Today Post::Remembering the Good Guys

One of the best parts of our job is meeting people who swim against the current to help nearly forgotten animals in their corners. In so many cases, those people are shelter workers who work to help those ostracized pit bulls without the cushion of a supportive community. (We are so spoiled in the SF bay area!) BR’s sister organization - Partners in Shelter Services - has identified three diehards who went above and beyond to make positive change during tough times in 2009. Because it was the year of the bust dog, It just so happens that all worked to help the victims of cruelty in their shelters.

Congratulations Jennifer Cummings (Claremore OK), Laurie Adams (Indianapolis IN) and Gloria Wheatley (Washington GA).

NEWS: Recognition Awards for Outstanding Shelter Work in 2009

Each award winner will receive $1000 to be used to help the pit bulls in their shelters. We’re proud to know them and look forward to watching the ripple effect that they’ve put into motion through their words and deeds.

A Benefit Show This Sunday, Nov 8 in Sacto

Keith Campos and his bandmates came to our rescue in a big way in the spring of ‘07 when our emergency medical fund for the dogs was running on fumes. They did a benefit show for BR at Gilman Street with four other bands that got us right on our feet again and showed everyone how much heart the punk rock community has for pit bulls.

We were flattened to learn that Keith’s life was cut short in a violent crime recently. His friends are grieving in the way they know best: They’re putting on a big show to honor their buddy. Keith was a fellow pit bull owner and a big supporter, so all proceeds from the show will benefit the BR dogs. We hope they have a huge turn out and that Keith is there in spirit to celebrate a good life lived large. One thing we know for sure, they will play their hearts out at this show. SHOW INFO

Keith Campos Memorial Show This Sunday, November 8 from 2-8pm at the Casa de Chaos in Sacto. Contributing bands: Secretions, Planetary Ruins, Dissident Aggressor, Rat Damage, Psychosomatic, and Magi-Kool Doods. Contact Ken Fury for more info: furykore@hotmail.com

Today Post::Barn-A-Go-Go: A new matching challenge!

In between rescue work and conferences, the barn raising has been moving right along. We’ve been able to get the roof on in preparation for the winter weather that promises to soggy up our work crew. Since our last update, we’ve raised a big fat $9607! towards the goal of making this project a reality. It was truly a pleasure to raise that bar up once again.

And now …We've been blessed once again with a matching grant opportunity, but this one is very special in that it’s a DOUBLE matching grant! Our very generous donors wish to remain anonymous with their donation in the name of their special pit gal Maggie. (Dear Maggie … thank you for inspiring your people to help other pit bulls!)

We have thirty days to meet this challenge of $5,000, meaning that if we raise it, they will in turn donate $10,000 to us, making a total of $15,000. This amount of course puts us amazingly close to our final goal.

So once again, the pressure is on. Can we raise $5000 in 30 days? It’s a lot to ask, but we have faith. Let the challenge begin!

BARNRAISERS. Look at all the people who want a better day for pit bulls. It restores hope, doesn’t it? Holly Schneider, Linda Snyder, James Orvis, Daniel and Diane Alspaugh, Larry and Holly Dungan, Joette Martin, Rebecca Huss, Diane Rhodes, John & Brenda Starr, Roma-Dakini Alexander, Cheryl Banuelos, John and Ann Fornoff, Kimberky Baumback, Diane Andronovich, Luba Muzichenko, Jim and Patty Disiena, Barbara & Clarence Evans, Patty Marquez, Bryan Klavitter, Kathryn Hardy, Sarah Deluna, Rebecca Cowles, B A Laauterbach, Michael Harris, Merritt Tu, Cobalt Blues, Leila Gill, Ernest Lee, Josh Liddy, Lauri! e Metzger, Blue Fields Electric, Jennifer Aleah Nesteby, Carole Worthington, Janet Hurley, Damien Custer, Lisa Moeller, Jamie Cagle, Laurie Holmquist, Robert Stewart, Antone Sousa, Theresa Traylor, Daniel Kamalic, Anne Marie Suciu, Natalie Vietti, Heather Lucas, Melinda Shaw, Bonnie Burton, Gail Santos, Sherise Dobrin, Jason King, Majorie Samples, Leonard Raphael, Stefanie Hundenski, Fred Solis, Cahty Hanlon, Marisa Metala-Clendenen, Mitchell Buellesbach, Bailey Lee, Lisa Soon, Timothy Burns, Robyn Gillette, Stuart Fisk, Esther Shir, Dianne Rhodes, Adriana Aquino, Nicole Burris, Jessica Lamat, Aleksandra Gajdeczka, Beth Wawema, Abbie Ashce, Priscila Ibarra, Romy Nocera, Lyndon Parsons, Kimberly Baumback and Diane Androvich. Thank you all so very very much!

Behind the Scenes

Bust dogs from the midwest are landing in rescues all over the country as we type. Some lucky ducks like our buddy Ernie here are already home for keeps. Siiigh…Ernie! (news later) In some cases, dogs are joining adoption programs. In others, special darlings are ‘coming home’ for the TLC of Compassion Holds.

We continue to do a little of both, PLUS some exciting news: Plans are underway to bring a special lil’ working dog to CA in prep for a job in law enforcement. Updates later - So much needs to happen before any of the bust dogs’ stories can be told in full.

Want more dish? One of the groups that brought several bust dogs home has been offering wonderful insights as their dogs settle in to all-things-normal. Miss Jo gave all our hearts a big pitter patter when we met her in Des Moines so watching her via cyberspace is a huge hit around here. CHECK IT: A Rotta Love Plus’ Day 10 Case Study

GOT SPARE CHANGE?

MO Bust Victim Gigi Needs It
One of the first dogs that left Missouri this summer (right) is starting her heartworm treatment. Her rescuer, Nicole Rattay of ‘Just A Dog Rescue’ sure could use a little love in the way of donations for vet care. Please check out her page on ‘Gigi’ and consider sending her your latte money this week. It would be heaven sent.
..
VIDEO: Gigi meets her vet. Thank you dog lovers!

Today Post::Happy Halloween!

For some people it’s their favorite holiday. It is one of the few chances during the year when we have an excuse to dress up, down, be a super hero, be provocative, or for men to wear a tutu. I’ve seen a few costumes already this weekend, the most ironic being being a tall homeless man wearing an extra tall Uncle Sam hat. But have you ever seen a gargoyle dressed up as a lion?

So many people still write and ask for updates on our unusual Nelly that I’ll use this opportunity to let you all see for yourselves. She’s as beautiful as ever and is as heavy as ever - which in this case is a good sign - meaning that her babesiosis is in remission. She’s still with one of our trainers (Sara and boyfriend Jared) living the good life with a house full of dogs. We visit her when we meet with Sara and it’s always a highlight of my week - you know how it is when a dog makes ya feel extra special. She can lift spirits with the best of them and her piggy snorts are a such a hoot. Best Halloween to you all!

Tim

Today Post::a little cat mix

Today I have a few cat things from all over, starting with this perfect fall image of a black cat - a kuroki neko - in a tree, painted by Japanese artist Hishida Shunso in 1910. (Thanks, Wikimedia Commons.) Hishida died just shy of his 37th birthday, and had labored under kidney and retinal disease in his last years. So this golden painting, an “Important Cultural Property” in his native Japan, was done by a young man who knew he might well go blind soon. Here’s a bit about his accomplishments.

Speaking of doing what you want despite everything, friend N. McGuire passed on this true story from another friend about an old cat who had her own plans for a good exit:

A co-worker of mine had a nineteen year old black & white cat named “Twisted Sister”. She hadn’t been doing well recently and her owner was about ready to take her to the vet for the inevitable and was pretty distraught even though Twisted Sister had lived a long, happy, rock & roll life. But Twisted had her own ideas on how it was going to end - during the night she attempted her last supper…and was found face down & smiling in her food dish the next morning. She did it her way.

Excellent.

And last but not least, I see this has gone all over the place but I hadn’t seen it till this morning. Since I missed Friday’s BlogBlast for Peace, it can’t hurt to stick in a Sunday morning reminder of love and togetherness:

orange kitten, little fawn, Louis Armstrong, friendship.

Today Post::belling the cat?

Today I have for you a graceful Art Nouveau bell with a compact yet sinuous cat as its handle. You’ll find it at The State Hermitage Museum, and while it hasn’t any info as to its provenance or even what it’s made of, the website has a neat feature that turns it all round for a 360-degree view. Enjoy.

Today Post::Average Cost of Pet Ownership

Pet …………….First year cost ………Annual cost
small dog ………1,050 …………………580
medium dog…. 1,260……………….. 695
large dog ……….1,435………………… 875
Cat……………….. 1,035 …………………670
Rabbit ……………1,055………………… 730
Guinea Pig ……….705………………… 635
Small Mammal… 340……………….. 300
Small Bird …………270 …………………200
Fish…………………… 235………………….. 35

Prices do not include adoption costs, tank set up for the fish, or purchase cost.
Source: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Today Post::more on the rabbit in the moon

In the last post I’d mentioned in passing the Indian tale of Lord Indra rewarding the sacrifice of a rabbit, which I’d never heard before and found touching. Looking for details, I turned up some more rabbit - moon links in an old book review:

The Hindus called the moon casin, or Sasanka, ” Marked with the Hare,” from the story of Sakya-muni (Buddha). This holy man in an early stage of his existence was a hare, and, when in company with an ape and a fox, was applied to by the god Indra, disguised as a beggar, who, wishing to test their hospitality, asked for food. All went in search for it, the hare alone returning unsuccessful; but that he might not fall short in duty to his guest, he had a fire built and cast himself into it for the latter’s supper. In return Indra rewarded him by a place in the moon, where we now see him. Other Sanskrit and Cingalese tales mention the palace of the king of the hares on the face of the moon; the Aztecs saw there the rabbit thrown by one of their gods; and the Japanese, the Jeweled Hare pounding omochi, their rice dough, in a mortar. Even the Khoikhoin, the Hottentots of South Africa, and the Bantus associated the hare and moon in their worship, and ! connected them in story, asserting that the hare, ill treated by the moon, scratched her face, and we still see the scratches. Eskimos think the moon a girl fleeing from her brother, the sun, because he had disfigured her face by ashes thrown at her; but in Greenland the sex of these luminaries is interchanged, and the moon pursues his sister, the sun, who daubs her sooty hands over his face. The Khasias of the Himalayas say that every month the moon falls in love with his mother-in-law, who very properly repulses his affection by throwing ashes at him.

–from Star Names and Their Meanings by Richard Hinckley Allen (New York: G. E. Stechert, 1899), reviewed in The Critic, vol. XXXIV no. 859, January 1899, p. 574.

Today Post::late breaking treat! cute little bunny cakes!

Actually cute little bunny manju, a Japanese treat made of flour wrapped round sweet bean filling. I stumbled upon these just as I was about to head out for the night, but thanks to an excellent blog named The Food Librarian, you get to dream whether to eat these or make squee-ing sounds of joy. Bunny cakes here! Mmmmm.

— Addendum: Rabbits and the moon go back to a legend from India telling of a bunny that hopped into a fire so starving people could eat, and was transported to the moon as a reward; as the story traveled over time and place, the Japanese version had the bunny pounding rice flour, or mochi. You might enjoy this page for a further look. Be sure and find the children’s song over to the right.

Today Post::the dainty dog: from 1902

A DAINTY dog had chanced to note
The breakfast of a greedy goat,—
Half-rotten grass, a shocking pile.
” Fie!” said the dog; ” what wretched style!
Good taste demands, you clownish beast,
A dish to eat from, at the least.
And as for food, that garbage foul
Would even make a camel scowl,
Would make a very buzzard groan,
Would ” Here the goat laid bare a bone,
Which when our dainty dog had spied,
“Your pardon, friend!” the critic cried;
“I’m quite near-sighted, neighbor mine.
I see your meal is fair and fine.
Invite me, pray, with you to dine!”

– from Amos R. Wells (illustrated by L.J. Bridgman), Rollicking Rhymes for Youngsters (New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1902) .

There’s one thing wrong with this poem — I haven’t met the dog yet that wouldn’t wholeheartedly roll in garbage instead of standing around criticizing it.

Today Post::pets eternal and otherwise: halloween

National Geographic, in time for Halloween, includes in the latest issue an article on Egypt’s animal mummies. The article is available here, as is an interactive map of many finds; but the lavish photo gallery you’ll find there is the biggest treat. There are cats, of course, and touching and beautiful they are. There are holy baboons, gold-embellished ibises, cattle wrapped up like linen puzzles, and even a shrew gets a cute tiny coffin in pale stone. Don’t miss the perfectly preserved hunting dog that was somebody’s beloved pet.

This short online “tour” at the British Museum (which has an excellent collection of mummies) includes, of all things, an eel.

And now to Skelanimals, which I have only discovered within the past week. As best I can figure these are sweet, cute animals who are no longer living thanks to mishaps, but want to be loved by someone with a warm heart (as the website says, “after all, they’re just bones”). As far as those mishaps go - wow. Quackee the Duck got turned into an entree after irritiating the farmer with her quacking (I could listen to ducks all day). Cecil the Snake got caught hunting for food in the marketplace and was skewered and grilled. Diego the Bat minced himself flying through razor wire. Kit drowned.
Personally, I find this fascinating: the Victorian sentimental take on death in a brand new junior-friendly guise. I keep forgetting death is back in (or is that “undeath”?) And you’d think they would be a terrible downer, but they are adorable.

Last but not least, I bring to you this bonus: the Ghost Chicken of Highgate, sacrificed for Sir Francis Bacon’s 17th-century researches in food cold storage. As it happens the chicken took Sir Francis with it, as he caught a fatal chill stuffing it with snow very early one April. Though Sir Francis was taken to the Earl of Arundel’s house nearby to warm up and rest, the bed he was given hadn’t been aired for a year and was too damp. He died of pneumonia. As for the Ghost Chicken, as recently as the 70’s this plucked and displeased fowl was dropping in unexpectedly. See another page on that here.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Today Post::a boy's heart

Christine Allen’s son Sam turned four fingers old on Tuesday. We’ve had the pleasure of watching him grow from a babe to a boy with a special connection with dogs, starting with his love for homegirl Izzy, then later as one of V-dog Teddle’s very first and bestest friends.

Sam’s been such a true heart to the dogs, so we weren’t surprised when we heard he was already giving healing hugs to newcomer Huckleberry. Happy Birthday Sam - and thank you. The world has so much to learn from your tender example.

Photo: Christine Allen

Today Post::Wanted: Crystal ball

These are the days when we sure could use a crystal ball. This sweet soul presented us with a new mystery when he came into Oakland Animal Services, shook up from his past misadventures. He sat in his run looking very forlorn while the days that his owner could come collect him him ticked away. Poor kid almost got lost in the hustle-bustle, such a quiet guy and all, swallowed in a shelter that’s being rocked with the challenges that come from staff shortages during an increase in intake numbers.

Somehow his little spirit found a way to stop us in our tracks. “Who are you?”, I asked. I blew through the kennel bars into his face; a rude greeting I give to dogs that we want to suss out. Many dogs offer full ecstatic wriggles when we do this. “Me! Me! Do it again!” Occasionally a dog will snarl and spit back, as if to say, “People have not been nice to me. GO AWAY!” But this guy, he stood very still, lifted his paw and licked his lip when he got hit with that rude greeting. Read: Big baby softie, asking for a connection.

We brought him into the trailer to stare at him. He’s a mess: Red, swollen toes … bleeding, yeasty ears…swollen glands…(very) old bite marks and strange red sores on some of his joints. He was having a hard time walking on those feet and looked like he needed to get under a blankie and drink ginger ale and watch old I Love Lucy re-runs.

“What happened to you, honey?” He just stared back, “I don’t feel good. Please hug me.”

Dogs live in the present moment, so we don’t really need a crystal ball to know when they need help now, but it sure would be nice to know more about how dogs like this came to such a crisis state. Of course we hugged him.

A visitor from Australia was with us and offered a new name for a new day. Huckleberry. Huck for short. Unfortunately our Ambassadog ward has been invaded by puppies while a veterinarian puzzles over a recent spread of dog germs. Huck was safe, but relegated to a noisy ward of wild barkers. He hunkered down, as if to wait out a loud thunderstorm. “Please. Get. Me. Outta. Here.” Shelter staff slathered his yeasty ears with medicine goo and filled him full of antibiotics while we strategized an exit plan.

Finally, on Sunday, his big day came. Josie Kat adopters Nafia and James drove up in their shiney red mustang, a fitting get-away car for a lovely boy. He’s off to foster care now, and while we may never know anything about his past, we’ll do our best to create a better future for him.

Stay tuned for news on the softie dog named Huck while we sort out his health issues and see about finding him a new home.

Today Post::An Update

I know it’s been forever since I’ve updated here ~ sorry.
Closing the store and getting rid of 4 years of stuff in the basement has kept me busy!
Just a quick update: the woman who was going to adopt Jazper never showed up.  To his benefit, the first few evenings with him in the apartment were less-stressful than I’d feared.  Last night he was a very Good Boy, but he is still locked up in the bathroom at night.  While I’m painting the store, he is still coming down with me.
Bella and Jack probably aren’t going any where.  The little rascals have weaseled their way into my heart.  So, for now, Eight Is Enough.

And everyone (except Spooker, but you can’t expect miracles) loves Eyad.  Especially Daphne, who was missing her daddy something terrible the past two years, since he left us.  She and Eyad have bonded and it’s great to see how affectionate she is with him.

Here’s a pic by Eyad for you to enjoy, until I can post again.  If you’d like to see more of his photography, check out his RedBubble Gallery.
Cheers,
NTM

Today Post::Halloween Not Good for Black Cats

The New Zealand Veterinary Association is warning trick-or-treaters to spare a thought for their pets this Saturday night.

Halloween is a bad time of year for black cats, with their long-standing connections with witches, hubble-bubble and evil.

Veterinarian Pieter Verhoek warned petowners to keep black cats away from children who might play pranks.

Reports of deliberate cruelty to black cats rise especially in the weeks around Halloween in Britain, the RSPCA animal charity said on Wednesday.

Verhoek said dogs should be restrained and protected from getting over-excited by a series of visitors to the front door which could result in someone getting bitten by accident.

Treats and trick-or-treating should also exclude pets, Verhoek advised.

“Lollies and chocolate are not good for cats and dogs, and in some instances can be toxic. Especially with chocolate, which can result in animals getting seriously sick or even dying. We do suggest that such treats are kept out of the reach of our pets.

“If the kids want to dress your dog or cat in a costume - please be sensible - ensure that the animals are comfortable and not restrained by unaccustomed clothing,” he said.

Today Post::dogs with what it takes

(Note: Thanks for the good wishes folks! I look forward to being healthy again. Not exactly yet though)

If you’ve been a Museum member for a while, you probably recall that I am a big fan of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation and have been since 9/11. Did you know that the dogs would get so sad finding no survivors that volunteers would hide in the wreckage pretending to be victims? Then the dogs would find someone alive and be happy that they had done a good job.

A dog needs a very particular set of gifts to be a good rescue dog. Today in my email I received the stories of two new champs: Riley of Santa Barbara, and Rex of Long Beach. I hope you’ll take a look at their stories and at the NDSDF website as a whole. This is an interesting and worthy look at how humans and dogs team together to use what they do best for a most important task.

Today Post::Tips for Holiday Travel with Your Pet

The winter holiday season is a time for family and friends to gather, often traveling a great distance to be together. Many families consider pets to be part of their family and choose to take them along. Traveling with pets is not always easy, especially when the family dog or cat experiences fear of travel, or motion sickness.

Some dogs resist getting into the car, giving out shrill yelps, while cats meow plaintively, salivating and drooling even before getting into the car. Some pets happily jump into the car, but the moment the engine starts and the car begins to move, their heads hang down and they start to drool, eventually getting sick after some distance. Others look out the window, flicking their heads in different direction as things move by, and quite rapidly they begin to drool and soon get sick.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that most long-distance holiday travel, about 91 percent, is by a personal vehicle, such as by car. Below are some helpful tips from HomeoPet to help make car rides more comfortable and safe for your pet, and your family:

Seat your pet securely in the car, either with a harness, crate or barrier.Allowing your pet to roam freely in the car can be dangerous for the pet and distracting for the driver. For pets with visual cue motion sickness, putting them down on the floor of the car where they cannot see out can often be very helpful.

If your pet is not accustomed to traveling in the car, take some short trips, gradually increasing his time to get him used to longer rides.Bring a favorite toy and blanket for comfort.

Your pet should have a very light meal in the three hours before travel.An empty stomach is usually more prone to nausea. Some pets will respond better on a reasonably full stomach, but if it comes up, it could mean a lot of cleaning. Keep pets hydrated with small amounts of water.

Make frequent stops, allowing pets time to exercise and relieve themselves. Be sure your pet is wearing identification tags or has a microchip in case he does run away or gets lost.

Never leave your pet in the car unattended. They can easily overheat, even when windows are left open. Always be careful with an open window—pets may jump out at the wrong time, or get stuck in them.

Be sure your pet's mandated vaccinations are up to date, and ask your vet for a health certificate to bring along. Pack any medications your pet might be taking, or might need in an emergency. Researching local veterinarians and emergency clinics in the area you intend to visit can save you valuable time in an emergency.

If your pet does experience motion sickness, use HomeoPet's Travel Anxiety before you begin your trip.

Tips courtesy of homeopet.com

Today Post::The Holidays are Coming!

Today Post::one-stop, hip cat shop

I regret to say that whatever flu it is I have keeps me from my usual hunting-gathering-curating activities.

But that’s not going to stop me from telling you to go look at Moderncat, a source for all things stylish+latest+coolest+cat. Check out the post on cat-o-lanterns!

Today Post::Vick: Still not sorry (we checked)

This coming Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles will be landing in - gulp - our hometown to play the Oakland Raiders. What to do? In the spirit of moving forward, we decided to invite Michael Vick to meet his victims while he’s here so he could look them in the eye and extend his apologies. Yeah we did. It was a tough situation to consider - but at some point we have to find some closure and move this man off of our emotional radar, right? It took five pins & needles days for him to say No. One can only imagine! the back and forth between his handlers about that little decision. (Right: V-dog Frodo)

Here’s the short version. And here’s our news release in full:

Vick refuses to meet former Bad Newz Kennel dogs while in Oakland

Late last week, Oakland based pit bull advocacy group BAD RAP invited Michael Vick to view eight of his former Bad Newz Kennels dogs from behind a window while in town for the Raiders game on October 18, but the offer was refused. The invitation was extended to allow Vick an opportunity to acknowledge the victims of the crimes he committed while running a dogfighting operation that employed torture and death as a means to punish underperforming dogs. Vick has indicated remorse for disappointing his fans, his family, his teammates and his coach, but has steered clear of mentioning his victim dogs in public statements.

BAD RAP Co-Founder, Tim Racer said: “Oakland is a town that welcomed Vick’s broken dogs with open arms back in 2007. We understand Vick is trying to right his wrongs and is very interested in redemption, but you can’t find redemption without acknowledging your victims. Making amends to the dogs themselves would have helped to create some closure for many of us, especially the people who worked so hard to keep them from being destroyed. It seems that Vick is not ready to go there.”

Pamela Browner-Crawley, public affairs director for the Philadelphia Eagles, relayed BAD RAP’s offer to Vick. To satisfy the conditions of Vick’s parole that bars him from being near animals, a location was identified that would allow him to view his former dogs from behind a window, at legal distance. On Wednesday, Crawley contacted BAD RAP to decline on behalf of Vick. Ignoring the fact that legalities would be followed, she explained, “Michael is not allowed to be around dogs by a court order, so logistically and legally, your plan can’t work.”

“We were fairly certain that he would decline our invitation, given his continued refusal to make mention of his dogs,” said Racer. “The unfortunate thing is that his new position of compassion towards animals would be so much more credible if he could actually say that he looked his victims in the eye and said, “I’m sorry.”

So, who’s surprised?

Actions speak louder

If you’re looking to join an action at Sunday’s game, In Defense of Animals is calling for people to join them in a peaceful protest at the Oakland Coliseum Sunday, October 18 from 12-2pm to let the Eagles know that Vick is not welcome in Oakland. Their news release.

We’ll be there - sort of. You’ll see.
_____________

Thanks to SJ Mercury News sports writer Mark Purdy for asking about the dogs this week. We love Kim Ramirez’s quotes, and I blew soda out my nose with Marthina’s sock puppet comment. The Aftermath of Vick

ONE MORE DAY to vote for your favorite dog in the ‘My Dog is Family’ Photo Contest! We end at midnight on Thursday, October 15.

Today Post::out in Iowa and back at home in Oakland

There are always so many unspoken heroes behind the scenes of those larger criminal cases involving dog fighters. They stay in the background while making us look good by helping us get the dogs to safety. I was glad when Rita Mason (below) and Scott Wilson gave us the okay to tell people who they are.

Rita is your federal government, ladies and gentleman: US Marshals Service, Southern District of Iowa. And not only did she search out help for the bust dogs that landed in her state, she rooted for each dog during their evaluations and even had her heart broken when a favorite male showed some troubled behavior. (Read: She wept) Scott Wilson, Operations Manager of Animal Rescue League of Iowa, is another helper who was rooting for the dogs. His shelter does not adopt out pit bulls, so it was extra special to have his and his staff’s (Karen!) suppor! t. He smoothed our visit to the Des Moines shelter in a big way, stayed through almost every evaluation and hugged on every dog that ended up near his lap.

Thanks also to Maureen McGuire, Assistant U.S. Attorney, for bringing our recommendations to the judge and securing the dogs’ release. And to Shane Bunn, Assistant Counsel to the Inspector General USDA, for contract help.

This group of dogs they’ve been focusing their energies on are so very important because they represent a teeny bit of hope to this state that’s littered with a whole lotta bad news for pit bulls including breed restrictions and bans. So helping their bust dogs became a mission to help more than just the bust dogs: It meant demonstrating to Iowans that pit bulls matter, including the ones that most would cancel out without a second thought. We knew we had to get involved, but we didn’t know how we would be received until we met these big hearts during our visit. What a pleasure.

A Positive from Iowa News - News Video
This past Sunday, four of the dogs left their kennels for good. This report documenting their departure gave me goosebumps. A Rotta Love Plus made the nine hour round trip to gather up the dogs they’d selected during evaluations and staffy bull devotee Kristi Johnson came to collect Ernie, a goofy little cannonball on four legs. Check out the quotes in the news piece - inspired. We’re just so proud of all these good people.

(Note: We’re currently working to get some lucky Iowa dogs to CA.)

Back in Oakland…

Here’s a screen grab of the banner we flew over the Oakland Coliseum on Sunday. There’s a story behind this thing: Turns out that the local FAA rep put so much pressure on the pilot to kill this message that the pilot caved and refused the job at the very last minute. We have to wonder if this rep was a big football fan. After all, as Christine Allen reminded us, chilling first amendment rights is a big no-no. We were in a pinch at that final hour but the pilot’s partner is a dog lover and felt so bad about leaving us out in the cold that he contacted his competito! r and asked if they would do it instead. It’s interesting how many people seem to want to quiet the outrage against Vick’s return. Even more interesting when a federal agency does the chilling.

BR adopter Dona Fong was at the game and reported back on the drama: “There was a lot of clapping and shouting for the positive when the Bad Rap plane flew over. I did go into the game because most of the protesters did not and I wanted to keep the protest alive once the game started. Whenever Vick came on to the playing field, which wasn’t much cause he sucked, the crowd would boo, bark and many shouted dog killer. As I walked through the crowd with my Bad Rap t-shirt on ( “It’s about the dogs, Justice for the Vick-tims”), many people gave me thumbs up, or shouted “I love my pit bull” and; several made comments like Vick is a Dick or Vick sucks. I had a few heated conversations with some idiots who tried really hard to defend him by saying it was a mistake. I said a mistake is adding 5 + 5 = 9. I said what Vick did was premeditated murder of innocent animals who’s only crimes were they were too nice to fight - defend tha! t. Anyway, it was a good day for Oakland and for our beloved dogs. I bet Vick won’t forget his visit here anytime soon.”

Thank you for your showing your cajones, Dona. We love knowing that our hometown didn’t decide to pick its navel when the Eagles came to town.

Today Post::just elizabeth

She looks so sweet there, doesn’t she? And then she woke up. ; )

Today Post::kitten on the (electronic) keys

Why do synthesizer enthusiasts gravitate towards cats as pets/sidekicks? It’s been discussed, with varying results.

This is another one of those niches that took me by surprise - every time I think I surely must have played out (unintentional Keyboard Cat reference) every known avenue of pet culture, something pops out of left field. But looking in from outside, the start of the cat/synth synthesis (ahem) was surely the Octave/Plateau Cat Synthesizer, manufactured from 1977-81. This fortunate naming made for some jolly ads. Then there’s the well known attributes cats have of being curious, light on their feet and nimble with their paws. How often does your puppy scramble up to the keyboard? Not so much? You can enjoy a blog all about cats and electronic keyboards at CatSynth.

One discussion thread dropped the name “Wendy Carlos,” the Moog music pioneer who scored the movies Tron and A Clockwork Orange. Why? Well, probably that Siamese draped blissfully over her shoulder on her homepage for starters, though she includes much, much more on her cats and other pets.

Today Post::axis bold as mutts

If you’re a Mutts fan, as I very much am, perhaps you’ve wondered at Patrick McDonnell’s title panels every Sunday. There’s something. . . familiar about some of those panels, though they often have little or nothing to do with the rest of the cartoon.

There’s a reason for that! McDonnell often bases his Title Panels on works of art and design that we’ve all seen through the years - for example, my current favorite, from the 1967 cover for The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s Axis: Bold as Love.

You’ll find a selection at the Mutts website here - click on the panel to see the inspiration. Can you find the “Magritte,” or the “Captain Beefheart - Trout Mask Replica” ?

Today Post::SECOND ANNUAL PET ‘NET EVENT

Pet-Centric Bloggers & Site Editors To Raise Voices In Unison To Shine Spotlight on Pet Safety

Organizer Petside.com To Feature Event Hub At www.petside.com/pet-net-2009

New York, NY (October 15, 2009)—In an effort to heighten awareness about critical issues related to pet safety, Petside.com (http://www.petside.com), the popular online destination for pet owners and pet enthusiasts from NBC Digital Networks, has organized a consortium of some of the Web's favorite pet-focused sites to launch the Pet 'Net Safety Event on Wednesday, October 21.

On this date, each participating site and weblog will highlight content devoted to the important topic of pet safety, with Petside.com hosting a comprehensive one-page hub (www.petside.com/pet-net-2009) with links to all of the special coverage. Additionally, Petside will join forces with the Associated Press to conduct a poll and collect data on people's behavior and attitudes related to the safety of their pets, the results of which will be released on October 21.

“Common household dangers threaten our pets on a daily basis,” said Joshua Fried, Director of Petside.com. "By raising our collective voice at once, we hope The Pet 'Net Safety Event will help focus some much-needed attention to these important issues."

The inaugural Pet 'Net Event took place in October 2008 and successfully employed the combined reach of a more than dozen websites to raise awareness about animal shelter adoption. This year, participating writers will focus their efforts around issues related to pet safety. Topics covered will range from holiday dangers to travel safety to first aid tips. Sites slated to participate in the second annual event include:

• Aarff.com (http://aarff.com/)
• About.com Cats (http://cats.about.com)
• About.com Dogs (http://dogs.about.com)
• About.com Veterinary Medicine (http://vetmedicine.about.com)
• Altoona Mirror's Have Dog, Will Blog (http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/blogs.listAll/display/30.html)
• Baltimore Sun’s Unleashed (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/)
• Daily Dog Scoop (http://dailydogscoop.blogspot.com)
• Examiner.com National Pet News (http://www.examiner.com/x-1028-Pet-News-Examiner)
• Houston Pet Talk (http://www.houstonpettalk.com/)
• Love Meow (http://LoveMeow.com)
• Paw Nation (ttp://www.pawnation.com/)
• PetDoc.com (http://www.petdoc.com)
• The Pet Haven (http://the-pet-haven.blogspot.com)
• PetiQuette (http://amyshojai.livejournal.com)
• Petopia (http://www.thestarryeye.typepad.com/pets)
• PetPeoplesPlace (http://www.petpeoplesplace.c! om)
• Pets Channel of MarthaStewart.com (http://marthastewart.com/pets)
• PetsitUSA (http://www.petsitusa.com)
• Polka Dot Pup (http://www.polkadotpup.blogspot.com)
• Romeo the Cat (http://www.romeothecat.com)
• She Scribes (http://www.SheScribes.com)
• Thoughts Fur Paws (http://thoughtsfurpaws.com)
• Timi Talks (http://timitalks.com)
• YouPet (http://www.youpet.com)
• Zoolatry (http://zoolatry.blogspot.com)

About Petside.com
Petside.com (www.petside.com) was created by NBC Digital Networks, in partnership with Procter & Gamble Productions, Inc., as a comprehensive source of information and services that helps pets and their owners get the most out of life. Offering customized content and a highly personalized experience, Petside.com is ranked among the top 5 pet Web sites and offers unique editorial features, expert Q&A’s, tools and how-to videos.