Do you make time?

Today's Blurb
We didn't go hiking this weekend.  Boo!!  Afternoon rain showers have really put a damper on things.  Haha, I made a pun.  Also, I worked the past two Sundays, so homework has been needing attention on Saturdays.  Bruce and I have been getting ansy though.  We need to be outside!  There's a nice trail behind my apartments, so I'm thinking we'll be walking those after work this week. 

There's been something on my mind lately and I'm a little nervous to express it.  But I'll do it anyway.  I feel really, really sorry for people who have no time for their dogs.  I go on Craigslist a lot, partly for pet gear and partly for curiosity, and all I see are people rehoming their pets because they "just don't have time" for them.  I won't get into it too much right now, but I will say this:  I love MAKING time for Bruce and The Ferrets.  I'm a single mom.  I work full-time.  I leave my home at 6:30 a.m. and get home at 6:00 p.m.  As soon as I get home, Bruce gets a nice walk, a stretch, and a chance to chase bunnies.  Then there's chores.  The Ferrets are out and terrorizing everyone.  I somehow squeeze in some time to brush Bruce and the kids and I play a few rounds of hunting games with him.  So when I see ads on Craigslist, I feel really bad for people who can't make time for their pets because their lives must be so busy and chaotic!  I'm not trying to be judgmental, I'm really not.  I just feel bad for the pet. 

Anyway, onto other topics.

Bentley's Back

 

That's right, Bentley's back!  I just love this cat.  He's full of character and he's soooo cuddly.  I still couldn't believe he was abandoned by his original owners.  How could anyone do that to their own pet?  Humans.  I swear.  We are the only animal on this earth who choose to take in another animal purely for their entertainment and then neglect or abuse it.  Not all of us do it, but there are so many who do.  Just go onto Craigslist or Google your local animal shelter or humane society.  We suck.  Anyway, back to Bentley. 

 

So every time he's over at my place, his toys get lost or Bruce chews a friggin canned food cover or Tupperware.  So tomorrow I'll be going shopping for cat food (Bruce), toys and a can cover for opened cans.  More to follow on his visit...

 

Not familiar with Bentley? 

Check him out here!

Don't forget to check us out on Facebook!

 

What's On The News.. Animal News

 

California Court Affirms Proposition 2's Constitutionality

From The Humane Society Of The United States (HSUS)

When I found out how veal calves were treated, I was appalled!  I couldn't believe ... well, okay, I could believe... the way these poor animals were treated.  Did you know that for 16 weeks (their lifespan), calves are kept confined in cages too narrow for them to even turn around?  It is disgusting.  Babies forced to stay in the same position until they are killed for their tender meat. 

 

Thanks to HSUS, though, the Superior Court of California in Fresno County has upheld Proposition 2, which bans the inhumane treatment of farm animals.  Now let's get the rest of the nation on track!

 

World's Ugliest Animal

The Star Nosed Mole was rated The World's Ugliest Animal among several others to include the Blob Fish, the Naked Mole Rat, and the Sphynx.  As much as I love animals, this Star Nosed Mole creeps me out.  I don't want to look at it anymore. 

 

Dog Dies In Hot Car At NY State Fair; Man Charged





From The San Francisco Chronicle

I still can't believe this is happening.  If it's not babies, it's dogs.  Why do people believe they can just leave their kids or dogs in the friggin car??  Recently, I read about a baby dying because of this very thing and of course I read the comments beneath the article.  I couldn't believe the number of people suggesting parents leave their cell phones or purses in the car seat so that they wouldn't forget their baby.  Are you friggin kidding me??  Are cell phones and purses really more important?  And dogs.  People think it's okay to leave their dogs in the car while they're shopping, dining, or even attending a state fair.  When are the laws going to punish people who do this the same as when they leave a kid in the car?  If they could do it to a dog, they could do it to a kid.

 

Dogs On The Web

 

 

Yup.  Dogs and trampolines rock!

 

 

Dogs Eating Ice Cream

You read it correctly.  There are few things more entertaining!  Check out pics of these awesome dogs enjoying what we humans love too.  Here's the kicker:  Frosty Paws is a dog-safe ice cream.  Don't give your dog human-friendly ice cream, it'll mess up their belly!

 

 

 

Thanks for reading Paw Prints. 

Bruce gives me lots of inspiration!

Keep up with us by going to

www.facebook.com/KeepTheDog

 

Feel free to post ideas for the next issue.

Labor Day

So Bentley is back for a week's visit!  Bruce has already pissed him off by stealing his food out of his bowl.  Poor Bentley is sulking in the kids' room while Bruce is sulking after being scolded.  I think, though, that Bruce still thinks he won.

The ferrets are still in their cage this morning because I'm cleaning and I don't need them attacking the vacuum (Squish got her face stuck in the vacuum hose last time she tried to attack it).  They're not very happy right now.  But once the home is cleaned, I'll let them out and they can terrorize the dog and the cat.

Bruce did spend his Labor Day morning harassing the bunnies outside.  The bunnies didn't seem to mind, though.  I think they like driving him crazy by running everywhere... just far enough away where he can't reach.  He's too funny.  At the end of his leash, he just stares at the bunnies.  I can just see it now:

Bunny:  You didn't get me.
Bruce:  Come here and say that.
Bunny: Why?  You on a leash or something?
Bruce:  You're lucky you aren't on a leash too.
Bunny:  Oh!  That's because I'm not a dog!  Hahaha!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.  Stay safe and don't forget to hydrate your dogs!!

Love,
Me and Bruce

Hiking With Bruce

So I've fallen in love with hiking.  After Eagle Peak and the Incline, I am in love with the outdoors.  And I have a dog who loves it too.  So I had a day off and decided to spend it only with Bruce.

 

It was a great day.

 

Bruce had a blast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Goal To Pursue

Bruce was an owner surrender who lived 3 years tied up outside.  He was dog aggressive, 20 lbs underweight and suffering from hip and elbow dysplasia.  He ate sometimes and was petted when he was remembered.  We don't want this to happen to other innocent dogs.
 
Bruce and I are committed to saving dogs who suffer at the hands of cruel and/or uneducated humans.  We are currently researching a good way to change or improve our state's laws (Colorado) and hope to help you do the same.  In the meantime, we will be posting notes here and/or on our Facebook that can be helpful to our cause.
 

This is a list of resources that can help you save our dogs from chaining, abuse, neglect, etc.
 

• A printable flyer to pass around or even just share online:  http://www.unchainyourdog.org/documents/Info_For_Owners.pdf
• ASPCA:  http://www.aspca.org/
• Humane Society of the United States:  http://www.humanesociety.org/

 

A note from www.dogsdeservebetter.org :

 
Heather Carpenter, former Orlando Florida Dogs Deserve Better rep, compiled a basic 'to-do' list for changing laws:
 
1) SELECT AN ISSUE. Like chaining of dogs!!
 
2) EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE ISSUE. You should be well informed on the issues surrounding your cause, and not just from a cruelty aspect. Government officials are concerned about public safety, public health, and of course animal welfare.
 
3) RESEARCH YOUR COUNTY'S CURRENT LAWS. They may have some aspect of a tethering ordinance in place. If not, they may have an ordinance regarding the confinement of animals. Tethering could be added onto this already existing ordinance. Remember that http://www.municode.com is a good resource to look up your county's ordinances, if they're on-line. Its really easy to use. If your county does not have on-line codes, go to your local library or clerk of court for a copy of the local ordinances.
 
4) FIND A MODEL ORDINANCE. See our Model Laws page for the best laws to model yours on. The Helping Animals website, as well as Unchainyourdog.org, have the ordinances from other counties listed. Your commissioners want to see what's going on in other communities and probably write their ordinances based on one already existing. The original six communities all enforce the law, as well.5) FIND ALLIES. Your local humane society or even your local animal control could be helpful. Also any animal rights or welfare groups, wildlife or environmental groups may be supportive. Dog obedience trainers or vets may be supportive.
 
6) KNOW YOUR OPPOSITION. Its important to think about the type of people or groups that may oppose your ordinance. Know their arguments and be ready to counter. These might be hunters or low end breeders, or if you live in Alaska or the cold climates, sled dog groups. These people have large packs of dogs and frequently keep them chained. They are a working animal to them, not a companion.
 
7) INTRODUCE YOUR ORDINANCE. Find the local commissioner who has either supported animal friendly laws or introduced animal friendly laws previously. You can also go to YOUR local commissioner. If your's is not interested, go to the next one. Find someone to "sponsor" your ordinance. 8) LOBBYING. Once you have a sponsor and bill number, lobby the other commissioners. Provide informational packets to all of them. Mobilize your group of supporters to contact their commissioners about the ordinance. You can also get national organizations to write letters for you.
 
9) PUBLIC HEARING. Once the ordinance is introduced, a public hearing is frequently held. Arrange for speakers on your behalf from different areas, such as animal control, cruelty investigators, dog bite victims, or a dog trainer or animal behaviorist. If there is not a public hearing, just a vote, get as many people as possible to speak.
 
10) THE VOTE. When you know the commissioners are going to be voting, get as many phone calls, faxes, letters, emails to go to them as possible. Make sure they know the majority of the public wants this. Enacting legislation takes a long time, maybe even years, but its worth it. Even if you lose, the public will be better educated and you can try again.