Woman Who Adopted Dog Thrown Off Bridge Faces Eviction - Paw Nation

Woman Who Adopted Dog Thrown Off Bridge Faces Eviction - Paw Nation

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The Pet Guardian thanks 21-year-old Kelsey Westbrook for being the epitome of what being a loving pet guardian is all about. What could have been a tragic ending to one of God's creatures is only the beginning of what will now be a happy life for this lucky pit bull named Sunny.

I share with you a wonderful e-mail and message sent to me this morning from my dear friend Jim Rentas. Especially after reading the story of Kelsey and Sunny, the timing of this message couldn't be more appropriate.

"All of God’s creatures are impacted by human events, practices and ecological abuses. You know that the Greek Orthodox Faith is basically what sustains my sanity. What most people don’t know is that September 1st is the ecclesiastical New Year for the Orthodox Church and a day that is also dedicated to making us aware of the God given responsibility to protect and help maintain all of God’s creation.

"So, I’m sending you the following for your perusal to let you know that you are not alone in your quest to love and help sustain the quality of life for all animals, all be it by making everyone aware of the sanctity of all that was given for man’s pleasure and care."

Read on:

+ B A R T H O L O M E W
BY THE MERCY OF GOD ARCHBISHOP
OF CONSTANTINOPLE, NEW ROME AND
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH
TO THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH
GRACE AND PEACE
FROM THE CREATOR OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE
OUR LORD, GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST

"As we come again to the changing of the Church year, we reflect once more on the state of God’s creation. We think about the past and repent for all that we have done or failed to do for the earth’s care; we look to the future and pray for wisdom to guide us in all that we think or do.

"These last twelve months have been a time of great uncertainty for the whole world. The financial systems that so many people trusted to bring them the good things of life have brought instead fear, uncertainty and poverty. Our globalised economy has meant that everyone - even the poorest who are far removed from the dealings of big business - has been affected.

"The present crisis offers an opportunity for us to deal with the problems in a different way, because the methods that created these problems cannot provide their best solution. We need to bring love into all our dealings, the love that inspires courage and compassion. Human progress is not just the accumulation of wealth and the thoughtless consumption of the earth’s resources. The way that the present crisis has been dealt with has revealed the values of the few who are shaping the destiny of our society; of those who can find vast sums of money to support the financial system that has betrayed them, but are not willing to allot even the least portion of that money to remedy the piteous state the creation has been reduced to because of these very values, or for feeding the hungry of the world, or for securing safe drinking water for the thirsty, who are also victims of those values. On the face of every hungry child is written a question for us, and we must not turn away to avoid the answer. Why has this happened? Is it a problem of human inability or of human will?

"We have rendered the Market the centre of our interest, our activities and, finally, of our life, forgetting that this choice of ours will affect the lives of future generations, limiting the number of their choices that would probably be more oriented towards the well-being of man as well as the creation. Our human economy, which has made us consumers, is failing. The divine economy, which has made us in the image of the loving Creator, calls us to love and care for all creation. The image we have of ourselves is reflected in the way we treat the creation. If we believe that we are no more than consumers, then we shall seek fulfillment in consuming the whole earth; but if we believe we are made in the image of God, we shall act with care and compassion, striving to become what we are created to be.

"Let us pray for God’s blessing on the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December, so that the industrially developed countries may co-operate with developing countries in reducing harmful polluting emissions, that there may exist the will to raise and manage wisely the funds required for the necessary measures, and that all may work together to ensure that our children enjoy the goods of the earth that we leave behind for them. There must be justice and love in all aspects of economic activity; profit – and especially short-term profit – cannot and should not be the sole motive of our actions.

"Let us all renew our commitment to work together and bring about the changes we pray for, to reject everything that is harming the creation, to alter the way we think and thus drastically to alter the way we live."

September 1st, 2009 A.D.
Your beloved brother in Christ and
fervent supplicant before God,
+ BARTHOLOMEW of Constantinople

Care Affair for Canine Cures

We underestimated just how many folks would not be available to participate in our Care Affair for Canine Cures fundraiser and health fair for dogs scheduled for Labor Day weekend, September 5, 2009. This event was to benefit Morris Animal Foundation's (MAF) Canine Cancer Campaign and MAF's Meisha's Hope AIHA/IMHA Fund #338.

Our event has been postponed until sometime in the spring of 2010. We are searching for a larger venue to hold our event so we can also have a K9 walk for our patrons and their dogs.

While we are disappointed we won't be holding our event as originally planned, we are more excited than ever as we continue to plan for the spring. We're firm believers in everything happens when it is supposed to, and we're sure that our spring event will be a great success!

We have gotten wonderful feedback and suggestions from our lineup of speakers, vendors, and participating rescue organizations. The fall and winter months will give us more time to lose sleep over the excitement of planning and arranging even more cool demonstrations, exhibitors, etc. We're even dreaming of our theme for the 2011 event!

Be sure to subscribe to The Pet Guardian blog to be kept up to date on developments!

August 2009 Pet Halo Award: Wag 'N Pet Safety Gear

Who can ever forget what happened in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the unnecessary abandonment and death of over a half million pets. On so many levels, our country was not prepared for a disaster of such gigantic proportions, but especially in caring for the health and safety of God's creatures.

Fortunately, there is Ines de Pablo and her company, Wag 'N Enterprises. We love what she and her company stand for.

Here's a bit of information about Wag 'N, taken from their Web site:

"Owners need to be informed about their options, how they can prepare, what they need to prepare for, and understand that there are many ways to mitigate, prepare for and respond to an emergency. Our goal is to make sure that the pets you love so dearly are cared for appropriately to prevent a dire situation from becoming a full-blown emergency. And who said that preparedness couldn’t be trendy and fashionable? Know what’s at stake! Be informed! Keep your pets Wag 'N!"

Amen, Ines!

The Pet Guardian didn't have a Pet Halo Award winner for July, but we feel Wag 'N is more than worthy for August 2009 and beyond.

We encourage pet guardians to support Ines and Wag 'N by purchasing Wag 'N pet safety gear and making "our world a better place for our furry friends"!

Leaving Pets in Parked Cars

Leaving your pet in a parked car is not "cool." Leaving your pet in a parked car can be a deadly mistake.

NEVER leave your pet unattended in a parked car for any period of time, not for 20 minutes, not for 2 minutes. On a warm day, the temperature in a car can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in a matter of minutes -- even with the windows partially open. I've seen pets in cars where the guardians didn't even leave the windows cracked! What are they thinking? Obviously, they're not thinking. Your pet can quickly suffer brain damage or die from heatstroke or suffocation when trapped in a hot car.

The elevation in body temperature stimulates your dog's body to release substances that activate inflammation. At temperatures greater than 109 degrees Fahrenheit, failure of vital organs, and consequently death, can occur.

In California it is illegal to leave a dog in a hot car. In 2006 Gov. Schwarzenegger signed SB 1806:

"SB 1806 makes it a crime for a person to leave a pet unattended in a vehicle in a way that endangers the well-being of the animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering or death. Unless the animal suffers great bodily injury, a first misdemeanor conviction for this crime is punishable by a fine of $100 or less per animal. If the animal suffers great bodily injury, the punishment is a fine of $500 or less, a sentence of up to six months in county jail, or both. A person convicted of felony animal cruelty is subject to a fine of $20,000 or less, time in state prison, or both."

The bill was passed in 2006 and became a law in 2007. If you live in California, it may be a good idea to have a copy of the statute or a copy of the article in the link above to show the police if you ever see a dog in distress and they are reluctant to do anything about it.

Places where you tend to see most often dogs in parked cars is at the mall, in which case you can contact mall security to let them know. At the grocery store? Any other retail store? Ask management if they will announce on the intercom the guardian of the pet come to the front of the store. Be able to provide management with the color, make, and model of the car along with the license plate number.

Even if the sun isn't on the car at that moment, we all know that could change if the car remains for an extended period of time.

Can't find the pet's guardian? Be prepared to break the window of the car -- obviously away from the animal -- and get the animal out of the car.

This is what you should do if a pet is exposed to high temperatures:

Be alert to the signs of heat stress -- heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue.

If the pet has become overheated, you must lower his or her body temperature immediately by taking the following steps:

1. Move the pet into the shade and apply cool (not cold) water all over his or her body to gradually lower the animal's body temperature.

2. Apply ice packs or cold towels to the pet's head, neck, and chest only.

3. Let the pet drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes.

Finally, take the pet directly to a veterinarian -- it could save the pet's life!

If you see an animal in a car exhibiting any signs of heat stress, call your local animal care and control agency or police department immediately!

You don't just expose your pet to the dangers of heat stress when you leave him or her in a car; you also expose your pet to pet theft. Many pets are stolen each year from unattended cars.

Taking your pet for a ride may seem like fun -- I know my dogs love it! -- but many pets prefer to spend time in the comfort and safety of home. Explore activities that you and your pet can share at home, and avoid the risks of leaving your pet in the car.

If you must take your pet with you in your car, do so safely. Cats should ride in pet carriers, and dogs should ride in travel crates or wear safety harnesses. When a pet travels, he or she should wear two ID tags -- one with a home address and one with a destination address.

I think most of us like the companionship of having our pets with us as much as possible. If it is warm outside, don't take him with you unless you are able to stay in the car with him and keep the air conditioner running. Remember: if you were to sit in your car with your winter coat on on a warm day and are uncomfortable, your pet will be, too!

Please keep your precious companions safe!

June 2009 Pet Halo Award: Dogswell

The Pet Guardian has implemented the Pet Halo Award, our way of giving "four paws up" to pet-friendly individuals and companies who are particularly kind and generous with their time and resources in making our world a better place for our furry friends. We want to share some "pawsitivity" every month with you and are asking you to join us in doing the same!

We've just learned from the publication "Mile High Dog" that Dogswell, makers of natural treats and dog food, launched a relief campaign to give away 10,000 bags of dry dog food to people who have lost their jobs, taken a pay cut, or have suffered financial hardship. The offer ran from April 15, 2009 to May 15, 2009.

According to Dogswell marketing representative Jenny Williams, "We know how difficult it's been for pet owners to keep their pets, and we want to do what we can to help people keep their dogs for at least one more month." When the bags of food are mailed out, they come with a high-valued coupon so that the next bag of food can be purchased at a discount.

When so many pet guardians have found themselves financially destitute and in the difficult place of feeling they've needed to relinquish guardianship of their pets to shelters, it is comforting to know that there are those who are wanting to keep families together.

Kudos to Dogswell, our June 2009 Pet Halo Award winner!

Veterinary Care: Science, Guesswork, or Quackery?

What does veterinary school teach vets, besides the anatomy of many different animals, office procedures, and taking the word of some drug reps and pharmaceutical companies as gospel? The Pet Guardian really has to wonder, as apparently some vets and their staff can't be taught common sense, instinct, compassion, and how to deal with their paying, concerned -- sometimes frantic -- wanting-to-be-educated clients. How much of veterinary care is science, guesswork, or quackery?

I write this not because of a bad experience I've had with a vet lately, but because of the flood of e-mails that find their way to me from people whose dogs or cats received horrendous "care" from veterinarians all across the United States, Canada, and Europe. It makes me so sad that our companion animals can be hurt by the very "experts" we are told we should trust.

Seven years ago, when I was becoming familiar with the holistic way of life for my dogs, I was referred to a vet who is well known in Colorado. People drive to see this man from many surrounding states to have their pets looked after. I felt comfortable with this "mountain vet" at first, especially because we both hate a certain drug manufacturer, who shall go unnamed here.

My dog Casey is a big, gentle soul of a black German shepherd/lab mix. He's not fond of a lot of attention bestowed on him and being in public places. He's one of the sweetest, most wonderful dogs you'll ever meet. Casey doesn't want baths, and he certainly does not want his toenails cut. He wants to be by my side at all times, and otherwise, please leave him alone, he'd say, if he could speak.

This mountain vet's office literally took five of their vet techs to hold Casey down to the floor to draw blood. This was an especially painful thing for me to watch, an image that stays with me to this day. But the blood had to be taken as we needed to find out the effects ProHeart 6 was having on Casey's immune system. I felt so bad for my poor baby struggling to get free from the clutches of these people.

By the time Casey and I had made it home this day from the mountain vet's office, the vet had called to report a sky-high level of white blood cells and said to bring him back for a recheck. Since this office could not assure me I could bring him in on another day and be seen right away for that recheck, I elected to try two other local vet offices for the same simple procedure. Which, by the way, turned out to be just fine. Casey had been so frightened by the mountain people that it caused his white blood cell count to hit that sky-high mark.

Sometimes Casey likes to lick his paws. It's very infrequent, but he does it. This same vet suggested I had mold in my house (a brand-new house), that Casey was allergic to "mold" in the carpet. This vet suggested that I -- get ready for this -- bathe Casey in BLEACH. Besides the fact that I did not have an itchy dog, this just did not sit right with me. At the time, even with my ignorance and trusting nature, I didn't know why it didn't sit well with me. But if anyone wants to try an experiment with pouring bleach on their own skin, have at it. See how you feel, especially if you have an open wound.

What happened with Casey makes me wonder how much science, guesswork, or quackery exists when it comes to vets treating our pets.

You know how I mentioned Casey is an old, gentle soul. Because of this, he also has highly developed keen instincts. I think some pets possess this gift more than others. I trust Casey's instincts implicitly and have learned so much about not only him, but my other dogs. He's the true teacher here.

Casey is seen now by a wonderful holistic vet who has a very calm demeanor about him, who is sort of a "pet whisperer," if you will. Anyone from this vet's office can draw blood or cut Casey's toenails without the assistance of even a second person. It's a miracle, I sometimes think, but no, it's really Casey letting me know these people are "okay," that I can trust in them for his care, as much as I can allow myself to trust vets, anyway.

Now, more than ever, it is crucial for pet guardians to become educated and be true advocates for their pets. Accepting things at face value, whether it be from a veterinarian or watching a cute TV commercial, without research conducted on one's own behalf, is NOT ACCEPTABLE and can lead to disasterous consequences. Pet guardians must learn to trust their own instincts and to trust their very animals who are trying to tell them something, if only we'd just listen.

The Dangers of "Spot-On" Flea Killers

It's summertime, that time of year when pet guardians have real problems with fleas and ticks. Please everyone copy and paste the following link into your browser and read this most informative article. Buyer BEWARE!

http://www.apnm.org/publications/resources/fleachemfin.pdf

A good rule of thumb to always follow is this: If you would not let your human baby, your children, or yourself ingest or apply a chemical to your own body, PLEASE do not subject your pets to this kind of treatment! The same goes for heartworm injectables! These products that the TV commercials claim are "safe" can cause serious, irreversible side effects that could even cause death!