Here's a sweet miraculous story of hope during an Oklahoma tornado... –Kim
Now that Hurricane Sandy is behind us, here's a great article on how to be prepared... –Kim
Make plans to ensure your pet's safety before, during and after an emergency. The following are organizations and resources that you can contact or access to help you plan how to protect your pets.
Find out what your community's plans and resources are for protecting pets in an emergency. The following are considered key resources for planning how to ensure your pets' safety before an emergency:
Pet Travel and Lodging Resources
Long-lost Virginia Dog Reappears Eight Years Later...
It must have been an incredible journey, with all the makings of a holiday blockbuster.
Pruitt and her family are keen that the reunion take place soon.
Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it helpful! –Kim
Unlikely Behavior?
March 9, 2012 by Cindi
This normally surprises people, but it's true: if your dog is lost, your pet will probably run AWAY from you when he or she sees you. Yes, you read that correctly. If lost, your dog, the animal you raised since birth, will bolt in the opposite direction from where you are.
Your dog will run from you instead of to you because your dog will be in survival mode, not because he or she doesn't love you. You see, after three or four days on the loose, a dog's priorities start to change. A dog will reorder what's important to the following sequence:
Get the word out by using flyers and signs (like yard sale signs) with a picture of your dog and your phone number. (Check your phone often!) Go door-to-door with your flyer in the neighborhood where your dog was last seen.
Here's a super article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it heroic! –Kim
Dog Who Survived Against All Odds Spends His Life Helping Others
By: Maria Goodavage
January 26, 2012
Now He Could Use a Helping Paw for His Web Video Series
Today Dogster brings you the heartwarming rags-to-riches dog story of Tugg, a Bull Terrier who got off to an incredibly horrendous start in life, was rescued and nurtured and loved back from the brink of death by a very caring couple, and who now spends his life helping others, and doing so with a loving smile. His people call it "wuffing it forward," and they do it in abundance.
Tugg is now hoping to star in his own 15-episode Web series. If it gets funding, he will portray a superhero (well, he is a superhero, really), with Webisodes focusing on important issues like dog rescue, bullying, discrimination, self-esteem, proper pet care, adoption and shelter conditions.
It's a series designed to reach all audiences, from young children, who are most open to these teachable moments, to adults who are looking for something fun and different.
If you like the idea of this, you can actually be a superhero who helps make this happen. Tugg's people work as animal control officers in Fort Worth, Texas. They're not made of money. The series will cost about $8,000 to make. They want to make this so badly, but they can't bear the financial burden.
So they've created a Kickstarter project in hopes of raising the money to support the project. Anyone can donate. Any amount is greatly appreciated, and all of it will go toward the multiple expenses of making a good Web series. (If they don't reach the goal of $8k, the money does not get sent. Let's hope that does not happen!) And there are incentives as well. Check out the Kickstarter page for Tugg's project and sniff around for how you can participate. Right now they're at about $2,700, and they have until Feb. 14 to reach the goal. The clock is ticking.
What follows is a Dogster interview with Blake Ovard, one of Tugg's folks. It runs pretty long for a Web Q&A, because you'll really get to know this dog and his people, and everything they have done and continue to do for so many dogs and people.
Blake: The sun was setting on a typically hot and muggy evening, just a couple of days after July 4, 2010, in Fort Worth, Texas when the call came in to police dispatch – a badly burned puppy was wrapped in a blanket and staked down beside a busy six-lane road. A single word, "dog," was scrawled on a small sign attached to the stake that held the blanket and puppy in place.
The shelter staff put out calls to local rescue groups and tried to make sure the small Bull Terrier had what he needed. Everyone waited, hoping a rescue would come in and treat this puppy who, even though he couldn't see, would inch his way to the front of the cage whenever he heard human voices close by.
Yes, Kim called me crying, and said we can't do that. I agreed. We didn't know how we would pay for the medical expenses, but this puppy deserved a chance.
There were only a dozen or so of our friends following Tugg's progress on his page the first days. His daily pupdates included a little about how he was doing with his treatments and a little about what he had gotten into that day, if anything. Each day was a new day for Tugg, and he saw the world through his newly opened eyes in a way that was full of wonder and amazement.
Tugg's page is a page of hope and wuff – his word for love. People come to get inspired, uplifted, supported, motivated and accepted for who they truly are. It's a page of positive energy, happiness, empowerment, turning negatives into positives, and focusing on the can-dos in life. There is no obstacle Tugg can't overcome, and he always tries to see the good in every situation. Sometimes you'll be moved to tears, others to laughter. Tugg promotes kindness, charity, philanthropy, responsible pet ownership, wuff and social responsibility.
I think we knew right away that Tugg was special. From the time he was in the shelter, he had that special spark. On top of that, we are reminded almost daily what a special dog he is. Because we put Tugg's e-mail address on his Facebook page, we frequently get messages from his friends. Some have become close friends to us as well.
Tugg organized a pet food drive for a local animal shelter and coordinated the effort with the Brotherhood of the Third Wheel, a local motorcycle organization composed of riders who drive trikes, and brought in more than 2,500 pounds of dry pet food.
We were contacted by a couple of producers in Los Angeles who wanted to talk with us about any plans we might have for Tugg. At the time, we didn't have any plans as far as movies or series or anything like that. Over several phone calls, we understood that they weren't asking from a profit standpoint, but were asking because they supported Tugg's message – since they had been following him on Facebook.
The beautiful way that Kickstarter works can also work against some projects. With Kickstarter, it's an all-or-nothing deal. People pledge the amount they will donate if the project makes the goal. For us, the goal is $8,000 – which, like I said, goes for filming and animation. If the goal is made, then the donations go through and the project is funded. All of the money goes through Amazon, so everyone is protected every step of the way. If the goal isn't made, then no money changes hands. It's as simple as that.
Stray Pit Bull Saves Woman, Child from AttackerNovember 5, 2008
A dog came out of nowhere and stopped a knife-wielding robber from accosting a mother and her young son.
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The wandering 65-pound Pit Bull mix might have seemed menacing to some passerby, but one woman will always remember him as her "guardian angel."
The dog, which authorities think is lost and not a stray, successfully thwarted a robbery attack on a mother and her 2-year-old son, who were held at knifepoint Monday afternoon.
The Florida woman, who has been identified by authorities simply as "Angela," was leaving a playground with her toddler son in Port Charlotte when a man approached her in the parking lot with a knife and told her not to make any noise or sudden movements.
Angela didn't have to do either to protect herself and her child – a dog mysteriously ran to the scene and charged the man, who quickly fled.
"I don't think the dog physically attacked the man, but he went at him and was showing signs of aggression, just baring his teeth and growling and barking. It was clear he was trying to defend this woman," Animal Control Lt. Brian Jones told Pet Pulse.
"I don't know what this man's intentions were, but it is very possible this dog saved her life."
The exceptional part of the story, Jones said, is that the dog had never met or even seen the people it quickly jumped to defend.
"You hear about family dogs protecting their owners, but this dog had nothing to do with this woman or her kid," Jones said. "He was like her guardian angel."
After the alleged thief ran away, Angela quickly placed her son, Jordan, in the car and tried to drive off. Before she could, though, the dog jumped into her backseat, waiting with her for the police and animal control officers to arrive at the scene.
The dog was transported to a local shelter and if his owners don't step forward within five days, Jones said, Angela and her family plan to adopt the savior she named "Angel."
Animal control officers and shelter workers believe Angel is lost, and not a stray, because of his good health, sturdy weight and mild temperament.
"It's funny, that someone's irresponsibility could have saved someone's life," Jones said of Angel's possible owners.
For Angela, it doesn't matter where the dog came from, just that he was there when she needed him most.
"I don't know what his [the thief's] intentions were – I don't know why he did it, but I'm glad that – we call him Angel – I'm glad that Angel showed up because I don't know what would have happened," Angela told NBC2 News.
For a small town with a population of 46,452 animal control officers were kept busy Monday afternoon. Jones says they department also responded to a report about a boa constrictor in a church parking lot.
The snake found its way into a car engine and was able to be removed without being harmed. It took three people to move the massive, seemingly random placed snake.
"It's funny, because we aren't a big place," he said of the Gulf Coast town. "And we can go for four or five months without the media contacting us about a story. It's been a busy week."
Officers from the responding county sheriff's office canvased the area and were unable to locate the suspect described as being in his 20s, tall and dark haired.
Source: http://www.dontbullymybreed.org/StrayPitBull.php
Here's a great video story that I thought I would pass on...hope touches your heart like it did mine! –Kim
One Eyed Jack
Follow Jack’s journey from Death Row to "Champion" status, after he spends more than a year in shelters, waiting for the right family to come along. This was surprisingly moving, and to say that Jack is inspiring would be an understatement.
There are so many quality dogs in shelters, waiting for someone to give them a chance to prove their worth. This year, give a homeless dog a loving home. Visit your local shelter and save him or her from life in a cage or, perhaps, impending death. You CAN make a difference!
Source: http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2010/11/one-eyed-jack/
Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it interesting! –Kim
How to Find a Lost Pet Quickly
By Rose Alexander
May 7, 2008
It can be very difficult to find a lost pet. Pets hold special places in our hearts and it is distressing to think of them being lost and alone. Even with all the preventive measures a responsible owner takes, pets can still run away and get lost quickly.
If your pet disappears, don't panic. The following steps will assist you in finding your pet or can help you assist someone in finding their lost pet. The earlier you take action, the better chance you have of finding a lost pet. Keeping calm and acting quickly is a much safer and more effective method than standing around in shock and disbelief. Many people have lost a pet and, through quick thinking, found it soon after it went missing.
Search the Neighborhood: If your pet runs away, drive around the neighborhood and pause at areas your pet is likely to be; call out its name. If your pet has favorite toys that make noise, bring those. Rattle the pet food bag or do anything noisy that would get your pet to come to you.
If you have another pet (especially a dog), bring it along as well in case it would pick up a scent. Depending on how soon you notice that your cuddly friend is gone, it may still be in the area. If you walked your pet outdoors, check the paths and routes you took before. If possible, try to keep a cell phone handy in case someone finds the animal and calls the number on the collar. It wouldn't hurt to call the neighbors you're friendly with and ask them to keep an eye out for your pet. Also have someone stay at home. Some pets return home shortly after leaving.
It's not that uncommon to have one wander off and then make its way back home later. Remember to call its name out from the yard, some animals don't want to stray too far from familiar places.
Posting "Lost Pet" Signs: If a pet is lost, there's always a chance that someone will find it. Create lost pet signs using weather-resistant paper and markers. It helps to make the print large enough for people to read easily while driving by. You should include basic information like the type of breed your pet is, any distinguishing features and contact information – usually just a phone number. As added incentive, some people offer rewards for finding their pet.
Before posting signs around town, find out where you can legally post signs. The next step is to find places with good visibility and where many people can pass by it. Most grocery stores have bulletin boards near the entrances to serve this purpose. Another good place to leave a sign is at the local veterinarian's office. If neighbors are having yard sales, drop by and leave a sign there as well. Try to inform as many people as possible that your pet is missing. They or someone they know may have seen or found the animal.
Check the Local Animal Shelter: Some people, upon finding a pet, may not have a place to keep it until the owner comes to claim it. These people resort to calling the local animal shelter and having them hold the pet.
It wouldn't hurt to call or look for your pet at the local animal shelter. If your beloved pet isn't there, ask an employee whether any pickups were requested to make sure your pet doesn't arrive after you leave. You may want to call or check in every few days to see whether it was dropped off. This is an important step to make sure your animal doesn't stay too long and get put up for adoption. It wouldn't hurt to call the veterinarian's office afterwards to see if it was brought in following an injury.
In the Meantime... You can try calling local veterinary offices in case it was brought in with an injury, but there is only so much you can do while looking for a lost pet. It's difficult, but try not to dwell on the subject any more than you need to. Do as much as you can to continue your daily routine. Should you feel sad and are unable to stop thinking about it, try a craft of some sort to make the time pass quickly. If you're trying to console a friend who has lost a pet, remind that person of all the positive things that can happen, like someone finding the animal and returning it promptly. Let that person know that some pets only go so far and then come back home or that a neighbor may find it soon.
Helping your friend scour the neighborhood not only increases the chances of finding the lost pet, but also helps your friend when he or she is going through a difficult time.
Little-used Methods: Some people will only put forth so much effort in finding their lost pet. These next few tips and ideas are not as commonly used, but could be helpful. These tips are geared toward getting the information out to more people.
Some folks will go through the trouble of ordering business cards at a local store and having them printed with information similar to the content on the lost sign. You can do several things with these cards. You could personally pass them out in public or receive permission to set them at store check out counters and registers. You also can leave a few stapled to your signs so people could take the info. The cards can be left on doorsteps and tucked into the windshield wipers of car windows.
Other people sometimes contact a lost pet service for additional search assistance and ideas. Some organizations will even send out voluntary search groups. They offer tips on how to find a lost pet, hold seminars with experienced speakers and a few even have dogs that are trained to track and find lost animals. There are pet detectives that are waiting to help you search for your lost animal. Try running searches on the Internet to find an agency near you.
Depending on the size and location of your neighborhood, if the police patrol the area regularly, you might contact the department to see if a stray pet has been reported. Local shops and stores might have overheard customers speaking of a lost animal.
The lessons learned in losing a pet can be painful, but helpful. You probably want to invest in collars that have information engraved on the tag so you can be contacted if someone finds your pet. A regular yard fence, whether wooden or metal, also helps to keep your pet at home. Invisible dog fences are popular for keeping dogs from wandering. For harder to contain animals, outdoor pets are having microchips implanted that emit radio signals when activated (see Pet Registry Services listed below). Another idea is to use a GPS unit attached to your pet. If a pet should run away or get lost, the implanted chip or GPS can lead the owners to the pet's exact location.
Figuring out the best method to find a lost pet involves a lot of time, effort and energy. Do your best while searching and think positively. Half the battle is emotional. Don't panic and do everything possible to stay positive. If you are sad and anxious, call a friend. Don't think you have to worry alone. If you use the tips above, you could very well find your lost pet within a day or two.
Source: http://www.lifescript.com/Life/Family/Pets/Tips_On_How_To_Find_A_Lost_Pet.aspx
Copyright © 2008 – lifescript.com
Here's a great online help that I thought I would pass along...hope you find it useful! –Kim
Want to make a free flyer for an adoptable pet? Or maybe for a pet that has been lost or found? Just fill out the online form and upload an image... then, click the "Create Flyer" button to view a printable page. You can also save the page to your computer hard drive for future use.
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