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Archive for May, 2007

Our Dogs are in Danger

Thursday, May 31st, 2007

This article was in my local paper this morning. Here’s an exerpt:

After discussing various subsection amendments to Chapter 5 of the Lexington City Code regarding animals and fowl, the Lexington City Council voted 4-0 Tuesday night to pass the measure on first reading. Mayor John Fagot was absent.

Among the amendments was subsection 5-10, which gives the police authority to kill any animals showing vicious tendencies or characteristics of rabies that make it impossible to capture them…

You know what? I absolutely HATE that they’re giving cops the authority to kill any animal they feel “threatened” by. Living in a town of many police officers on a power trip, ready to use their guns at any opportunity, I think every dog in town is in danger. Just a few years ago a police officer pulled his gun on my brother’s VERY friendly and gentle dog because she was barking at him while the officer was in my brother’s yard. Now, a cop could shoot and kill Zoe, merely for protecting her territory and her master, feeling scared and threatened by an agitated man in uniform, and say that the DOG was a threat to HIM.

I am very scared for my city’s pets.

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Cute World Record

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

Recorded on November 1st 2003, the longest rabbit ears measured 79 cm (31.125 in) in a complete span on November 1, 2003 at the American Rabbit Breeders Association National Show in Wichita, Kansas, USA. The ears belong to an English Lop called Nipper’s Geronimo who is owned by Waymon and Margaret Nipper of Bakersfield, California, USA.

get more info here!

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Quote of the Week

Tuesday, May 29th, 2007

“I have been studying the traits and dispositions of the “lower animals” (so called) and contrasting them with the traits and dispositions of man. I find the result humiliating to me.”
~Mark Twain

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Portis Supports Dog Fighting

Thursday, May 24th, 2007

Some people are just stupid and there’s nothing anyone can do about it…

Quote of the Week

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

“No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich.” ––Louis Sabin

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Cat Scratch Fever

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007

A cat bite or scratch is not an uncommon occurence. I was scratched just today in the palm of my hand by my own frightened kitty. What’s important is immediately caring for your wound to avoid infection that is common from cat scratches and bites…

“As much as humans interact with felines, cat bites are common injuries, especially in children. Responding to a cat bite should always start with the safety of all involved, including the victim, the rescuer, and if possible, the cat.”

Read the rest of the article here.

And an added note, NEVER take it out on the cat in question. Felines often attack or injure humans out of nothing more than fear or feeling a threat. My cat is very easily spooked, she was near feral when we adopted her just a year ago, and she scratched me today escaping from my father’s and my arms. If the cat is wild, leave it alone and inform animal control of it’s possible danger, but for your own safety, do not attempt to secure a wild or threatened cat yourself, and never, ever harm the animal!

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Last Day

Monday, May 21st, 2007

Today is my last day of dog sitting for this particular client. Let me tell ya, I’ll be sad to say goodbye to the two sweet dogs I’ve been looking after! They’ve been so good, no accidents in the house, no tearing up the back yard, and ever so kissable.

Yes, they have me wrapped around their little paws. I’ve even been suckered into taking them on two short walks a day, unable to resist the longing looks at the door and the desperate little whimpers. It’s not part of the job I agreed to, but that’s ok, whatever makes the little sweethearts happy!

So, this evening I say goodbye, hopefully to move on to other animals very soon. It’s been an AMAZING job!

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The Best Kind Of Work

Friday, May 18th, 2007

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These are the dogs I’m looking after through Monday. I’m REALLY enjoying this job, the dogs are so sweet and kissable, I love being my own boss, it’s exactly what I thought it would be.

I really hope this job isn’t just a fluke and that more clients will come my way in the near future!

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Pet Hero

Thursday, May 17th, 2007

This is the story of Taz…

Danelle Ballengee had no idea when she selected this rambunctious German Shepherd/Golden Retriever puppy from a shelter that he’d one day help save her life – especially since he turned out to be the worst in his class in puppy school!
Being a professional adventure athlete, Danelle needed a very active dog. With much training, Taz was able to take off-leash runs with Danelle, something he loved more than anything.
One chilly afternoon in December 2006, Danelle and Taz were out on a run in Moab, Utah when Danelle slipped on an ice patch and fell 50 feet down a canyon, taking two nasty bounces on the way. This is when Taz began showing his true level of devotion. Taz found a path down the canyon and caught up to Danelle. Though seriously injured, Danelle’s adrenalin and endorphins kicked in and she had her wits about her. She realized if Taz found his way to her, there must be an easy way back. Unable to walk, she crawled on her hands and knees. Taz led her back the way he came…

Go here to read the rest!

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Dog Sitting Adventures

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

I mentioned a few posts back that I was attempting to start up a little business of dog walking and pet sitting. I put up flyers all around my little town, but heard nothing for a few weeks. Well, yesterday, I got a call from a lady interested in having me look after her dogs while she’s out of town.

I am so excited to have my first gig!

I went to meet the dogs I’ll be caring for and they are so sweet, I’m excited to get to see them for a few days. I’m a little nervous about doing the job well and to the expectations of my client, but I suppose that could ensure that I’ll do a good job.

The job starts Thursday, I’ll be sure to update you on how it goes!

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Quote of the Week

Tuesday, May 15th, 2007

This is so true for me…

“If it wasn’t for dogs, some people would never go for a walk.”

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Mothers

Monday, May 14th, 2007

Hello Dear Readers, I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and Mother’s Day! I’m too young to be the mother of a child, but I am the “mother” of my pets. Yes, I love them like I would my own children. I tell them I love them, I give them kisses, tell them goodnight, and of course, spoil them.

So to all you “Pet Mom’s” out there, I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day as well!

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A Cat’s Life

Friday, May 11th, 2007

Here’s some guidelines for that budding King or Queen kitty of the household:

Food

In order to get the energy to sleep, play, and hamper, a cat must eat. Eating, however, is only half the fun. The other half is getting the food. Cats have two ways to obtain food: convincing a human you are starving to death and must be fed now; and hunting for it oneself. The following are some guidelines for getting fed.

a) When the humans are eating, make sure you leave the tip of your tail in their dishes when they are not looking.

b) Never eat food from your own bowl if you can steal some from the table.

c) Never drink from your own water bowl if a human’s glass is full enough to drink from.

d) The best times to inform humans of your dish’s emptiness are when they are unable to ignore you, such as when they are sleeping or on the toilet. If you insist on waking a human at what it considers a “ridiculously early hour” for breakfast, be warned that the human may be as likely to throw you outside or in the basement as to feed you.

e) Should you catch something of your own outside, it is only polite to attempt to get to know it. Be insistent; your food will usually not be so polite and try to leave. If you can’t be bothered to eat the food you’ve just caught, be considerate and don’t waste it; it makes a perfect gift for humans! Carefully pick it up and carry it to the human’s house and, if the door is closed, leave it on the doorstep. If the door is open, or there is a cat-flap, take it inside and leave it somewhere highly visible. The gift will be even more welcome if it is still alive! Live birds and mice make the best gifts as humans love a good game of chase just as much as you do, although be careful not to help them; it’s their gift after all.

f) Table scraps are delicacies with which the humans are unfortunately unwilling to readily part. It is beneath the Dignity of a cat to beg outright for food as lower forms of life such as dogs will, but several techniques exist for ensuring that the humans don’t forget you exist. These include, but are not limited to: jumping onto the lap of the “softest” human and purring loudly; lying down in the doorway between the dining room and the kitchen, the Direct Stare, and twining around people’s legs as they sit and eat while meowing plaintively.

g) Coffee is known to be rejuvenating for both cats and humans. Whenever a human sets a cup of coffee on the floor within your reach, s/he is showing you great respect and worship. Softly blow the divine liquid until cool (you may even put your paw in it to make sure the temperature is just right) and then daintily drink it.

h) Occasionally there will be disagreements over what you and the humans will deem as edible. The appropriate action, should the stuff in question be too repulsive to ignore, is to bury it. Scratch at the floor and try to drag over objects to cover the offending item. This informs the ignorant human that it really belongs in the litter box.

Read the rest here!

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Baby Pictures

Thursday, May 10th, 2007

This is my sweet Pepsi the day I got her (maybe a day after). I picked her because she rested her head on my chest, she was the runt, and she had the cutest little “eyebrows”.

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Show me your pet’s baby picture!

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For the Indoor Kitty

Wednesday, May 9th, 2007

I was browsing through PetSmart.com and came across this neat product for your cat. It’s like the feline version of the PetPeek, though less affordable.

This Cat Veranda fits into your window much like a window air conditioner, has a flap for your kitty to come and go as he pleases, a carpeted interior, and a covered roof. If you don’t have an enclosed porch like I do for your feline friend to experience the outdoors a little, this is a great solution.

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About Home Zookeeper

Home Zookeeper covers challenges and triumphs in the everyday life of a pet owner and animal lover. From pet allergies to adoption experiences, to catching that pesky-but-cute household rodent, every topic is covered with wonder and heart only to be understood by other “home zookeepers” in the world. What is life without animal encounters? Boring, that’s what!

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