quickly. I went back to my apartment and started crying. Something about a wounded animal can be more affecting to me than wounded people.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>  </B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="34e0abb0.jpg" border=0 width="266" height="187" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#505050" FACE="Verdana" ><B>I was thinking of taking her in, but then she disappeared again. I figured she had died for real and I felt terrible that I hadn't taken her in immediately. I was worried about the responsibility, the expense, if the dog could be diseased. A couple of days later I saw her in the park again with a bright red cast on her leg, as if she had been resurrected. A woman had taken her to the vet. She couldn't take the dog permanently and so I offered to take her. When I brought her back to my apartment, she screamed and howled and clawed at the window, trying to get back to the street that had almost killed her. </B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>Vets suck miserably. I took the dog to a vet who said, smiling, "Let's bring in Dr.____, she'll get a kick out of this." Could you imagine a doctor saying this about a wounded child? He then told me I should put her to sleep. She had a massive hematoma on her stomach which could burst at any moment, killing her. I decided to pay for surgery. When I picked her up after surgery, she screeched and howled in fear. "Is she OK?" someone asked in the elevator. "She's a stray," I answered, overwhelmed. She was shaved on her stomach where they had performed the operation, and her neck where they needed to monitor her heart. She looked bad and she was in pain from the operation. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>  </B></div> <div> <B>Pretty valiant of me, I like to admit. Carrying the dog up and down the stairs, giving her medication and vitamins. Taking her to her favorite place, Seward Park. I named her Sew (a dog named Sue) short for her home. Soon, people would be stopping on the street. Everyone knew her--she was a local celebrity. She had many names: homeless people called her Bell after the church bell at the church parking lot where she sometimes lived--the reason that I had been seeing more of her was that she had been displaced from her parking-lot home because they'd started erecting a luxury apartment building in the lot. Many people called her Blackie. Chinese restaurant owners called her Lily. Others called her Lady. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>  </B></div> <div> <B>I befriended some homeless people--a guy named Smiley, who had around four teeth and sold crap on the sidewalk. He said he owned her for four years. A lot of former drug addicts hung out in the park--a guy named Ito, like the O.J. judge, who told me Sew would chase away the rats when they slept in the park. A church worker told me that Sew would walk the nuns from the parking lot to the church doors, and back again, every day. A retired cop named Louie said he would always bring the leftovers of holiday meals to the parking lot. A Puerto Rican man told me about taking her in and giving her a bath every once in a while--he took care of her when I went on vacation.   An old gay jogger brought her beef hearts once a week which Sew would throw up soon after, but I didn't have the heart to tell him because it made him so happy. One woman told me she thought Sew had been a Buddha in a former life. They were all happy I'd finally given Sew a home. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>  </B></div> <div> <B>She was a very special dog. She had an incredible warmth and  serenity and she had lived a harder life than most people have ever known. She was probably around 17 when I took her in. I can't imagine the things she had been through. She's the only dog I've known who actually purred when you pet her. She had the greatest smile, and crazy gray hair all over her face, coming out of her ears, on her stomach, everywhere--she looked wise. </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>  </B></div> <div> <B>My girlfriend and I eventually moved south to Wilmington, NC and Sew was able to have a real retirement. Good weather, a porch, a backyard, and we took her to the local park which was a heaven compared to Seward Park. She had a good, warm last three years. My girlfriend got pregnant soon after we moved to Wilmington. We got married three months after our daughter was born, and that same weekend Sew began to die. Her legs gave out and she refused to eat. It was like she was waiting for me to find some stability of my own, and then she was done. We had her put to sleep, crying mightily. We went to her favorite park and had a ceremonial funeral, releasing the fur from her brush. A flock of geese flew by, squawking, and that felt very meaningful.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>I always had said that taking care of Sew was good practice if I ever had a child--joking, of course, because I never thought it would happen. "You're going to be blessed," many, many people told me when I walked her around Seward Park. Yeah, yeah, I thought. After my daughter was born--beautiful, smart, and healthy--I thought about all those well wishes in NY. </B></div> <div> <B>A very long entry, but Sew deserves it.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>This story was found on the following blog: http://hbaum.blogspot.com/2005/01/seward-park.html</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="34b82860.jpg" border=0 width="130" height="134" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>Preventing Dog Bites </B></FONT></div> <div> reprinted from The  Humane Society of the United States</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <U>Q: Is there any way I can "bite-proof" my dog?</U></div> <div> A: There is no way to guarantee that your dog will never bite someone. But you can significantly reduce the risk. Here's how:</div> <div>      <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Wingdings" >l</FONT>Spay or neuter your dog. This important and routine</div> <div>         procedure will reduce your dog's desire to roam and</div> <div>         fight with other dogs, making safe confinement an</div> <div>        easier task. Spayed or neutered dogs are much less</div> <div>        likely to bite.</div> <div>      <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Wingdings" >l</FONT> Socialize your dog. Introduce your dog to many</div> <div>          different types of people and situations so that he or</div> <div>          she is not nervous or frightened under normal social</div> <div>          circumstances.</div> <div>      <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Wingdings" >l</FONT> Train your dog. Accompanying your dog to a training</div> <div>          class is an excellent way to socialize him and to</div> <div>          learn proper training techniques. Training your dog</div> <div>          is a family matter. Every member of your household</div> <div>          should learn the training techniques and participate</div> <div>          in your dog's education. Never send your dog away to be trained; only you</div> <div>          can teach your dog how to behave in your home. Note that training </div> <div>          classes are a great investment even for experienced dog caregivers.</div> <div>      <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Wingdings" >l</FONT> Teach your dog appropriate behavior. Don't teach your dog to chase</div> <div>          after or attack others, even in fun. Your dog can't always understand the</div> <div>          difference between play and real-life situations. Set appropriate limits</div> <div>          for your dog's behavior. Don't wait for an accident. The first time he</div> <div>          exhibits dangerous behavior toward any person, seek professional help</div> <div>          from your veterinarian, an animal behaviorist, or a qualified dog trainer.</div> <div>          Your community animal care and control agency or humane society may</div> <div>          also offer helpful services. Dangerous behavior toward other animals</div> <div>          may eventually lead to dangerous behavior toward people, and is also</div> <div>          a reason to seek professional help.</div> <div>      <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Wingdings" >l</FONT> Be a responsible dog owner. License your dog as required by law,</div> <div>          and provide regular veterinary care, including rabies vaccinations. For</div> <div>          everyone's safety, don't allow your dog to roam alone. Make your dog a</div> <div>          member of your family:  Dogs who spend a great deal of time alone in</div> <div>          the backyard or tied on a chain often become dangerous. Dogs who</div> <div>          are well-socialized and supervised are much less likely to bite.</div> <div>      <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Wingdings" >l</FONT> Err on the safe side. If you don't know how your dog will react to a new</div> <div>          situation, be cautious. If your dog may panic in crowds, leave him at</div> <div>          home. If your dog overreacts to visitors or delivery or service personnel,</div> <div>          keep him in another room. Work with professionals to help your dog</div> <div>          become accustomed to these and other situations. Until you are</div> <div>          confident of his behavior, however,  avoid stressful settings.</div> <div> <U>Q: What should I do if my dog bites someone?</U></div> <div> A: If your dog bites someone, act responsibly by taking these steps:</div> <div>      <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Wingdings" >l</FONT>Confine your dog immediately and check on the victim's condition. If</div> <div>         necessary, seek medical help. Provide the victim with important</div> <div>         information, such as the date of your dog's last rabies vaccination. </div> <div>        Cooperate with the animal  control official responsible for acquiring</div> <div>         information about your dog. If your dog must be quarantined for any</div> <div>         length of time, ask whether he may be confined within your home or at</div> <div>         your veterinarian's hospital. Strictly follow quarantine  requirements for</div> <div>         your dog.</div> <div>      <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Wingdings" >l</FONT>Seek professional help to prevent your dog from biting again. Consult</div> <div>         with your veterinarian, who may refer you to an animal behaviorist or a</div> <div>         dog trainer. Your community animal care and control agency or humane</div> <div>         society may also offer helpful services.</div> <bR> <div> If your dog's dangerous behavior cannot be controlled, do not give him to someone else without carefully evaluating that person's ability to protect him and prevent him from biting. Because you know your dog is dangerous, you may be held liable for any damage he does even when he is given to someone else. Don't give your dog to someone who wants a dangerous dog. "Mean" dogs are often forced to live miserable, isolated lives, and become even more likely to attack someone in the future. If you must give up your dog due to dangerous behavior, consult with your veterinarian and with your local animal care and control agency or humane society about your options</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="2f6ea9c0.png" border=0 width="234" height="156" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bookman Old Style" ><B>Reporting Animal</B></FONT></div> <div> <B>  Cruelty in Your</B></div> <div> <B>  Community </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bookman Old Style" >By Cynthia</FONT></div> <div>    Taylor, Animal Defense</div> <div>    League of Arizona</div> <bR> <div>    <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bookman Old Style" >One of the most</FONT></div> <div>   common inquiries we</div> <div>   get at the Animal</div> <div>   Defense League of Arizona (ADLA) is how to report animal cruelty. Advocacy groups like ADLA and sometimes even local humane societies do not have the legal authority to respond to or investigate cruelty complaints, so it is important to call the appropriate agencies.</div> <bR> <div> Whom should you call?  In most areas, the local police or sheriff's Departments and animal control agencies handle animal cruelty complaints that involve domestic companion animals. Each community handles animal cruelty reporting differently, so you may be asked to make several calls.  Always ask for a case number and the name of the person to whom you made the report so you can follow up to find out if an officer responded and what action was taken.</div> <bR> <div> If the situation is an emergency, or if a crime is in progress, dial<B> 9-1-1</B>. For all other reports, you can call the law enforcement and animal control non-emergency numbers. If you wish to make an anonymous report and you do not need immediate assistance, consider calling<B> 88-CRIME</B> or the Animal Cruelty Task Force of Southern Arizona's public reporting line at <B>(520) 547-0260</B>. Since the Maricopa County Animal Care & Control does not handle cruelty complaints, reports may be made to the Arizona ASPCA  24-Hour Cruelty Hotline at <B>(602) 246-8280 </B>or the Sheriff's Department Animal Cruelty Hotline at <B>(602) 256-1681</B>.</div> <bR> <div> Reporting suspected cruelty to livestock and wildlife may entail contacting the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service or the Arizona Game & Fish Department. For more information about who to call in your locale, visit <B><U>www.adlaz.org</U></B><B> </B>and click on the regional FAQs for your area.</div> <bR> <div> Why is reporting animal cruelty important? Some people do not want to report animal cruelty because they do not realize that the action is a crime or they are afraid to report cruelty committed by a friend or neighbor. Aside from the obvious fact that making a report may help an animal at risk, reporting animal cruelty also (1) alerts law enforcement agencies to crimes that may otherwise go uninvestigated, (2) documents a pattern of behavior for repeat offenders, and (3) possibly prevents future violence to animals and to people. Studies have shown strong links between animal cruelty and domestic violence, child abuse and violent crimes.</div> <bR> <div> What constitutes animal cruelty? Dog fighting and cockfighting are illegal in Arizona, as well as killing or harming someone else's animal. Animal cruelty also can include actions such as failing to provide necessary food, water, shelter or medical attention and leaving an animal unattended and confined in a vehicle. These laws apply to mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Local communities may have additional ordinances. </div> <bR> <div> For more information about the animal-related laws in Arizona, visit <B><U>www.adlaz.org</U></B> and click on the animal law FAQs.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2cdb9870.png" border=0 width="185" height="135" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Abadi MT Condensed" ><B>Love Conquers All </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Abadi MT Condensed" ><B>  </B></FONT></div> <div>     by Dave & Sonia<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >   </FONT></div> <bR> <div>    <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >Another mouth to feed or another source of dog kisses. More to clean up in the backyard or another cuddlier in bed. More vet bills or the joy of seeing another animal enjoy the simple wonders of life and prove that love can be shared between humans and animals. These are some of the thoughts that raced through my practical and yes conservative mind as I drove home from work with my wife Sonia's words ringing in my ears “Dave, I found a dog while hiking in the mountains.” </FONT></div> <bR> <div> With five rescue animals that share our home I thought what we lovingly refer to as our zoo, had reached its limits. With 3 rescue cats already residing in our home, our first canine addition was discovered while I was out of state on business. I returned home and had just dropped my suit case when Sonia announced “I bought a dog.” I was dumb founded as it seemed as if there were cats everywhere. I looked around and replied where is it? She then said the words most husbands dread…”sit down we need to talk.” Mary, a beautiful, two year old golden retriever/chow mix, had been found with shotgun wounds to her back, running the streets and was picked up by rabies control. Two ladies from a no kill shelter had found her twenty minutes from being euthanized. I will never forget seeing my sweet Mary for the first time. It was at the shelter and she was quarantined in a room. She had  no fur on her back, tubes were everywhere and she had not been bathed in quite a while due to her injuries. I sat down next to her and rubbed her thigh and said “hi girl.” She laid her tired head on my leg and looked up at me with those soft brown eyes. It was love at first sight. When we brought her home she had to wear one of those large cones around her neck to keep from chewing out the stitches. As she lumbered around the house, cone banging and crashing into everything, cats fleeing in terror, I knew our peaceful house would never be the same. The first week we discovered she had pneumonia. I remember her coughing the whole night. Our vet quickly cured her with antibiotics and I think it was then Mary knew she had a loving and caring home. Two years later Sonia kept bringing up getting another dog. A companion for Mary. I knew the excuses she would make to get me into the pet stores on weekends were designed to expose me to the cute puppies and adult dogs that were homeless. I held my ground…until I found Mr. Frank. It was a hot August day and this lost black lab was wandering on the freeway. He would not have survived the day or perhaps even another hour. I stopped my truck, whistled and he came running, jumping right into the cab. He stared straight ahead with a look of let's go! I called Sonia and told her I was bringing a dog home. Complete disbelief was her response. “I am not kidding, I will be home in an hour with a dog” I replied. Frank lay right next to me during the ride home, an exhausted poor creature and I remember saying “its OK boy, you are going to love your new mom and home. Sonia was waiting on the front yard with Mary as I drove up. It was obvious the minute he entered our home that Frank had been abused and neglected. The first night in our home he went for Sonia three times (unsuccessfully) and when I said “NO” he rolled over and urinated on himself. How can people be so cruel to such wonderful creatures? That night, when we retired to bed, Frank flew up on the bed and wormed his way right up against me and closed his tired eyes to sleep. Frank, after we trained him not to chase the cats or Sonia, has become a true love bucket and guards our house with purpose. He starts each day with puppy enthusiasm based on the security that comes with living in a loving, safe home. The latest addition was Audrey, found lost in the desert by Sonia on one of her hiking trips with Frank and Mary. She is a beautiful Chesapeake Bay retriever. At 6 months old she was already 55 pounds and full of energy and playfulness. Audrey the Terrible, which I quickly began calling her after she chewed all our television cable connections the first night after her rescue, is very afraid of me. I have no doubt she had an abusive male owner and the sight of me must bring back terrible memories. With Sonia she is all love, playfulness and giver of endless dog kisses. I have seen the effect love had on our other 5 animals and am committed to forming a loving relationship with this beautiful creature. When it happens it will confirm my belief, learned first hand from our other animals, that love does conquer all. We all live in a world where there can be cruelty, hate, violence and mistrust. </div> <bR> <div> Our home is a refuge from those harsh realities for the animals, Sonia and I. To me, this is a reminder not to give in to the argument that the world is nothing but a cruel, unforgiving place. We believe that you get what you invest and give and it returns in the most wonderful ways. By giving of yourself your reward returns tenfold. It is always a joy to watch each animal enjoy such simple pleasures: a cat napping in a ray of sunlight, a dog chewing on a bone, going for a walk, receiving a rub on the head, and the tail wagging when seeing its owner come through the front door. How often do we give other people the attention, love, concern and acts of kindness we give our pets? For Sonia and I who rescued whom? Perhaps the solution to many of the world's ills can be addressed by returning to the basics that our precious pets teach us everyday…..  love conquers all!</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="2cac29e0.jpg" border=0 width="194" height="158" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>VINNY THE PUG</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div>   I<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" >n the summer of 2001 Vinny made an unsuccessful</FONT></div> <div>   attempt to climb atop a large boulder in Scottsdale,</div> <div>   Arizona.The next day he returned and triumphantly</div> <div>   mounted that boulder, thus marking the start of his two</div> <div>   and ½ year Quest to set a new “Guinness World Record”. Vinny had only moved Arizona one month earlier from his birth city of Orlando where there were no rocks like those he found in Phoenix.  Within a short time after conquering his first bolder, he knew exactly what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.  Vinny wanted to become the world's greatest canine rock climber.  He immediately set out on a journey to claim his new title.</div> <bR> <div> Very early, Vinny exhibited an amazing attraction to boulders and an eagerness to climb that is seldom seen among canine.  Throughout the following weeks, he worked hard to develop safe and effective ways to approach, mount and maintain his balance while climbing.  He explored different seated and standing positions for himself once he'd climbed a rock.  Early on it was clearly evident that Vinny was what you'd call a natural at climbing.  Even without being directed, he'd quickly choose the best positions to support him-self based on the composition of the rocks he'd climbed.  One particular boulder was slanted at a funny angle near its top.  To maintain his balance on it, Vinny leaned into the opposite direction of the curve to compensate for its shape leaving him setting perfectly straight.  In August of 2001, Vinny started a “Hundred Day, Thousand Photo” challenge.  Its' purpose was to see if he could record 1,000 pictures of himself atop boulders he'd conquered within a hundred days.  At the end of his challenge, Vinny's image library contained over 1,300 pictures.  Inspired by the ease of surpassing his challenge, Vinny decided to convert it into a marathon for a new “Guinness World's Record”.</div> <bR> <div> Throughout the first two years of his marathon, Vinny experienced several milestones.  He was featured in “Climbing” and “Sweat” magazines and even received calls from “The Jay Leno Show” and “National Public Radio”.  He was also featured on the front page of “Scottsdale Views” magazine.  It was the action photo showing Vinny </div> <div> climbing a steep angled boulder with a top resembling an inverted knife-edge. After an amazing twenty-five months of climbing, posing and being photographed atop boulders, Vinny had amassed a library of over 5,000 pictures.  He then submitted documentation to “Guinness World Records” for review.  A short time later, Vinny received a form letter from a researcher stating that his world record attempt would not be reviewed nor recognized by “Guinness”.</div> <bR> <div> For a week or so Vinny experienced a severe bout of depression and started to </div> <div> question if it was all worth it.  Disappointed yet undeterred, Vinny came to realize he didn't need “Guinness World Records” or any other governing body to validate what he had accomplished.  What's more, he decided to go forth with his climbing marathon.</div> <div>   Vinny has evolved and moved on to an open ended climbing quest.  His objective is to set an unbreakable climbing record.  He has even launched a photo “Pugblog” where pictures from his image library are posted every day.</div> <bR> <div> Seeking new avenues  for his energies, Vinny has turned his attention to the issue of </div> <div> Fundraising for Pet Rescue & Adoptions.  He and his human have created “Vinny the Pug Enterprises” for the purposes of helping animal welfare groups raise the money they need.  You can expect to hear a lot about Vinny as he is committed to </div> <div> playing an important role in the struggle to raise funding to help end Pet Euthanasia as a form of population control. At some point in his pursuit of a record”, Vinny earned worldwide recognition in over seven foreign countries.  Today he is known around the world as “Vinny the Pug”. As for climbing, Vinny's image library continues to grow and his unofficial world record isn't ever expected to be broken.          </div> <bR> <div> Allen Kimble, Jr, Trainer, </div> <div> Photographer, Biographer & Publicist to “VinnythePug”,vinnythepug@</div> <div> yahoo.com480-668-3646.  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>REZ DOGS </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >by Jano Olson</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="2b9de9b0.jpg" border=0 width="222" height="155" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >I</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >t all begin innocently enough. A small, starving girl pup that had been dumped at the local gas station needed rescuing. So I did. Named her Missy. She was fortunate enough to find a great forever home right away. With a former dog foster care person in Flagstaff. And the was the beginning of a five year rescue attempt that resulted in the rescue of over 425 animals from the Chinle/Many Farms area located in the northeastern corner of Arizona-the Navajo reservation. The stories border on the horrible: a white German Shepard pup shot through the spine and paralyzed; to the miraculous: a tiny six week old lab pup left in a puddle, in the middle of winter, frozen solid and thawed back to life: to the humorous: a curious cat brave enough to face three giant dogs to get to safety. All of the animals have stories, some don't get told.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> I have worked with a number of individuals while involved in the hands-on rescue of the critters. At times we would find ourselves inundated with so many dogs and cats that it would be impossible to move about our homes. Most of the animals came to us with one or more diseases. Almost all of them had some degree of mange. Puppies that appeared healthy would turn in the blink of an eye to become one on the verge of death from parvovirus or distemper. Their temperament would come into question having had rocks, bottles, various other sundry items thrown at them. Gunshots fired over their heads, or at them, missing vital organs. Many feared human contact. Fearful of a blow from just being alive and in the wrong place. Dumped in gas stations and grocery store parking lots. Anywhere people gathered who might be willing to pick up a starving waif.</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >I moved to the Reservation to work as a science teacher in 1999. As a non-Navajo I was appalled by the conditions that many animals were subjected to. During my last year in Chinle, my students and I formed a club to help save some of the stray critters, the SOS Fundraising club to raise money to help offset the cost of spaying and neutering the strays. The club is still working this year, only under a different sponsor. The kids hold fundraisers during the school year and donate the money to shelters that come to work on the rez. We, the rescuers, have banded together to form a shelter where foster people can take their rescues. A place where the dogs and cats will receive proper nutrition, vet care and love.  We have named this haven Canyon Castaways Sanctuary, to reflect the origin of these many beasts that need human intervention. We are in our fledging stage, trying to raise money to obtain our non-profit status. Once that has been crossed we will be raising money to build our shelter in Pinon, a bit west of Chinle.  If anyone would be interested in helping with fundraising, fostering or donating to our cause please contact Jano at </FONT><A HREF="mailto:joefoto54@yahoo.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:joefoto54@yahoo.com"><B>joefoto54@yahoo.com</B></A><B> </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >or (480) 633-5944.</FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Goodbye, Old Friend By Ronnie Bray</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2beefb30.jpg" border=0 width="239" height="179" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">  When we lived in Montana, we</div> <div>    adopted an older dog, Zap, a</div> <div>    Border Collie-Newfoundland cross</div> <div>    breed who was once a young man's</div> <div>    faithful companion, who had been</div> <div>    demoted to solitary barn dog. We</div> <div>    renamed him Shep and discovered</div> <div>    his gentle and loving ways.  He</div> <div>    found a permanent place in our</div> <div>    hearts.  We adopted little Frankie</div> <div> two months later to be his companion.</div> <bR> <div> Shep was arthritic and his back legs were weak.  The first time he collapsed, he sat bemused, then turned his head to plead for help with his sad eyes. We shared our Celebrex with him.  Within the hour, he was trotting through the forest like a galleon in full sail.  For over a year the Celebrex kept him going.  He loved to wander through the forest in summer sunshine and in winter's snows.</div> <bR> <div> Eventually, his bounce disappeared.  When he chased Frankie on her squirrel runs, he no longer galloped, only trotted, and, later, he walked. When his medication no longer helped, we knew he was getting near the end and that we must prepare to part with our friend.  We would not let him suffer to satisfy our needs, so we gave him his peace, which was distressing but unavoidable. After repeated collapses, we knew his time had come and that we must let him go to rest.  I dug his grave forty feet from our door at the top of the slope.  He sat by me as I dug it.  Then, we lay down in the grass together and my heart broke as I stroked him and cried.  Frankie came over and sat beside us making the moment even more poignant.</div> <bR> <div> We laid Shep on the rear seat and drove him to the vet's. He slipped the needle into Shep's foreleg.  He showed no sign of discomfort, and his going was gentle.  He fell asleep in three seconds. I held his head to reassure him.  He closed his eyes, then, dropping his majestic head, he was at peace. We drove him home and laid him to rest, marking the spot with a cross where he now sleeps at the edge of the woods that were his playground.</div> <bR> <div> Words can not express the love we had for the old gentleman and his wonderful doggie ways that blessed and enriched our lives, and we are honored to have had him in our family. We have not said "Goodbye" to our old friend: we have only said "Farewell for a season," before we see his tail wagging again when we arrive where he</div> <div> waits for us in his new home.</div> <bR> <div> Copyright © Ronnie Bray 2004 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="mailto:rbray7@cox.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:rbray7@cox.net"><U>rbray7@cox.net</U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Foster Care Helps Save More Animals</B></div> <div> by Cynthia Taylor, Center for Animal Rescue & Adoption</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2887f910.jpg" border=0 width="127" height="145" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Goldie was on the street. There's no way of knowing how the yellow lab mix ended up there, but luckily she took a pit stop at the right house. The college student who found Goldie took her in and, after an unsuccessful search to find an owner, agreed to provide foster care for her until an adoptive home could be found.</div> <bR> <div> What is a foster home? A foster home for dogs is much like a foster home for children. It is a temporary home until a permanent home is found. Foster care volunteers are committed to providing animals with shelter, food, care, a safe environment, social interaction and love. In many cases, foster care also serves as a treatment or rehabilitation process for animals that are not yet ready to be adopted because they have behavioral or medical needs that have to be addressed first. Foster care can play a huge role in reducing the number of animals that die every year in Arizona shelters and on the streets. Simply put, the more foster homes that are available, the more animals that can be saved.</div> <bR> <div> For traditional shelters, foster care is used primarily to provide individualized attention for animals that are not immediately adoptable (too young, too old, injured or ill, behavioral issues). These animals are at the highest risk of being euthanized, because shelters do not have the capabilities to deal with special needs animals on site. However, once treatment and/or rehabilitation have been completed in foster care, the animals can return to the shelter ready to be adopted.</div> <bR> <div> For rescue groups that do not have shelter facilities, foster homes are the core of their operations, not only for adoption readiness, but also for housing animals during the adoption process.  </div> <bR> <div> In an ideal foster home, a homeless pet is taken in and treated very much like you treat your own pet. Having the pet in your home will give the pet stability, mental stimulation, house manners and, most of all, human contact. By being in foster care, pets are better adjusted to a home life environment, which will make the transition into their adoptive home easier. Foster parents also are valuable because they help identify the personality and preferences of each individual animal. Do they like other dogs? Cats? Kids? This is priceless information when you are trying to match a pet with its </div> <div> forever home.</div> <bR> <div> Foster care is a program for compassionate people who want to open their hearts and homes to homeless animals in need. Anyone willing to make the commitment to directly save a life can be an ideal foster parent. If you're considering adopting a dog, fostering can help you determine if your lifestyle is suitable to a new canine addition without making a long-term commitment.</div> <bR> <div> In addition to in-home care, foster care providers may be asked to help transport animals to vet appointments or adoption events. Some foster animals have special needs, such as orphans needing to be bottle-fed, sick and injured animals needing medication, or shy and withdrawn animals needing some socialization. Many homeless animals need help learning good manners, including house breaking, how to walk on a leash and other basic training.</div> <bR> <div> One “occupational hazard” that arises is getting too attached to the foster animal and not wanting to let go when the time comes for adoption. Foster care providers must be prepared for these issues. Agencies that place an animal in foster care will try to assess your interests and abilities as well as the needs of the animal, and they should provide fosters with ongoing support and advice.</div> <bR> <div> Being a foster parent can provide you with a feeling of satisfaction, knowing that you've directly saved a life by donating your time to help an animal get a second chance. In return for opening your home and offering your love, your reward is a warm lap, a wagging tail and the knowledge that you helped save a life. Your decision to foster could be the difference between life and death for a homeless animal, if you are willing to take on the rewarding challenge of being a foster parent.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.savemoreanimals.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.savemoreanimals.org">www.savemoreanimals.org</A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="2a0afa90.jpg" border=0 width="175" height="169" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Second Chance Dogs Graduate and Begin Service Work</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >by Kay Mikel</FONT></div> <bR> <div> “Gayle, if I had a tail, it would be wagging right now.” Trainer Jay Smith's praise of Gayle Wood's hard work captured the mood on June 30, 2004-the first graduation day for the Second Chance Prison Canine Program. The Fabulous Five-unwanted shelter dogs trained by inmate handlers-were recognized for their achievements and four of them (Chance, Buddy, Loki, and Dash) embarked on their second chance at life as working service dogs for people with physical disabilities. Not every dog has the drive to be a working dog. Even though Sam learned all of his service dog tasks and graduated with his group, he is a bit of a hound and forgets he has a job to do when his nose finds something new in the air. We are committed to finding the right home for each of our dogs, and Sam became a 'paroled pet.' He is now settled in the Phoenix area with his new family, who asked us what happens to dogs that don't go into service. </div> <bR> <div> Warden Frank Luna stated, “I have seen changes in the prisoner handlers throughout the last ten months, and I want to thank all the people who have come in. This has been a pretty exciting last ten months.” He explained that typically “inmates see two kinds of dogs: drug dogs and cell extraction dogs. And you don't pet those dogs!” So training service dogs is a completely new and different experience for inmates. Warden Luna then talked about expansion of our program: “The new group includes eight dogs and two cats, with eight new inmate handlers.</div> <bR> <div> The inmate handlers have given the dogs the skills they need to succeed, and now their new handlers will begin learning how a service dog can make a difference in their lives. As Kathy Wechsler (recipient of Chance) said on graduation day: “I think the program is great for everyone involved-especially me! Chance is so well trained. I hope I can live up to the standard of his training.”  To learn more about the Second Chance Prison Canine Program, visit our website www.secondchanceprisoncanine.org or sign up to receive our first ever Fall 2004 newsletter. (Send your name, full address, and email address to kmikel@mindspring.com and be sure to put 2nd Chance on the subject line.)</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29cc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="273889a0.jpg" border=0 width="136" height="154" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">ADVOCACY COLUMN</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> contributed by Kim Noetzel, Arizona Humane Society </div> <bR> <div> Animal cruelty is a horrific and very common occurrence in our community.  On average, the Arizona Humane Society responds to more than 5,200 animal-cruelty calls annually.  “Our animal-cruelty calls comprise about one-third of our call volume,” said Frank Corvino, AHS Manager of Field Operations.  “Sadly, there are many more cases that go unreported.”</div> <bR> <div> With the establishment of the Arizona Humane  Society's Emergency Animal Medical Technician Program (EAMT™) in 2002, reporting cruelty is easier than ever.  Simply call the Arizona Humane Society at (602) 997-7585.  The AHS will dispatch an Emergency Animal Medical Technician to provide the animal victim(s) with immediate veterinary care on site.  Plus - AHS EAMTs are specially trained to work with law enforcement agencies in the investigation of animal-cruelty cases, and they often serve as expert witnesses during criminal proceedings.  Simply put, EAMTs are part “pet  paramedic” and part crime-scene investigator.</div> <bR> <div> In addition to establishment of the EAMT program, AHS animal-cruelty investigation efforts have gained serious muscle in other ways.  The cities of Phoenix and Scottsdale passed ordinances which specify the AHS as the animal-welfare agency for their police officers to call for investigation assistance; to ensure that victims get emergency care; and to take victims into protective custody pending possible criminal cases.</div> <bR> <div> The AHS has also entered into an agreement with Silent Witness to nab suspected animal abusers.  Anyone with information about an unsolved animal-cruelty case should call 480-WITNESS.  Callers could be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000 if their tip leads to arrest or indictment.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="29dc2040.png" border=0 width="450" height="4" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Hard Choices from A Caring Heart</B></div> <div> by Ken White, The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="253d5bb0.jpg" border=0 width="213" height="187" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">    I am asked, frequently, to answer a question that </div> <div>      has no answer: When is it the right time to end</div> <div>      the life of a loved animal, a friend in trouble? It's </div> <div>      a lousy question. I guess it's just part of the job.</div> <bR> <div>      I first faced this question with Hamish, the much-</div> <div>      loved dog of my roommate, twenty-plus years</div> <div>      ago. As is so often the story, he went from an</div> <div>      amazingly happy, goofy pal to an old friend in</div> <div>      obvious pain in what seemed like moments. </div> <bR> <div> Suffering from cancer, he got to the point where every motion was labored, the nights endless bouts of restlessness. Still, he continued to smile when he heard his name, and to sigh with that wonderful full body sigh when he was held.</div> <bR> <div> It was not my decision to make, to end Hamish's suffering by ending his life, but I don't think I would have been any better at it than was my roommate. Every time it became clear that he was suffering, one more procedure was suggested, another treatment option looked worth trying, a good hour seemed to erase a day's discomfort. We loved him, like each of you now reading these words loves somebody sniffing your feet or rubbing your elbows. The nightmare of his illness, although only weeks long, was an eternity.</div> <bR> <div> Finally it was clear that Hamish didn't just hurt, he was in real pain. There was no relief available. No more drugs, no miracles, no happiness left. Finally, it was clear that we had waited too long.</div> <bR> <div> I went out and bought him a pepperoni pizza, extra cheese, and fed him by hand, his head on our laps, his smile reminding us of who he had been, the Hamish of before. On our way to the doctor we stopped at the beach, Hamish's favorite place. Unable to stand on his own, I ran with him in my arms: we chased some waves, splashed a bit in the surf, and then sat for awhile, this wonderful dog and a few of us who had been lucky enough to know him, sitting together, quietly on the sand. Each of us, including Hamish I think, knew what was next.</div> <bR> <div> The veterinarian gently injected a vein on his right front leg. We held him as he went. Surprisingly, his dying was without drum roll, without thunder. His death was peaceful. As we watched him and cried, it was clear that we had waited too long.</div> <bR> <div> I know little more today about the best “how” and “when” to decide to </div> <div> humanely end the life of someone we love. I do know that, in all sorts of ways, it is a gift we are responsible for giving to the animals who give us so much, and that avoiding the decision - as understandable as that is - is selfish. I also know that there is probably never a right time, and that each time I've made the choice I've wrestled afterwards with “did I wait too long” or “did I act too soon.”   </div> <bR> <div> The decision has to be made with the animal in mind; that is, we should have been thinking more about Hamish and less about how much we would miss him, how much his absence would hurt. Knowing that he wasn't the kind of guy to hold a grudge, I stopped feeling guilty. Mostly, then as now, I feel happy to have been with him. I remember Hamish as he lived much more than how he died. And I know that everyone loved lives forever, </div> <div> perhaps in a literal way, and surely in the hearts of those who love them.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Ken White is president of the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA and is located at 12 Airport Boulevard, San Mateo CA 94401</B></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>All About Animal Control</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bookman Old Style" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <div> by Linda Soto</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="182" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 222 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="24bb0b20.jpg" border=0 width="176" height="178" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Robbie, one of many dogs</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>looking for a home.</B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> The Pima Animal Control Center in Tucson was built in 1965. Like most rabies control departments of that time, the main function of Pima Animal Control was to catch strays, house them for a minimal amount of time, then destroy them. Adoptions were rare, as were owner claims. Most animals that came into the facility did not leave alive.</div> <bR> <div> I started in 1993 as an Animal Care Technician, receiving, cleaning, treating, feeding, and loving the 17,000 or so animals that came through the shelter each year. Animal Care Techs are talented, dedicated people, able to recognize signs  of illness and injuries, administer veterinary- prescribed treatments, deal with a sometimes uncaring public while remaining polite, and ultimately, euthanize animals humanely and compassionately when there is no other option for them. </div> <bR> <div> In the '90s, friendly, healthy animals were put up for adoption, but had only five or six days on adoption row. There was no such thing as "rescue". Countless adoptable animals were put to sleep because there was no room and no home for them. <I>The number one reason animals were surrendered was, and still is, "I'm moving". Other common reasons included "got too big", "digs", "chews", "barks", "not enough time", "spraying" or "lifting leg", and "can't keep in the yard".  </I>Although most of these problems are easily solved with obedience training or a little bit of forethought (as in <I>"got too big" or "I'm moving"), </I>most people have already made up their minds prior to arriving at the shelter and are not willing to reconsider or accept any advice.  </div> <div>   After two years as a Tech,  I wanted to try to make a difference for the animals BEFORE they got to the Center.   I became a Field Officer, driving a dog truck for 8 hours a day, enforcing everything from leash and licensing laws to cruelty and neglect laws.  I later moved up to a Field Investigator position. Investigators focus on higher priority issues such as dangerous dogs, animalwelfare, and cruelty cases. Although I enjoyed the excitement of fieldwork and the physical challenges (try running half a mile through a sandy wash after tranquilizing a Rottweiler and then having to carry him back, asleep, in August!), I still found myself in the kennels before or after work , visiting the animals. </div> <bR> <div> I knew I was ready to go back to the shelter two years ago when the incumbent Shelter Supervisor retired. I was lucky  to qualify for the position and then the fun began! Although sometimes I feel either that there are not enough hours in the day or that the day will never end, it has been a rewarding position. I've learned that communication is, by far, the most important tool I have. By talking with customers, I learn what changes are needed to make our operations more successful. By networking with other animal groups in our community, resources are shared, ideas are generated, partnerships are established, and we all take a step closer to ending pet overpopulation. In addition to having the friendship and support of many individuals in our animal welfare community, I am lucky to have a husband who works as a Field Investigator and understands the stress our chosen careers can cause. </div> <bR> <div> The Center has evolved a great deal in 39 years. Many positive changes have been made in the 10-plus years I have worked here.  In 2003, our facility was renamed the Pima Animal Care Center to reflect our changing role in the community. We currently provide licensing, adoption, and quarantine services to all of Pima County. We house strays and attempt to reunite them with their owners. Our stray animals are shown online at <U>FOUND!</U> and our adoptable animals are featured on Petfinder.com. Although we still must euthanize thousands of  animals each year, we no longer put down adoptable animals! Staff made a commitment in December of 2002 to end the euthanasia of healthy, friendly animals, and although it has been difficult, we have met that goal.  We have contracts with seven different rescue groups that help us save lives by taking animals from the shelter that are sick, injured, too young, too old, or just plain unadopted.</div> <bR> <div> If you're in Tucson, feel free to stop by and see how we've grown! You never know, you may find a new four-footed "forever friend". If you are looking for a new pet PLEASE adopt! <B>When you adopt a shelter animal, you are truly saving a life!</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Pima Animal Care Center</div> <div> 4000 N Silverbell Rd</div> <div> 520-743-7550 x 230 lsoto@pimahealth.org</div> <div> www.pimaanimalcare.org</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>“Cody is My Sister's Dog" </B></div> <div> by Stacy Mantle</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="225d8a20.jpg" border=0 width="216" height="162" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">My dog hates me." My younger sister says, opening the door to her apartment. I enter, looking around for the puppy.  Moments earlier, Meggin had summoned me to her apartment, convinced that her new puppy was dying from some incurable disease. "She was dying an hour ago." I reply sarcastically. "Besides, puppies are incapable of hate. Where is she?"  Meggin motioned under the desk, and sure enough I could see a small black bundle of fur curled underneath. "See?" Meggin asked, shaking her head. "She hates me. She hates being here."</div> <bR> <div> I call the small puppy to me, and at first she hesitates, then stands up, stretches, then finally bounds towards me. "She doesn't hate you, Meg. She's just tired." "She can't be tired. She hasn't done anything all day. The only thing we did was go for a walk. And Jenny came over for awhile. Then Aaron called, and he came by. And Sam came by for a few minutes." I shook my head in wonderment. "And they all played with her, right?" She nodded. "That's why she's tired, Meg. That's a lot of stress for a little dog. She's only eight weeks old. At that age, the only things they want to do is sleep, eat, and poop - in that order." Picking up the squirming mass of fur, I look her over closely before setting her back down on the floor where she runs back to her safe spot under the desk and resumes her previous position.   "She'll be fine. Just let her sleep and don't maul to her death."</div> <bR> <div> Meggin hung her head, looking somewhat disappointed with my diagnosis. "Are you sure she's not sick and she doesn't hate me?" I nodded and opened the door. "I'm sure. Just let her be a puppy. They're like babies -  they need a lot of sleep and a lot of patience.  I have to go, but call me if you need anything."The call came sooner than I expected, less than an hour after I left her. Puppyhood was obviously more traumatic for Meggin than it was for the puppy. My sister's voice was shaky although it was obvious that she was trying to remain calm. "Stacy, what happens if a puppy plays in broken glass?" "What happens is you have a problem!" I replied in disbelief. "How did she get into glass!?" "Well, I have a picture frame that broke last month, and I was keeping it so I could glue it back together." </div> <bR> <div> Yeah, I thought. Because that is what any normal, well-adjusted human being would do. But, I kept my thoughts to myself this time. "She climbed up on the bookshelf! I didn't think that there was any way that they could climb up that high." Her voice was beginning to rise, hitting that nervous tone that soon only her dog would be able to hear. "When I found her, she was walking on the glass.""I told you to puppy-proof everything, Meggin." "I did!" She protested. "But I didn't think that puppies could climb walls!" </div> <bR> <div> Puppy strength, I thought. People underestimate the little creatures. "All right, just calm down. If she's not bleeding, I'm sure she's fine. But, check her paws really well. She might have glass in them. If she does, she'll try to chew it out and then you'll have a big problem. "I pause as I hear her stop to yell at the puppy that is has apparently forgotten the broken glass and had begun eating the new carpet of her apartment. "She's eating the carpet! Oh my God! Stop it, Cody!" and then again to me, "How long is this going to go on?! She has been eating everything! It's like she's possessed! She ate the wallpaper, the coffee table, my clothes, my shoes, every piece of paper she can find - how long will this go on?"   I thought about it for a moment and decide that a lie would be best at this moment. "Two months." I say as confidently as I can. The truth would have driven her into a major depression. "Just hang in there for two months. Then she'll have finished teething and she won't chew any more." "Two months?” She asks, a glimmer of hope reflected now in her voice. "Sure." I reply, crossing my fingers. "Two months tops." "O.K." She says. "I guess I can do two months."</div> <bR> <div> "It's not a prison term, Meggin. It's a puppy. Enjoy these days! Before long, she'll be grown up and you'll be wishing she were a puppy again." "I don't think I would wish that on my worst enemy." She replies, and I hear her yell at the puppy to stop gnawing on the couch. "I have to go. I'll call you later." And I hang up the phone smiling, because I know she will, as I glance over to see my coyote wrestling his best  Beagle-friend to the ground. I yell at them to stop rough-housing, an order they completely disregard, and I think “Just wait until that pup hits her teens. . . “</div> <bR> <div> <B>About the Author</B></div> <bR> <div> Stacy Mantle is a freelance writer who currently resides in the southwestern deserts of Arizona with a number of cats, a coyote/wolf hybrid, and a very understanding husband. Her writing has appeared in publications such as The Arabian Horse Times, Today's AZ Woman, and Pets Illustrated. Many of her stories and articles have been translated into several languages, and now reach an international audience. Quickly becoming known as "…the Erma Bombeck of animals", her writing has skyrocketed to new heights as she records the stories of those she loves, inspiring the reader to learn why we have all come to love the animals we share our lives with. She is the author of Conquering the Food Chain: Living Amongst Animals (Without Becoming One), which is available in Barnes & Noble bookstores nationwide, as well as online at www.bn.com or www.amazon.com. Visit her at: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Bookman Old Style" >www.SWEducationalPublishing.com</FONT>. </div> <div>  </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Traveling with Tonka</B></div> <div> <B>by Amy Frasard</B></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="215ab980.jpg" border=0 width="171" height="152" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bookman Old Style" >In January 2001, my husband and I made the decision to move to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for six months.  There was never a discussion if Tonka, our six year old Chow mix would be coming with us-of course he would.    There were a lot of preparations involved with taking an animal out of the country as you can imagine. The first step was to figure out what the airline's requirements were for our four- legged family member.  I found out that at 70 pounds, Tonka would not qualifyfor carry on luggage (he could not fit under the seat!), and he would have to fly underneath with the baggage in a temperature-controlled compartment.  I also discovered many airlines do not allow animals to fly at all and/or they have restrictions for summer months when the weather can be extreme.  We chose an airline that had a non-stop flight which was important for us to help eliminate any extra anxiety.  A reservation was required for Tonka and the fee of $75.00 would have to be paid when we checked in.  The next step was to find a kennel that would be large enough for Tonkato stand and walk around and have places for water and food for the trip. The final step was to make sure Tonka was up to date on all his shots.  In addition a letter from his veterinarian stating that he was healthy and safe to fly was required and had to be dated within 10 days of the flight.  </FONT></div> <bR> <div> The veterinarian also suggested we give Tonka anti-anxiety pills to help with all the excitement.  The day of departure we watched our big baby rolled away in his kennel, pasted with “Live Animal” stickers,  by an airline employee with Tonka's barking echoing throughout the airport.  I worried the entire two-hour flight and  was so relived when I saw him brought out in baggage claim.  </div> <bR> <div> As they say, hind sight is everything and had I to do it again, there are things I would have done differently.  First, it is best to freeze the water in the dishes before putting them in the kennel.  With all of the commotion and handling of the cage, most of the water spilled out before Tonka ever got on the plane.  Second, I would have had gotten Tonka a nice summer hair cut so the adjustment from the  winter weather in Flagstaff  to the tropical 83 degrees in  Mexico would have been less drastic. Finally, I would not have given Tonka any “tranquilizers”. I found out later as I researched this for the trip home, many airlines as well as veterinarians do not recommend this due to possible heart problems. In addition to the fact that he was so drowsy I think it made him more afraid of what was happening to him.  </div> <bR> <div> All in all, I am happy to say that Tonka has added international traveler to </div> <div> his list of life experiences and that he was able to share such a wonderful adventure with us. Although this journeys happened two years ago, every now and then I can still catch Tonka gazing out the window as if he is daydreaming of the days he chased the waves on a beach in Mexico.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>All Work & No Play???</B></div> <div> By Cindy Rogers</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2119f980.jpg" border=0 width="159" height="152" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">“Look at that dog run!” “That's the fastest yellow Labrador I've ever seen!” These are the comments I hear at the dog park. I can only hear what folks are saying because I am legally blind and that “fast” Labrador is my guide dog Cosma.</div> <bR> <div> Cosma and I have been a team for almost three years and she has completely changed my life. I have transitioned from using a red tipped cane while moving cautiously along the sidewalk to sailing along as her ears fly like angel wings. The decision to train with a guide dog was effortless for me, as I have always had pet dogs in my life. My greatest question was the ability to completely entrust my safety and my life to a dog. I wasn't sure if that was possible. We all love our four legged children dearly, but would you close your eyes and let your dog take you across a busy intersection?</div> <bR> <div> The life of guide dogs begins at the moment of birth. The puppies spend their early lives together at the kennels at Guide Dogs For The Blind. Cosma was part of a “C” litter, which means that the puppy's names all begin with a “C”. Chutney and Calista were her sisters After eight weeks the puppies go to live with a puppy raiser until they are about one year old. Cosma spent her puppy months in central California with a priest and one of his parishioners. She was house trained and learned the basics of becoming a dog. She was able to travel everywhere with her family as guide dogs are allowed anywhere that the public is allowed. She was exposed to more of life than probably are some people! When Cosma was thirteen months old she returned to the school for formal guide dog training with a licensed instructor. These pups in training learn how to guide their handler across busy intersections, avoid obstacles along the path of travel, and to guide successfully through restaurants and shopping malls. A guide dog is trained to stop at any change in elevation. Only about 50% of the dogs in training actually become working guides as the training is rigorous and the dogs must also have the right temperament to adapt to any surroundings. Cosma graduated with flying colors in under five months! The instructors said she was an exceptional guide dog!</div> <bR> <div> Little did this exceptional guide dog know that she was about to become part of a team with a blind person who had not at all been trained! Upon arrival at Guide Dogs For the Blind I entered into an experience which is one of the most unforgettable than I will ever know. The first few days are spent in interviews with various instructors. They inquire about home and work lifestyles physical surroundings of neighborhoods and towns or cities, and what kind of dog the handler might wish to receive. I requested a female yellow Labrador There was extensive training with a simulated guide named “Juno.” Well, “Juno” is actually a guide dog harness attached to a large towel!  I learned how to be guided by a guide dog throughout the campus and around town by a walking towel! Plus, I learned also to give commands to this towel and occasionally this towel didn't respond!</div> <bR> <div> The third day after arrival at school is known as “Dog Day” During the morning the members of the class are each told the name, breed and gender of the guide who will soon become a part of his/her life 24/7. After lunch, I was escorted into the library and asked to sit in a chair, as I would be close to “dog level.” In a few minutes the most beautiful dog in the world came into the room with tail wagging and the entire wiggle body! This 60lb. 16-month-old Labrador would be a part of almost every hour of each day!  My apprehension was overwhelming as in an instant I became totally responsible for another life. I will always wonder if she also felt the same emotions? How would I ever learn to entrust my life to this wiggling puppy? </div> <bR> <div> This question was soon answered as we took our first walk along the sidewalk in town as a working guide dog team. As I grasped the harness handle and gave the “forward “ command, we were officially a team. I felt as though I was flying and as the tears streamed down my face, I realized Cosma was a miracle. My life has never again been the same. The 28day training was rigorous and arduous. The days were long and exhausting, but we knew we needed to be ready for the real world.</div> <bR> <div> The graduation ceremony was an emotional celebration like no other. The puppy raisers return to the school to say their goodbyes to the puppies who enriched the lives of their families for nearly a year. They have time with the pups as the graduates are seated on the stage. As my name was called I approached the microphone. Cosma's raisers brought her to me and handed me her leash. I then had the wonderful opportunity to thank them for being such a part of helping this miracle girl to be a guide dog. After the ceremonies Cosma and I boarded the plane to Phoenix to begin our new lives together. So many adventures awaited and we would share them together. I trusted my life to this wiggling puppy Cosma. She is my guide dog.</div> <bR> <div> So, whenever you see a yellow Labrador streaking past you at the dog park it just might be Cosma, the guide dog, not working and enjoying her day off! </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Canines & Prisoners Get Second Chance</B></div> <div> by Kay Mikel</div> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="1f287890.png" border=0 width="135" height="137" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Bookman Old Style" >For the first time ever, Tucson shelter dogs are getting a second chance at life and Arizona prisoners are helping them succeed. The Second Chance Prison Canine Program became a reality through the hard work and commitment of </FONT></div> <div> Gayle Woods, a longtime Tucsonan who knows firsthand the benefits dogs provide for people with disabilities, and her team of volunteers.The program officially got under way in August 2003when six Pima Animal Care Center shelter dogsarrived at  the Florence Correctional Center to begin their training. Inmates selected as handlers had gone through eight weeks of classroom training to prepare for this new venture. They learned the positive reward training system used to teach the dogs and had many opportunities to experience hands-on training to refine their skills by working with dogs brought to class by Second Chance volunteers.</div> <bR> <div> When their training is complete, these dogs will be given to people with disabilities to help them live more independent lives. These prison pets are learning to pick up all sorts of objects and bring them to the trainer, walk beside a wheelchair (it's not as easy as you might think!), turn lights on and off, provide a sturdy brace to help a person get up from a chair or the floor, retrieve the phone, help take clothing on and off, and much, much more. If you can think it, these dogs can learn to help you do it!</div> <bR> <div> The Second Chance dogs and their handlers are already stars; they were featured in December on the first show in Animal Planet's new TV series “Cell Dogs.” If you would like to learn more about the program and how you can help, visit our website at secondchanceprisoncanine.org or call (520) 742-0338.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Working Dogs </B></div> <div> by J. Miller</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1f0cc950.jpg" border=0 width="204" height="149" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Fascinating and eye-opening are the words I would use to describe the recent Chandler Police Department's K-9 training session I was privileged to observe. The police have five canines -- Chase, Bandit, Duke, Marco and Ranger who thrive on the opportunity to work, and their energy level is apparent both during their training and while waiting in their patrol car, eager to get out and get going! The preferred breed is the Belgian Malinois because of their durability, high energy level and agility.  The dogs, from Holland, all alpha-males, weighing between 50 and 80 pounds each, are dual trained: forscent detection (either drugs or explosives) and for patrol:  apprehend, search, track, etc. According to the canine officers, these dogs are able to distinguish four different drug scents and 15 different explosive scents and only respond to commands in German.  n describing the sense of smell of these dogs, one officer said, I "A human may smell a hamburger, but the dog will be able to smell the burger, the pickle, the mustard, the lettuce, the bun, etc.''  These canines go through 320 hours of basic K-9 training and aretaught such things as when to bite, how to let go, how to stay on guard and watch while a suspect is searched, how to alert their handler to the  presence of drugs or explosives and much more. Each year the Chandler Police Department K-9 unit is recertified by the National Police Canine Association.</div> <bR> <div> Each trainer/canine unit works the night shift, plus one K-9 team is on call 24 hours a day, a week at a time. One day a week is set aside for additional training and to reinforce lessons already taught. The dogs live with their trainer and are able to switch to being a family dog, playing with other dogs in the home and the kids.</div> <bR> <div> Each year, competitions are held for the K-9 dogs and departments from around the state and adjoining states put their dogs through these trials. The next competition will held April 17th & 18th at Scottsdale Stadium and is open to the public. It was great watching the close relationship, camaraderie and commitment the officers have with their canine companions.  The K-9 unit is an obvious necessity to any police department and the citizens of Chandler should be very proud of theirs!</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Bark Park from the Ground Up </div> <div> by Monique Akar  </div> <bR> <div> Those of us who spend time with dogs know there is much more to these animals than the dictionary definition. Daily we read of their dedication to humans thru service, kindness and compassion, how can we repay this loving creature for such devotion? The bark parks are one way to give them a place to be a dog without the responsibility of guarding their home, vehicle or family, a place to be a part of a temporary pack, run free without leash and yet have their person nearby. This makes for a happy, well exercised dog. With all that in mind, how does a group go about building a bark park? Here are some suggestions based in previous successes. (check out: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Bookman Old Style" ><A HREF="id25.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="FlagPAL">www.flagpal.org</A></FONT>).</div> <bR> <div> 1. Form a group that will dedicate the time and effort to accomplish the task from start to finish. if you have media contact, that is a plus and will gather interested people to the project.</div> <div> 2. Do the research, collect photos, talk to other animal groups, contact cities with bark parks. Select a site with the best chance of succeeding. Make site maps showing parking, fencing etc.</div> <div> 3. Have statistics available. City officials will be involved and will want to know the feasibility of adding this to their responsibilities.</div> <div> 4. Talk about the advantages for people as well as dogs. The bark parks are a great place for newcomers to make friends. Remember you will be talking to elected officials and dogs don't vote.</div> <div> 5. Contact your city and County Park and recreation dept. They can guide you thru the maze of requirements which will avoid undoing some of your hard work.</div> <div> 6. Set up a separate bank account to assure contributors their money will be returned if the park is not approved and built.</div> <div> 7. Show progress as soon as possible as it will help in the funding of your project.</div> <div> Here in Flagstaff, we have 2 bark parks. Fortunately there was no opposition to the idea. Most bark parks take several years to build. Speed is not the goal, building it right is more important.  Those who speak against bark parks usually have never visited a site and quote horror stories passed from person to person. We point out the city does not eliminate baseball fields because a child turns an ankle sliding into home base! Building a bark park is quite an undertaking but the results will be worth the effort.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Canine Magic: The Wonderful Work of </B></div> <div> <B>Pet Therapy Animals </B></div> <div> <B>by Paul M. Howey</B></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="206" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 257 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1abc4fb0.jpg" border=0 width="196" height="251" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> The little girl at the children's crisis center couldn't have been more than two years old.  She'd started screaming in fear the moment the dog entered the room.  While all the other toddlers were hugging the dog and giving her treats, the little girl had to be comforted in the arms of one of the staff members. Had she been frightened or even bitten by a dog some time in the past?  No one can know for certain. But things were about to change.  Each week, Holly watched as the other children played and brushed and walked Freckles the therapy dog  during her regular visits to the center.  She stood apart, amazed at how they all hugged and kissed Freckles on the nose when the visit was over.</div> <bR> <div> A few weeks ago, as the youngsters were saying their good-byes to Freckles, Holly ran up and kissed Freckles on the rump.  Of course, she did.  There weren't any teeth back there!  Soon, Holly even mustered the courage to give Freckles a treat.  The next week, Holly was right in there among the others hugging Freckles and kissing her on top of the head.</div> <bR> <div> This is but one of countless stories of success racked up every day by dogs, cats, llamas, horses, and a variety of other trained and certified pet therapy animals.  There is Joy, the golden retriever, whom I watched work her magic among the severely developmentally disabled patients at an extended care facility  recently.  Joy went from bed to bed, wheelchair to wheelchair, eliciting smiles and laughter where before there were none.  She goes every week and her visits are anticipated with much excitement by the patients and by the staff.</div> <bR> <div> Pet therapy animals bring diversion and comfort to those in hospitals and nursing homes, encouragement and companionship to shut-ins and homeless persons, they offer unconditional love to abused and neglected children.  I must confess, the people who share their animals with others are among the most highly“ paid” volunteers in the world.</div> <bR> <div> To learn more about animal-assisted therapy, visit the Delta Society (www.DeltaSociety.org) and for more about animal-assisted therapy with at-risk children here in the Valley, contact Gabriel's Angels</div> <div> (www.PetsHelpingKids.com).</div> <div>  </div> <div> Paul is the author of the newly-released book for young readers, <B>Freckles: The Mystery of the Little White Dog in the Desert</B>, that tells of her survival after being abandoned in the desert with her six puppies and how she was rescued and became a pet therapy dog.  She now works with youngsters, many of whom come from backgrounds strikingly similar to her own.  Freckles is available at Changing Hands, Borders, and Barnes & Noble, and on-line at Amazon.com. For more information, visit: <U>www.FrecklesFriends. org</U>.  You can contact Paul at aztexts@cox.net"<A HREF="mailto: aztexts@cox.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: aztexts@cox.net"> </A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Bookman Old Style" ><A HREF="mailto: aztexts@cox.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto: aztexts@cox.net"><U>aztexts@cox.net</U></A></FONT>.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="559" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 421 WIDTH="561"><div> <B>For the Love of the Dogs</B></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="206" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 355 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1a8ca5d0.jpg" border=0 width="202" height="349" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> March 27, 2003, was a day many will remember.  That's the day “Chico” Rodgers tried to save his two dogs, Captain, age 5, and Misty, age 6, from a fire in his home in Chandler.  The dogs got out without injury, but Chico suffered third-degree burns over 40 percent of his body.  While chatting with a neighbor out front, Chico noticed flames coming from the back of the house.  Since the front door was locked, he ran to the back yard searching for his dogs.  He plunged through the  doggy door to continue  his  search, and that's  when the flames  got to him. Apparently Captain and Misty came out, unharmed, right before Chico stumbled out with severe burns to his arms and legs.  </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> The Fire Department believes the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction of the stove. Chandler, Mesa and Tempe Fire Departments responded to the blaze as flames spread from the stove to the wallpaper in the kitchen, on to the dining room and up to the attic. Chico was taken to the Maricopa County burn center where he was in a medical induced coma for a month and remained for two months until he was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital for 2½ weeks.  </div> <bR> <div> A week after he arrived at rehab, he was up walking. Doctors thought he had been rehabbing for a month! Although he was in great pain, Chico persevered in his rehabilitation, admitting he has a high tolerance for pain and a keen desire to get back home. Meanwhile, friends from his previous neighborhood in Tempe called the Fordham Association as well as his current neighbors here in Chandler got together to raise money to rebuild his house and cover his expenses while he was out of work.  In fact, several fund-raising parties were held.  In addition, PetsMart donated food for Captain and Misty, who were staying with neighbors.  </div> <bR> <div> In June, Chico's friends completely gutted his house and began to rebuild it, including doing many of the projects he had planned to do himself before the fire happened! He's been back to the dog  park often, in between more surgeries to repair the extensive damage to his limbs. He is warmly greeted by all the regulars there who still marvel at his determination to save his dogs at all costs and with no thought to his own safety!</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>A Story with a message </B></div> <div> <B>by Susan Norton-Scott</B></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="570" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 214 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="14edcc80.jpg" border=0 width="220" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="340"><div> The next time you see those two cute Golden Retriever  siblings Gwen, and Henry at the Bark Park, be sure to pet them. Their dramatic story could have had a very different ending if it wasn't for the efforts of caring neighbors during a tragedy, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>a new dedicated rescue group,a nurturing foster family,  and their owners Sue and Will.  Gwen and Henry's original owner was a young, single woman who lived </div> <div> in Nogales and lovingly raised the siblings </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div>  from birth. For six years, she doted over them as if they were her children. </div> <bR> <div> Suddenly one December evening, tragedy struck.  She was killed in a car accident.  Over the next few weeks, while her family and friends were reeling from their loss, her next door neighbors cared for the animals.  Though the neighbors truly wanted to keep the pair, they found that with the dogs they already had, two more were just too much. Reluctantly the neighbors decided to relinquish Gwen and Henry to Rescue a Golden of AZ (RAG) to be placed with a new family, but with the directive that they stay together.</div> <bR> <div> All the doggie items from their former household were packed up in a box, along with a heart-warming letter addressed to Gwen and Henry's future owners. The RAG of AZ folks placed the dogs in a foster home in Gilbert, where they quickly adjusted to a farm life with a delightful family.  Two months passed and they were still not placed in a “forever” family. It's difficult to find a family that can take the two sizable adult dogs.</div> <bR> <div> In the meantime Will Scott and Sue Norton-Scott suffered their own loss. Their senior golden, Data, passed on. He had been adopted ten years ago and  had become a deeply loved member of their home and his passing was deeply felt. While overcoming their grief they submitted an application to adopt another golden. Within three days RAGs called asking if they would be willing to adopt two dogs. Once meeting Gwen and Henry, it was an easy decision to adopt the pair. The couple discovered that taking care of two dogs wasn't that much more work than one.  “We didn't have to worry about the dogs while they were at work because they had each other, and two dogs playing together can be quite entertaining, especially at the park!” Sue and Will weren't the only ones touched by the story of Henry and Gwen. </div> <bR> <div> Everyone who heard the story commented on the sensitivity and care showed to these animals by all the people who met them on their way to their “forever” home. The story also encourages animal owners to ask themselves the uncomfortable question, “What would happen to my pets if I were to die?”  In this case, the extraordinarily compassionate people in the life of the first owner started a chain of connections that led to a happy ending. Each of us hopes that our pets would have a nurturing new home should something happen to us.   If there is something we can do to assure that this will be the case, Gwen and Henry's story suggests that perhaps today is the day to do it. So the next time you see those two gentle goldens at the park, be sure to pet them and always remember to treasure the precious moments you have with the ones you love.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Meet Dicha, Therapy Dog</B></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="528" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 214 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="18fb2cc0.jpg" border=0 width="178" height="204" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="339"><div> One of the regulars at Shawnee Bark Park, is Dicha (pronounced dee-cha), and short for Dona Dicha Chiquita, Spanish for “happy.” This beautiful & gentle gray weimaraner has been visiting residents of  Carestone retirement complex every other Saturday and will soon be providing unconditional love and attention to abused and at-risk children through Gabriel's Angels program (petshelpingkids.com).</div> <div> Her owner, Clarence ramer, Director of </div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Conciliation, Pinal County Court might not have believed this  dog could be trained to be a good therapy dog when he rescued her from the pound over 2 1/2 years ago.  The poor pup had scars all over her, plus had a tumor removed from her side.  Lurking in this tattered and scarred body was a terror who ate walls, banisters and floor boards in her new home.   Clarence had to erect chicken wire barriers to protect his house from total  destruction! This was the 5th weimaraner he had raised so how hard could it be for Clarence to raise this young dog  Obviously love and patience and  considerable training paid off and Dicha is now a gentle, well-trained canine with love to share with those who need it desperately; plus she's not eating walls anymore.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>“The Beast”</B></div> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="491" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 214 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="190aca90.jpg" border=0 width="172" height="169" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Hi, I'm Chandler Max,</B></div> <div> <B>aka, “The Beast"</B></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="315"><div> <B>What a lucky day it was for Chandler Max 6 years ago when he was adopted from PetsMart by Teri & Rose.  Chandler is a very loving dog and spends his days watching over his Mom, Terri and waiting for his other Mom, Rose, to come home from work.</B></div> <div> <B>He seems to know the exact time</B><B>  </B></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> <B> to start looking for her.  Chandler often prowls the backyard chasing geckos and making sure all is well.  This is a lot of work for such a small dog but he does it well and is rewarded with many treats.  This is one talented pooch:  he can toss a ball over his head and catch it before it hits the ground.  He knows just where to stand to get a treat and will go to the corner without being told when he's been naughty.  Is that talent or what?</B></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Water Dog</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>by Carol Hollis</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>If you are looking for a new way to exercise your dog, consider kayaking.  Angel's found it a great way to meet new friends, smell wonderful new odors, see new scenery, and keep cool over the hot summer months.  She and her owner Carol spend most Sundays kayaking the lower Salt between Saguaro Lake and Granite Reef.   </B></div> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="515" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 173 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="115e6a70.jpg" border=0 width="486" height="167" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> <B>We and our fellow paddlers like to start early in the morning and have the birds, fish, wild horses and occasional foxes or coyotes for company.  But, if you like lots of company, you can kayak later in the day with all the tubers.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Angel likes to stand at the front of the kayak snapping at floating reeds and water bugs and often joining them in the water as she slips off the side of the kayak.  With practice, she's learned that any nearby boat will "rescue" her and, eventually, she'll find her way back to her "home" kayak.  If your dog isn't a good swimmer, Angel recommends a doggie floatation device.  Angel herself has become quite adept at swimming the rapids and swimming to shore when she's had enough boating for awhile.  With frequent stops for snacks and shore investigations, swimming and patrolling the river for any interesting wildlife, Angel gets a thorough workout (So does Carol!)</B></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="113a9080.png" border=0 width="425" height="8" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>A Word to the Wise</B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Times New Roman" ><B>by Jim Graham</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>I learned last Saturday just how important it is to keep your pet</B></div> <div> <B>licensed, and to keep his or her collar with the license on. My wife, my dog Beaglejuice, his friend Winston, and I had just finished our 'tour' of the Shawnee Bark Park and walked out to the parking lot. There was a beautiful Australian Shepard there, but no one was around. The dog had his collar, however, so I put our dogs in the car and got our leash on his collar. I took him to the bark park, thinking someone there might</B></div> <div> <B>recognize the Shepard and know where to find his people. No one knew the dog's people, so I borrowed a cell phone and called the convenient number on all Maricopa County license tags, 1-888-PETS 911 (1-888-738-7911). Although the menus were numerous, once I had navigated through and entered the year, zipcode, and license number, the automated system gave me the owner's phone number. I called them, and they did not</B></div> <div> <B>even know that the dog was missing! I think this is a great service, and it is efficient!</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>