N.J. pets welcome at hurricane evacuation shelters

Good Job Governor Chris Christy!!

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerMaryellen Small of Beachwood, a volunteer for the Ocean County Animal Response Team, carries supplies past a stack of pet carriers at the Red Cross shelter at the Poland Spring Arena in Toms River, where they are preparing for residents of Seaside, along with their pets, who have nowhere to go after evacuating ahead of hurricane Irene.

EWING — New Jersey pet owners are welcome along with their furry friends at the state’s hurricane evacuation shelters.

Gov. Chris Christie said the state is prepare to welcome cats and dogs to the emergency shelters of last resort meant for people.

"No one should be staying in their homes in an endangered area because they feel like they can’t bring their pets with them," Christie said.

But, he warned, pet owners should come with all the supplies needed to care for their pets.

"I can’t believe as governor I’m actually having to say this, bring the kitty litter box and you know the pooper-scooper and all the rest of that stuff," Christie said.

Christie: Pets welcome at state shelters Gov. Chris Christie said today people will not be turned away from state shelters if they bring their pets, but warned residents to also bring the kitty litter and the pooper scooper. (Megan DeMarco/The Star-Ledger) Watch video

Related:  Hurricane Irene weakens, still expected to strike N.J. as a Category 1 storm

Source:  NJ.com

WOOF: Cats & Dogs (any pets) can get stressed when there is tension, stress &/or arguing between human household members (and will be worse in a shelter situation). So be kind to one another!!

Finger Monkeys… or Pygmy Marmosets

So cute and funny, these are small primates, finger sized. They are also known by the names ‘pocket monkey’ and ‘tiny lion’. These mini monkey marmosets belong to the family Callitrichidae, species Cebuella and genus C. pygmaea. They are native to rain-forests of Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia. They are fun to watch, there are a couple at the San Diego zoo. They are delightful creatures.

I wonder if there are tiny bananas for them… just kidding!

h/t to Squidoo!!

FRIENDSHIP OR LOVE ♥ PRIJATELJSTVO ILI LJUBAV

Video: FRIENDSHIP OR LOVE ♥ PRIJATELJSTVO ILI LJUBAV

PETA Killed 95 Percent of Adoptable Pets in its Care During 2008

Hypocritical Animal Rights Group’s 2008 Disclosures Bring Pet Death Toll To 21,339

WASHINGTON DC – Today the nonprofit Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) published documents online showing that People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) killed 95 percent of the adoptable pets in its care during 2008. Despite years of public outrage over its euthanasia program, the animal rights group kills an average of 5.8 pets every day at its Norfolk, VA headquarters.

According to public records from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, PETA killed 2,124 pets last year and placed only seven in adoptive homes. Since 1998, a total of 21,339 dogs and cats have died at the hands of PETA workers.

Despite having a $32 million budget, PETA does not operate an adoption shelter. PETA employees make no discernible effort to find homes for the thousands of pets they kill every year. Last year, the Center for Consumer Freedom petitioned Virginia’s State Veterinarian to reclassify PETA as a slaughterhouse.

CCF Research Director David Martosko said: “PETA hasn’t slowed down its hypocritical killing machine one bit, but it keeps browbeating the rest of society with a phony ‘animal rights’ message. What about the rights of the thousands of dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens that die in PETA’s headquarters building?”

Martosko added: “Since killing pets is A-OK with PETA, why should anyone listen to their demands about eating meat, using lab rats for medical research, or taking children to the circus?”

CCF obtained PETA’s “Animal Record” filings since 1998 from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Members of the public can see these documents at PetaKillsAnimals.com.

(Skeptical? Click here to see the documents.)

In addition to exposing PETA’s hypocritical record of killing defenseless animals, the Center for Consumer Freedom has publicized the animal rights group’s ties to violent activists, and shed light on its aggressive message-marketing to children.

The Center for Consumer Freedom is a nonprofit coalition supported by restaurants, food companies, and consumers, working together to promote personal responsibility and protect consumer choices.
For media comment, contact our media department at 202-463-7112 ext. 115

Source: Center for Consumer Freedom

HEART-WRENCHING IMAGE: DOG KEEPS WATCH OVER FALLEN SEAL’S CASKET DURING FUNERAL

Petty Officer Jon T. Tumilson was laid to rest Friday in Rockford, Iowa, where an estimated 1,500 mourners came to pay respects for the fallen Navy SEAL, including his dog Hawkeye. In fact, Hakeye’s loyalty to his owner at the funeral was visible, creating a heart-wrenching image as he laid down by the casket of his owner during the entire service:

(Photo credit: Lisa Pembleton)

KIMT-TV captured the scene on video:  HERE

The 35-year-old Tumilson died Aug. 6, when a rocket-propelled grenade disabled the helicopter he was in. It crashed, killing 30 Americans and eight Afghans. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Defense Meritorious Service Medal.

“‘Hawkeye is/was his loyal ‘son’,” wrote Tumilson’s cousin Lisa Pembleton in an email to The Blaze.  ”To say that he was an amazing man doesn’t do him justice. The loss of Jon to his family, military family and friends is immeasurable.”

Fellow Navy SEALS told KIMT-TV that Jon was someone with unmatched work ethic and character.

Last week hundreds of people were out at the airport to welcome the plane that returned his remains home, video from Northern Iowa Today:

Video:  Slain Soldier Comes Home

Perry Beeman of the Des Moines Register writes that Tumilson wrote a class paper when he was 15 about how he wanted to spend the next 20 years as a Navy SEAL:

“‘J.T. was going to be a Navy SEAL come hell or high water,’ friend Scott Nichols said of Tumilson, who was born in Osage on July 1, 1976, the nation’s bicentennial year, and grew up in Rockford.

Outside the service at the Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock gym, two cranes hoisted a huge U.S. flag in Tumilson’s honor.

‘If J.T. had known he was going to be shot down when going to the aid of others, he would have went anyway,’ said Boe Nankivel, another friend.

Tumilson leaves behind parents George and Kathleen, sisters Joy and Kristie, many nieces, nephews and cousins, and of course, Hawkeye.

A relative of Tumilson wrote to the Blaze that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Frogman238 Memorial Fund, First Security Bank and Trust, 201 West Main Ave., Rockford, Iowa 50468, (641)756-3361, to honor Tumilson’s memory.

(H/T: Fresh 1025 radio) -  Reposted at the Blaze

This is an amazing story of loyalty and love and when you read stories like this you have to wonder how smart dogs… pets… animals… really are!  There was a study showing that ‘Dogs Have The Intelligence of a Human Toddler’ I believe that is true for some measurable abilities, but I think their intelligence is probably much higher in other areas when you hear about dogs who find their families clear across the country and even clear across the world, who pine away from loneliness for their owners, who figure out that concepts like riding the subway (like in Moscow to find food and to keep them out of the cold in the winter) and who sit and wait for their owners at train stations for their owners to return. And we know that dogs (animals) have heightened senses (like smell) that far surpass human’s.  We are also realizing and seeing, like in the touching story above that animals’ loyalty, compassion and feelings or sensitivities for humans and other animals are much greater than most people have given them credit for.

They often fight for us, serve us in many ways, make us smile, protect us, inspire us and most of all love us…

I recently had someone say to me, “I’m at the top of the food chain and therefore I eat first and deserve the best of what we have and then the pets get what is left!”  (It is also how she treats the people who work for her!) At our house we all share since I cook for our dogs and sometimes they get the best of what there is in the house that day because they can’t eat the other.  I prayed for that women!  But I really prayed for her dog… and all those out there who have it much worse.

Update:  Retired Disabled Military Dog Rocky Has Been Saved!

12 companies that let you bring your dog to work

Working like a dog

Allowing dogs at the office can be beneficial to a company’s bottom line. Benefits of dogs in the workplace include increased morale and productivity, happier employees, lower absenteeism rates and even improved relationships among co-workers. A recent study out of Central Michigan University reveals that dogs in the workplace can lead to more trust between co-workers and that leads to more collaboration among team members.

A 2006 survey from The American Pet Product Manufacturers Association (APPMA) reports that nearly one in five American companies allows pets in the workplace. The following 12 companies are just a few of the thousands of dog-friendly workplaces across the U.S. (Text: Melissa Hincha-Ownby)

Replacements, Ltd.

Did you just break a plate from Grandma’s beloved antique china set? If so, Replacements, Ltd. may be able to save the day. The company is the go-to place to find a missing piece of fine china, crystal or silver. One would think that china and dogs wouldn’t be a good mix, but Replacements, Ltd. has been a dog-friendly workplace for years. A news release from 2003 touts the relaxed, blue-jeans atmosphere where more than 30 employees have brought their furry friends to work. The company has also been featured in articles about dogs in the workplace by both USA Today and CBS News.

Google

Google is home to one of the most employee-friendly workplaces in the world. Employees can eat lunch at one of the company’s free gourmet cafes, visit the onsite hair salon or laundry center, get a massage — and bring their dog to work. Google’s dog policy provides employees with a basic set of guidelines including cleaning up after the dog makes and being mindful of allergic co-workers. The Google Code of Conduct specifically addresses cats at work, and the news is not good for feline fans: "Google’s affection for our canine friends is an integral facet of our corporate culture. We like cats, but we’re a dog company, so as a general rule we feel cats visiting our offices would be fairly stressed out."

P&G Pet Care

Iams and Eukanuba are just two of the many brands under the Procter & Gamble label. Employees of P&G’s Pet Care division in the Cincinnati area are welcome to bring their dogs to work every day, not just on Take Your Dog To Work Day. The company even has a V.P. of Canine Communications, Euka (pictured right). Euka, a cross between a Labrador retriever and a Bernese mountain dog, will be retiring next year after eight years of service. P&G Pet Care recently announced that Pawl Griffin (left), a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, is already in training to jump into the V.P. role.

Ben & Jerry’s

If you’re an ice cream lover, Ben & Jerry’s offer to employees of three free pints of ice cream, frozen yogurt or sorbet every day is a big perk. If you’re also a dog lover, Ben & Jerry’s could be the ideal place to work because you can bring your pooch to the office. Sean Greenwood, public relations spokesperson for the company, describes what interviewees may see when they visit the company, "If they sit in the lobby for a few minutes, they’re more than likely to see a dog going outside. I’ll say, ‘Oh yeah, we’re a dog-friendly place. It’s part of the tour. This is the design department — Momo is there; Jack is in R&D, Allison’s in retail, Scout is brand new … ‘ They’re just like your co-workers."

Autodesk

Autodesk employees are offered a generous benefits package including a six-week paid sabbatical every four years, paid time off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day, discounts on a variety of group insurance options and, of course, the option of bringing their dogs to work. About 5 percent of the company’s nearly 7,000 employees take advantage of this benefit. According to Michael Oldenburg, Autodesk spokesman, "Having a pet also encourages employees to take breaks during the day that they may not take if they didn’t have a pet."

Build-A-Bear Workshop

Build-A-Bear Workshop has taken a love for stuffed animals to a new level — children of all ages can visit a Build-A-Bear Workshop and create a custom stuffed animal to cherish forever. The company’s love of animals goes beyond the stuffed kind, however. Employees at the World Bearquarters (a.k.a. the world headquarters) can bring their dogs to work. The company even has a chief executive dog, Milford, who celebrates his birthday every year by throwing a grand party for the other company dogs. Build-A-Bear Workshop’s dog-friendly workplace policy is just one reason the company has been named one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For three years in a row.

Klutz

Klutz’s product line includes fun crafts, drawing books, games, puzzles, chicken socks and more. The company, which was founded in 1977 in Palo Alto, Calif., had a rather casual approach to allowing dogs in the workplace. Klutz co-founder John Cassidy shared his story with Carrie Boyko of the All Things Dog Blog, who wrote: "When an employee with a well-behaved dog expressed interest in having his furry friend tag along to work, John felt there was no particular reason not to okay it." And with that, Klutz joined the growing list of dog-friendly employers.

Humane Society

Believe it or not, the Humane Society headquarters facility in Gaithersburg, Md., didn’t become a dog-friendly workplace until 2007. While one would have expected the Humane Society to be a leader in the dogs-at-work movement, the organization took its time to ensure that everything was done right. To bring their dog to work, employees must submit an application. Once the application is approved, vaccinated dogs are placed on a six-week probation. If everything goes well, the dog can become a permanent member of the workplace. The organization’s careful planning has paid off; since its inception four years ago, no dogs have been removed from the program.

Amazon

Internet retail giant Amazon is also a dog-friendly workplace. Visitors to the company’s corporate headquarters in Seattle can expect to find between two and three dozen dogs on any given day. Any employee interested in bringing a pet to work must first register the animal as a workplace dog, ensure that the dog is up-to-date on vaccinations and once in the workplace, the dog must remain on a leash unless it is behind a baby gate or in an office with a closed door.

Clif Bar & Company

Clif Bar operates its business based on five aspirations: sustaining our planet, sustaining our community, sustaining our people, sustaining our business and sustaining our brands. Part of the sustaining our people aspiration is allowing employees to bring their dogs to work. Clif Bar’s furry friends are featured in the company’s blog from time to time — including a story about Scrubby, who made off with someone’s bagel during a company meeting. Clif Bar’s dog-friendly workplace policy helped the company earn a spot on Outside magazine’s Best Places to Work of 2010 list.

Four Dog Enterprises

Four Dog Enterprises provides PR and ‘Girl Friday’ services and the owner is also a blogger (including Just One More Pet), freelancer, ghost writer and author who named her company for her four pups.  Much of the employees’ work can be and is done from home, but they are in the office about 50% of the time and bringing their dogs into the office helps the creative juices flow for many of them.  For major meetings and project days the pups are often entertained by a doggie daycare pal who comes to the office to spend the day with them. The only real requirement is that the dogs have their basic shots and get along. One of the pups’ favorite activities is greeting the mailman.

Source: Mother Nature Network – Cross Posted at Just One More Pet and at Ask Marion

Is a Bark Just a Bark???

Is bark just a bark??  Just making noise?  Or does it mean something?

Baying means your dog is on the chase, whining means she’s frustrated, howling means he’s calling the pack, growling when playing means she’s playing tough, growling when confronting someone means he’s mad, and yipping means she’s hurt. Loud barking often combined with growling means there is an intruder, they are afraid or there is something they are warning you about or protecting themselves from.

Some dogs actually do what sounds like talking and some howl… or as we like to call it at our house… sing!

Listen to the message in each of your dog’s subtle and distinct vocalizations. And remember, barking is normal for dogs.  It is how they communicate… their form of talking.

Singing!!

Ask Marion~  -  Photos by the UCLA Shutterbug

Update: Retired disabled military dog Rocky Has Been Saved!

Retired disabled military dog Rocky dies if not adopted; UPDATE: Rocky is saved!

Photo: Gloria Hillard/NPR

Pets for Patriots is a small charity, but we were able to mobilize 42,393 people* to save Rocky, a three-tour Iraq war canine veteran (*as of 8:15pm ET 8/18/11).

Your donations are needed to save more pets like Rocky: dogs and cats who will never become an overnight internet sensation or have major news media vying to tell their tale. These “last chance” pets – adult and other at-risk shelter dogs and cats – face near-certain death if not adopted. We connect them to veterans and service members who need a new pet friend, arrange access to reduced cost veterinary care and provide direct financial support towards the purchase of pet food and other basics. Your tax-deductible gift is necessary to help us save the next Rocky and, in so doing, transform the life of the veteran who chose to Be A Pet’s Hero^TM.

UPDATE 8/18/11 9:25 AM ET: ROCKY IS SAVED!! We have been informed that Rocky will be adopted. Please DO NOT CALL Camp Pendleton, Lackland AFB or Pets for Patriots regarding his case; we are all overloaded with a deluge of inquiries about his plight. THANK YOU to all who have answered Rocky’s call and helped to assure his final years will be spent with a loving family.

*****

Rocky is a retired military dog who will be put down on August 24 if he’s not adopted. He served three tours in Iraq and desperately needs a loving home to enjoy his final years. Pets for Patriots is responding to a request to help create awareness of this veteran’s plight. We have spoken to authorities at Camp Pendleton in San Diego and confirmed this story.

Rocky currently lives at Camp Pendleton, his home base since entering the Marine Corps in 2004. He served three tours in Iraq between 2004 and 2007 as a patrol and explosives dog, and returned to the states. We had previously noted that his last handler was killed in theater, but have since been advised that is not the case. However, since returning to the U.S., he has not had a steady handler, but has continued to serve on base until March of this year. By that time, a degenerative condition rendered him unable to work and he was retired. Typically an ex-military K9 will be adopted by his handler, but Rocky has no handler to call his own.

The base kennels are not suitable to provide the type of ongoing care and attention that Rocky needs and deserves. And without an individual or family to adopt him, he will be put down. He was recently featured in an article about military dogs enjoying a bright future after service, but that’s not the case for him.

Because Rocky is a retired patrol dog, military protocol does not permit him to be surrendered to a shelter.

Like most military working dogs, Rocky is independent, but he has a sweet temperament and enjoys relaxing in the sun. As a result of his disability, he uses a canine wheelchair and needs assistance to do “his business.” He would do best in a family that can devote a lot of time to him, and that has no small children or other animals. As with many military canines, Rocky shows slight dog aggression. More than anything, Rocky needs someone who honors his service, and who will love and accept him.

Rocky is nine years, nine months old with these known medical conditions:

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/Enlarged prostate
Mild hip dysplasia L coxofemoral joint, grade I
Bilateral coxofemoral DJD (mild)
Bilateral neurologic defecits rear legs – degenerative myelopathy
Pressure/kennel sores

P.S.: Our thanks to Military.com for sharing Rocky’s story in a hot rush!

P.P.S.: We welcome your comments, but if you use profanity or threaten another user you will be removed and blocked.

Source: Pets for Patriots

Another… Why dogs Bit People ;-)

It Is So Hot Here… My Dog Is Melting!! ;-)

Let us not forget that the heat can last through October in the US, depending on the year and the part of the country you are in.  And this year the heat has been horrible.  Please do not leave your pets or children in the car unattended for any reason… for any length of time, even minutes.  Temperatures in the car, even with the windows cracked can reach high enough levels to cause brain damage and death very quickly! 

And if you see that a pet, a child or elderly person is left unattended in a vehicle or a truck bed, please call the police, animal control, the fire department or other emergency services. Immediately and break the window if help does not come within minutes or you perceive danger for the victim.  Also offer water while you wait for help if possible.

Video: Idiots Leave Dogs Unattended in Heat Wave

Cruelty Alert: Pets Suffering from Heatstroke in Parked Cars

Temperatures Are Rising: Be a Dog Defender: Help Save Animals This Summer!  Cool Ideas for Hot Dogs -  Please be proactive and vocal… you could be saving a life and definitely saving animals of a lot of suffering!!

Call the ASPCA, Humane Society, etc. for ‘Pets in Hot Cars flyers’ (like the one above) to keep in your glovebox to give out when appropriate, or make and design one yourself. And please distribute them in your neighborhood to help educate people about the danger of leaving pets in hot cars.

Please step up for abused and neglected pets and animals.  Help them and be their voice.  Call the authorities if you suspect a problem.  It is always better to err on the pet’s or animal’s (or child’s) side!  And always call animal services or the police if you see a pet locked in a car and/or out in a yard where it has no access to shade and water!  More animals die from ignorant, neglectful and cruel owners than from diseases!!

‘Dogs Have The Intelligence of a Human Toddler’

Help Save Lives!

Posted by Ask Marion at JOMP