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“Spotlight Humane” Rallies Puppies’ Best Friends with Glitz and Gab

In recent years, a small, dedicated group of people has committed themselves to building awareness of puppy mills in North Texas. It’s not because puppy mills were the new problem in the animal lovers world. They’ve been around forever largely due to pet stores and uneducated folks who want a nice puppy and didn’t realize the source.

Did you know that there are 10,000 puppy mills in this country selling between two and four million puppies yearly?

To combat the problem, three main programs were initially undertaken by the group. First, protests outside local pet stores selling puppies from such mills. Second, investigating and notifying authorities of such operations and closing them down. Third, educating the public on the right way to get a puppy.

They have since added state legislation to their “must-do” list.

Photo credit: Lara Bierner

To salute the efforts of the local group, The Humane Society of the U.S. presented Spotlight Humane benefiting the Stop Puppy Mills Campaign at Union Station Friday night. To do the honors of welcoming the 400 guests, Humane Society of the United States President/CEO Wayne Pacelle (pictured with from the left Kristina Bowman, Catharine Flagg and Holly Forsythe)) was on hand, as were guest speakers Puppy Mills Campaign Senior Director Stephanie Shain and Arthur E. Benjamin, founder and president of American Dog Rescue and vice chairman/CEO of ATI Career Training.

The event itself was a bow-wow feat when you realize event chairs Kristina Bowman, Catharine Flagg, and Holly Forsythe had just five months to pull the whole thing off. BTW, at one point it appeared to be a bit of a pep rally for Lady Photographer Bowman. Any time her name was mentioned on the screen or from the podium, a wave of cheering took place in the Grand Hall.

But prior to all the hoopla in the Grand Hall, a VIP reception was held in the Texas & Pacific Room while the silent auction was being held in the Frisco Room. Interesting. This practice has been seen at other events and one can’t help but wonder if the high rollers might have goosed up the silent auction bidding had they had some time to browse around the hundreds of silent auction items.

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Giving a Chick Ain’t Chic

You give gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays, but what about Easter? Have you ever thought about giving a baby chick or bunny?

Well, don’t!

Society Bakery is raising “awareness and encouraging people to NOT give rabbits and chicks this Easter” by asking their customers to add an extra dollar to their purchases now through Easter. The funds raised will be donated to the North Texas Rabbit Sanctuary.

Sounds a little strange until you realize that 90% of all rabbits purchased as pets are abandoned at animal shelters or die from improper care.

By the way, if you are feeling a bit generous, why not kick in a little more than a dollar for the cause.

Now, hop to it!

Let’s Practice Safe Sex This Sunday

Did we get your attention? Do you have a dog or a cat that “needs fixin” as the Metroplex Animal Coalition puts it?

You’re in luck! In celebration of “Spay Day 2010,” MAC, the SPCA of Texas, Kaufman County Animal Awareness and Texas Coalition for Animal Protection have joined forces to make you an offer you can’t. . . or rather, shouldn’t refuse. For a mere $45, dogs and cats will be spayed/neutered this Sunday at the SPCA of Texas Martin Spay Neuter Clinic as part of the campaign to prevent unwanted births.* (more…)

Faux — A Different Type of Volunteer

It was 14 years ago on March 17 that a marvelous litter of Australian Shepherds was born in our neighborhood. Six weeks later while walking my cantankerous Border Collie Chauncey, I saw the litter and immediately spotted one (pictured) out of the dozen that seemed to be the center of attention. All the others wanted to play with her because she was such a happy little soul and such a great sport. I didn’t need another dog, but there was just something about her that was magical, so I asked if I could just take her home for one night. Chauncey was not pleased, but it was for just one night.

The next morning I called our neighbors and asked how much the puppies were. They said “$250, but they would sell her to me for $200.” At that time they might as well have said a thousand, but I decided that my rainy day fund could help me out this one time and paid the full $250. I wasn’t going to treat this pick of the litter with anything but top dollar.

While Chauncey was still not very happy about our new roommate, she adjusted because the puppy hero-worshiped her. I always thought that I trained the puppy, but looking back I realize now that it was Chauncey who taught the puppy how to raise a human.

Eventually after many name tries (Clancy, Mary Posa, etc.), we settled on Faux Marble because her coat looked like fake marble. Over the years, she grew from an adorable puppy to a rather beautiful Aussie (pictured). Yet, she retained her Miss Congeniality title with everyone and every dog that she met.

She excelled in her puppy obedience, so much so that she moved up in the ranks to advanced, super duper obedience. There was talk of her competing in trials, but I decided that she wasn’t meant for that.

Then one day I read a notice in the paper that Baylor University Medical Center‘s animal-assisted therapy program was testing candidates for its program. It sounded interesting and I thought it would be nice for Faux to have people pat her on the head. After all, what more does a therapy dog do, but visit people in the waiting room? So, we signed up for the test. (more…)

Saturday is Going to Be a Greyt Day

Photo provided by GALT

Most of them are athletes whose best days and tracks are behind them. Despite their racy past, greyhounds are notorious for their loving and intelligent nature. Unfortunately, once their racing days are at an end, they are abandoned by handlers. Bob (pictured) is just three of the 55 greyhounds that is being cared for by the Greyhound Adoption League of Texas.

While they wait for their “forever homes,” their caregivers are hosting The Greyt Gala Mardi Gras Dinner and Silent Auction this Saturday at Hackberry Creek Country Club.

Besides all the typical human frivolity, there’s going to be the naming of the king and queen of Greyt Mardi Gras. The voting is online, so why not pick out your idea of a grey royal?

Event co–chairs Debi Joynt and Shannon Forrest have arranged for humans of note to help raise funds for the GALT including MC/Emmy Award-winning sportscaster  John Rhadigan, actor Burton Gilliam, voice of the Dallas Mavericks Mark Followill, and former baseball greats Jose Guzman, Jack Lazorko and Mike Phillips.

Tickets are still available, but you better move like a greyhound to get on track.

BTW, if you can’t make it to the gala, think about adopting one former tracksters.

$125,000 Check Presented to Equest

Remember that Equest Auxiliary Luncheon and Fashion Show? You know the one at Brook Hollow with all those wonderful clothes from Highland Park Village? Yes, we thought you’d recall. Well, original fund-raising estimates were projected at $110,000.

But then at the last minute a donation from Diane Brierley and an increase in raffle ticket purchases kicked the grand total up to a whopping $125,000, which luncheon chair Lynn McBee presented to Equest Therapeutic Riding for its programs.

“I am honored to present a check to Equest from the luncheon proceeds,” said Lynn.  “The difficult economy makes it even more meaningful as we help sustain these important therapeutic riding programs for children and adults.”

2010 luncheon chair Nancy Carter is already planning the fall luncheon.

PETA Offers Info For Pet Care In This Frigid Weather

Robbyn Brooks of PETA sent along this information regarding pets in this sub-freezing weather:

Every year, PETA receives complaints about people who leave dogs outside in the cold. Although they are equipped with fur coats, dogs and other animals can still suffer from frostbite and exposure, and they can become dehydrated when water sources freeze. Cold weather spells extra hardship for “backyard dogs,” who often go without adequate food, water, shelter, or veterinary care.

• Keep animals inside. This is especially important to remember when it comes to puppies and kittens, elderly animals, small animals, and dogs with short hair, including pointers, beagles, pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Dobermans. Short-haired animals will also benefit from a warm sweater or coat on walks.
• Don’t allow your cat or dog to roam freely outdoors. During winter, cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to be near warm engines and are badly injured or killed when the car is started. You should increase animals’ food rations during the winter because they are burning more calories to keep warm. (Ed. note: Be safe and thump the hood of your car a couple of times to stir the possible resting kitty. Or better yet, open the hood and take a look.)
• Keep an eye out for strays. Take unidentified animals inside until you can find their guardians or get them to an animal shelter. If strays are skittish or otherwise unapproachable, provide food and water and call your local humane society for assistance in trapping them and getting them indoors.
• Wipe off your dogs’ or cats’ legs, feet, and stomachs after they come in from the snow. Salt and other chemicals can make your animals sick if they ingest them while cleaning themselves. (Ed. note: Remember anti-freeze may be good for your car, but it’s deadly for animals.)
• When you see dogs left outdoors, provide them with proper shelter. Details on how to provide housing can be found at HelpingAnimals.com (Ed. note: I couldn’t locate the info, and have asked Robbyn to send the exact place on the website where the info is. When we get it, we’ll update this post.)

UPDATE: According to Robbyn, here are some ideas for outdoor shelters:

• Building a shelter for dogs: http://www.peta.org/pdfs/ABC_doghouse72.pdf#xml=http://www.petasearch.org/texis/search/pdfhi.txt?query=doghouse&pr=helpinganimals&prox=page&rorder=1000&rprox=1000&rdfreq=0&rwfreq=1000&rlead=1000&rdepth=0&sufs=2&order=r&cq=&id=4b74ae237
• Declare a winter watch for animals: http://www.helpinganimals.com/animalsHome_gi_coldWeather.asp

Valentine Pet Photos For Spots At Unleashed Park

Photo by John Sealander

Unleashed Park is to dogs just as NorthPark is to the fashionable types. See-and-be-seen types scampering about having a heck of a good time in lah-di-dah surroundings.

This Saturday and next (February 13) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Unleashed Park will have dog-loving photographer John Sealander taking Valentine’s Day photos of pets with proceeds benefiting Dalmatian Rescue of North Texas.

Two suggestions:

1. Cats might not be too keen on this photo opp.
2. Make reservations.

Even Chinese Cresteds Are Looking For Homes

Provided by the Collin Country Humane Society

They’re rarities, but even they have come across the hard times of the recent economy. Here is Ava (pictured), a Chinese Crested that is need of home. Just looking at her makes us want to turn up our electric blanket, but she’s so adorable and would fit in any life. And she’s quite civilized. Think debutante who is having a bad turn of events and a challenging hair issue.

Ava only proves that the greatest and rarest of breeds as well as mutts are in need of homes. You can literally get a bargain if you need a best friend.

Check with your various animal groups for a friend for life.

Paws Cause — Tongues Were Wagging!

Animal behaviorists recognize the dynamics of pack behavior. In the canine world, there is “an innate sense of social inequality;” in the human world at Sunday’s 10th Annual Paws Cause, there was an absolute equality of fun.

A half hour into the party at Sambuca, room after room was filled with two-legged critters looking happier than dogs at Unleashed Park on a Saturday afternoon. But what else would you expect when you have alpha dogs Diane (pictured) and Hal Brierley as the honorary chairs? Needless to say, the twosome hardly made it through the front door before guests were lining up to chat with the notorious dog lovers.

You do know that Diane is the Park Cities unofficial dog whisperer, don’t you? Need proof? Okay, here’s a tale that’s absolutely true — cross our paws! It seems that over the holidays, Lynn and Alan McBee‘s canine housemate, Otis, decided to go wandering around the neighborhood.

Want to find out how this dog’s tale ended? (more…)