Rescued a Human Today

Mentionables
Joy would like to share the following forwarded email sent to her by a friend with the comment, this is pretty much how we wound up with 6 dogs and 7 cats.

I rescued a human today.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.

Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.
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‘Marley & Me’ and American Humane to Hold Dog Food and Blanket Drive in December Animal Shelters and Rescue Groups Need Food During Hard Economic Times

The American Humane Association and 20th Century Fox’s new movie “Marley & Me” — based on the best-selling book about a family and its rambunctious Labrador retriever — are teaming up this holiday season to support Denver-area animal shelters and rescue groups through the “12 Days of Marley – Dog Food and Blanket Drive,” Monday, Dec. 1 – Friday, Dec. 12.

Residents of the Denver metro area are urged to drop off unopened bags and cans of dog food and blankets at participating locations, including Denver area Suncor Energy/Phillips 66 sites and independently owned pet stores. Suncor Energy/Phillips 66 sites will also be hosting a donation drive at the cash registers of its Denver area locations so patrons can make monetary donations to American Humane during the dog food and blanket drive. A complete listing of participating drop-off locations can be found at www.americanhumane.org.

The donated dog food and blankets will be distributed to Safe Harbor Lab Rescue, Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue, Retriever Rescue of Colorado, The Misha May Foundation and the Evergreen Animal Protective League.

“We are thrilled that 20th Century Fox recognizes that animal shelters and rescues are in need and that they want to make a positive impact on the lives of animals this holiday season,” said Marie Belew Wheatley, president and CEO of American Humane. “Although shelters and rescues always rely on the kind hearts of their volunteers and donors, this season the organizations have been hit especially hard because they are receiving fewer donations and are overcrowded, driven in part by the rising tide of home foreclosures.”

American Humane’s Film & TV Unit was on set during the production of “Marley and Me,” and awarded the film its famous “No Animals Were Harmed”® end-credit disclaimer. American Humane’s Film & TV Unit is the exclusive monitoring and granting body for the disclaimer.

For more information on American Humane’s efforts with “Marley & Me” to promote adoptions and support shelters and rescue groups, please visit www.americanhumane.org/film.
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According to a recent poll from Consumer Reports, only 23 percent of people plan to cut back on gifts for their pets this season—far fewer than those willing to cut back on buying for friends and families (40%), service providers (30%) or co-workers (29%). So what should you look for and what should you avoid when you’re toy-shopping for Fluffy and Rover this year?

The January 2009 issue of ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, has the dos and don’ts to find that perfect mix of toys that will keep you and your pet happy, and safe.

Purrfect Fun: What to buy for cats
Play-With-Me Toys
Do get toys you’ll want to play with too. Some cats will play fetch with small balls. Cat dancers are tantalizing and provide great jumping exercise. Toys that dangle from doorknobs are OK as long as any elastic is well enclosed and string can't be eaten.
Don’t leave toys with strings, feathers, ribbons, bells, or other objects that can be swallowed laying around; that can cause choking or intestinal blockages.

Calm-Me-Down Toys
Do see if your cat likes carrying around a stuffed toy he can cuddle with and bite. Or your cat might prefer fabric toys that make a nice crunch, like the fish or the chew ring.
Don’t hesitate to trim anything that can be swallowed if you want to let your cat have access anytime to these toys.

Keep-Me-Busy Toys
Do try catnip toys. They encourage play when you’re not around, which can keep cats away from stuff you don’t want destroyed. Catnip might not have much effect on little kitties and older cats.
Don’t use catnip toys if they cause extreme aggression. And snip off bits that might be chewed off, like the feathers below.

Watch out! Don't leave stringy stuff out: Rough cat tongues have tiny sharp spines that hook backward. Those spines can pull things that get on their tongue down their throat, which can choke them or cause an intestinal blockage. Small bells can also be a choking hazard, and laser pens can cause obsessive behavior problems.

Ruff Stuff: What to buy for dogs
Play-With-Me Toys
Do play frequent games of ball or Frisbee and perhaps a little tug-of-war. Dogs don’t tend to play with toys unless people are around and, like people, they often don’t get as much exercise as they need.
Don’t forget that size and toughness count. To prevent choking, intestinal blockages and teeth injuries, stick with a small Frisbee for little dogs and pups and the tougher Kong Frisbee for bigger dogs. If your dog is very aggressive, don’t play tug-of-war.

Calm-Me-Down Toys
Do try giving your dog a stuffed animal. Some dogs find it calming to hold soft things in their mouths, or to chew on toys like the balls and the rope knots.
Don’t buy stuffed animals if your pooch is the search-and-destroy type who tears out (and eats) stuffing. Toys without stuffing are a good substitute. Never give Fido a worn-out shoe; your dog won’t be able to differentiate between an old slipper and new Burberry loafers.

Keep-Me-Busy Toys
Do look for tough toys like Kongs that you can fill with treats. They might be the only ones your dog plays with by himself, trying to extract the goodies. Softer versions are good for young pups and older dogs.
Don’t forget to check labels to get the right version for your pooch. Large dogs might quickly chew through softer toys, which would be a waste of your money at best, a hazard at worst.

Watch out! If you have an aggressive dog, avoid squeakers that can easily be ripped out and swallowed. And keep kids’ toys that might be swallowed out of reach.
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Radio Show
Tune in to Talk With Your Animals on Wednesdays from 12 - 1 PM Pacific Time either on the radio if you live in the Seattle area or over the Internet by going to www.talkwithyouranimals.com then to the radio show links page and click on the listen live button for KKNW. The show can also be heard live on www.1150kknw.com. Call in to ask a question about your pets. The telephone number is 425-373-5527. The toll free number if you are in Western Washington is 1-888-298-5569.

Talk With Your Animals is brought to you by Optimum Choices - www.optimumchoices.com, Pet Essences - www.petessences.com, The Natural Pet Pantry - www.naturalpetpantry.com, Natural Horse Talk - www.naturalhorsetalk.com, Dooley's Dog House - www.dooleysdoghouse.com, Nurtural Horse - www.nurturalhorse.com and Waggin' Tails Cookies, Inc. - www.waggintailscookies.com and our mention - Holistic Horse Magazine - www.holistichorse.com. Please let these wonderful people know that Joy sent you.

From The Wonderful Folks Who Support Talk With Your Animals

Saturday, December 6 11 AM - 4 PM - Traditional Photos with Santa. Bring your critters to Dooleys Dog House to have their pictures taken with Santa. $20 for pictures including $10 donation to Pasado Safe Haven (www.pasadosafehaven.org) To set up your time for pictures, please call 425-889-2200. Dooley's Dog House is located at 1421 Market St. Kirkland, WA (www.dooleysdoghouse.com)
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