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The Scoop: Military Hospital Opens For Combat-Wounded Pups

PetSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:00:21 -0700

There are over 2,500 dogs working with military units around the world . . . but what happens when a dog gets hurt on the job? Up until recently, pooches severely injured in the field were flown for treatment to a cramped building that opened 40 years ago during the Vietnam War! No longer. A $15 million veterinary hospital opened Tuesday (in its place) at Texas's Lackland Air Force Base, which also houses the working dogs' training facilities.

Housing all the best technology, features include everything from canine CT scanning equipment to rehab like this underwater treadmill. Lackland currently trains 750 dogs – the pups usually enter between one-and-a-half and three years of age and most work until about 10.

With demand outstripping the number of dogs available, hospital and veterinary workers were trying to keep them healthy and working as long as possible, said Army Col. Bob Vogelsang, hospital director. Then, they're adopted out and stationed at "Fort Living Room."

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In the Spotlight: Daisy Helps Jessica Be Fancy

PetSugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:00:52 -0700

Is it just me or is Daisy looking better than ever these days?! Looks like the maltipoo got a trim to share the spotlight at Jessica Simpson's perfume launch in Dallas over the weekend – after all the fragrance is called "Fancy" so could she bring along a pup with a sloppy cut? I think not.I know North would remain atop that table for about one second . . . followed by breaking glass and his dive into the audience for kisses. See what Daisy did while Jess was signing autographs when you read more.

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Awww, Hurricane Ike's Tiny Bushy-Tailed Victims Need Help

PetSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:00:05 -0700

It's not just pets that need help in the aftermath of recent hurricanes, over 1,000 baby squirrels are undergoing care in what's best described as a "squirrel neonatal unit". The Houston SPCA still receives 20 to 30 lil ones each day, causing these creatures to far outnumber all of the other animals there.

We’re feeding them puppy formula every three hours. . . . We’ve had a pelican and a couple of seagulls, but we’ve been overwhelmed by the squirrels, said Sharon Schmalz, executive director of the society’s Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, who explained that this was the height of squirrel birthing season in Texas.

The orphans – many less than three inches long – are hand fed via these nipple-tipped syringes and will remain in the care of volunteers until they reach 12 weeks old. They will then be re-released into their natural habitats, places like rural areas outside city limits or tree-filled suburbs, with newfound strength to frolic freely and leap from limb to limb.

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How You Can Help Furry Victims of Hurricane Ike . . .

PetSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 15:00:08 -0700

Thankfully, there were improved plans in place before the recent hurricanes hit, but I'm reminded that plenty of pets still need help in the storms' aftermath. Shelters including the Houston Humane Society and the Galveston Island Humane Society are working around the clock to photograph all the arriving animals to help keep track of the pets, and locate their owners. Much of the area is still without running water, electricity or gas . . . but the stray and injured animals keep on coming!

In addition to accepting monetary donations online, if you're local to these areas (or any place affected by the storms), don't be shy about stopping in to volunteer or bring by some much-appreciated goods. To see the items on the shelter's wish list, read more.

Towels
Batteries (especially 9 volt)
Crates of ALL sizes
Tarps
Bungee Cords
Bottled Water
Cat Litter
King Size Kong toys for dogs
Rabbit Food - Timothy Hay pellets or Timothy Hay
Small TVs with built in VCR/DVD
Soft Chewable Dog Treats
Current Key Maps
Disposable Rubber Gloves
Digital Cameras
8- and 12-Inch Cable Ties (50 lb strength)
Newspapers
Food for Hamsters, Rats, Guinea Pigs, Ferrets, and Gerbils
Halters - small and medium size
Fly Spray and Masks
Thrush Medicine
Mucking Forks/rakes

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Do Tell: What's the Pet-Friendliest City?

PetSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:00:14 -0700

NYC jumps straight to my mind as the pet-friendliest city with the sheer number of boutiques, high-end services, and dog runs, but, after that, what's next? Now a couple months back I rounded up a list of cat-friendly places, but Rent.com recently released a list of the Top 10 Pet-Friendly Cities, and I've gotta say I was surprised not to see a few of my faves on it. At first I was bristling about San Francisco's low placement, but then I remembered how hard it was for me to find a pet-friendly place here . . . and I'm inclined to agree that it's far from number one considering rental industry data.

Check out their list and share your favorite cities for animal lovers and pet owners when you read more.

New York, NY
Chicago, IL
Boston, MA
Houston, TX
San Francisco, CA
Austin, TX
Washington, DC/ Alexandria, VA
Portland, OR
Charleston, SC
Ann Arbor, MI

Nationwide Canine Casting Call For Upcoming Disney Flick!

PetSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:30:49 -0700

If your furry friends have stars in their eyes, here's the chance for one lucky celebripup to get a cameo role in an upcoming Disney film, Buddies. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment hosted special casting calls in LA and San Diego over the weekend as part of a nationwide search for a camera-ready canine.

Participants were encouraged to come ready to shine – with two runways, Beverly Hills Chihuahua for glamorous furry fashionistas and a Bolt runway for all kinds of talents and tricks. If you missed this, find out the remaining cities, dates, and casting locations when you read more.

Audition slots are limited with sign-ups beginning at 12 p.m. and are on a first come, first serve basis:

PHOENIX
Friday, March 13
Bolin Memorial Park
1649 W Adams St
Phoenix, AZ 85007
DALLAS
Sunday, March 15
Fair Park (Museum of Nature & Science Bldg)
1300 Robert B Cullum Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75315
ATLANTA
Friday, March 20
Centennial Park
265 Park Ave West N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30313
MIAMI
Sunday, March 22
Bayfront Park
301 North Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33132

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Take on a 5k . . . With Your Dog!

PetSugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:00:29 -0700

Spring is a great time to get outside and run around . . . and I don't mean just for your dog! Make it a team effort and train for a 5K that your furry pal can participate in as well. There are plenty of fun runs that benefit not only your health, but the animal shelters and programs that host the events get a much-needed bump in funds from all those entry fees.Running can seem like a scary sport to break into if you aren't the natural-born runner, but Fit assures us that it's easier than we think. Plus, with your fur-laden companion by your side, it just might be fun and gives you a good chance to meet 'n greet new people and pups for you and Fido to befriend (and possibly doggie date)! Who knew fitness could be great for filling up your date book as well!? To scour my list of doggie dashes and furry 5Ks taking place through May, just read more.

See Spot Run 5k Run/Walk
Saturday, March 29.
JF Gregory Park
Richmond Hill, GA

Richmond SPCA Dog Jog and 5k Run
Saturday, March 29
Robins-Starr Humane Center
Richmond, VA

Dog Day 5k
Saturday, April 5
North Carolina University Club
Raleigh, NC

Mutt's N Masters 5k Run
Saturday, April 12
Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center
Las Vegas, NV

Hound Dog Hustle 5k Run
Saturday, April 19
Oak Grove Park
Grapevine, TX

Walk The Dog 5k
Saturday, April 19
Bill Burke Park
Salina, Kansas

Animals For Life 5k Run for Rescue
Saturday, April 26
Quassy Amusement Park
Middlebury, CT

Run and Romp
Saturday, April 26
Shoreview Community Center
Shoreview, MN

Miss Reveille Dog Walk and 5K Fun Run
Sunday, April 27
Texas Medical Center
Huston, TX

Atlanta Dog Jog
Saturday, April 28
Piedmont Park
Atlanta, GA

Canine Canter for Cancer 2Mi Run/Walk
Sunday, May 4
Como Park
Saint Paul, MN

HS Run For the Dogs
Saturday, May 10
East Lake Village Park
Lees Summit, MO

Doggie Dash 5k
Saturday, May 31
William Land Park
Sacramento, CA

Know of any that I'm missing? Add the info in your comments!

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Greatest American Dog Recap: My Dog Can Fly!

PetSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:00:00 -0700

First puppies and now an elephant?! For last night's episode of Greatest American Dog, the remaining humans (Travis, J.D., Bill, Laurie, and Teresa) had to get their pets (Presley, Galaxy, Star, Andrew, and Leroy) to sit in a circle as an elephant approached them, made tons of noise and flapped its ears, and eventually got close enough to pick up a banana placed nearby. It came down to a faceoff between Presley and Andrew, and the smallest pooch there (Laurie's Maltese) didn't move a muscle – wow! Next, it was a course finishing in a doggie zipline – that J.D. and Galaxy made look like a piece of cake – but, unfortunately, two dogs (Star and Andrew) wouldn't take that leap. In the end, the judges chose to send Bill and Star packing which made me sad 'cause I was totally pulling for them, but happy since I got to chat with him this morning. . . . and, yes, he's just as sweet on the phone as he looks on TV:

On meeting an elephant for the first time: You remember, we've got our back towards that elephant? I'm watching Star and saying "sit, stay, sit, stay" and her eyes are getting bigger and bigger and it's like one of us has got to move, I hope she tells me when I'm supposed to move! That was thrilling to me, just thrilling.

Learn what happens when Star meets the elephant for the second and third (?) time when you read more.

On meeting an elephant for the second time: Although she didn't win the challenge, later we were able to go over and visit with the elephant. Star actually ended up sitting on one of the elephant's feet and it was a positive atmosphere. They didn't want dogs to be afraid of big things running at them anymore. The elephant actually took its nose and smelled all over Star and she just sat and looked at it – I asked the guy what it was doing and he said the elephant's never seen a dog like Star so he's smelling and remembering so that, the next time he sees one, he'll know what that is.

On meeting an elephant for the third time: I feel comfortable now that if there's an elephant charging down the street here in Flint, TX, Star will sit right there and watch it go by.

On preparing for the zipline challenge: I got up there and worked with her during practice time. I shook the platform and the guys up there at the top said "don't shake this," but I banged and clanged up there for Star's benefit. I knew the wind might be blowing and it might shake so I wanted her to understand that everything's good and it's fine for your feet to move underneath you.

On doing the challenge: When she got to the edge in what you saw last night, there was one point where I actually thought she was going to jump. Then she said "nah, dogs ain't supposed to fly, my boy" and I read that. She was like "I'll sit right here and you figure it out, Bubba." I saw that expression but I spent a good 10 to 15 minutes trying to get her to jump off that.

On not jumping off: I appreciate her not jumping off that ledge. She was smarter than I thought because we work in some areas where it's high-rise parking garages and, maybe she then thinks it's OK to jump off something chasing a bird? I feel comfortable knowing she did the wise thing, she was wiser than me.

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