U.S. News & World Report thinks that of all the places in the country, Ellicott City is one of the best for pet lovers.

The magazine honored the Howard County spot in a recent issue, saying it's "an easy drive from Baltimore's animal shelters and also offers more than 100 square miles of green space within 15 miles of the city."

County Executive Ken Ulman didn't miss the chance to boast.

 “Lately I’d been hearing other good things from both Fishy and Bait, the pets who live at my house," he wrote in a news release. " Fishy and Bait are Beta fish who seem to be thriving, thanks to the tender loving care of my daughters Maddie and Lily.  I guess it was only a matter of time until U.S. News & World Report caught on (pun fully intended) to the fine life pets and their owners are enjoying in Howard County.”

So what do you think, pet people? Is Ellicott City really the best around here for dogs, cats, goldfish? Or are there some other spots that are more worthy? Basing this designation mainly on average weather and amount of green space seems a bit off. What about dog parks? And pet laws? No?

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

Guinness World Records has recognized a Carroll County pet as the world's oldest living rabbit.

According to the Associated Press, Owner Jennifer Russell of Silver Run says she received confirmation earlier this month.

Russell figures Heather is between 15 and 16 years old. She was adopted in 1995 with papers saying she was 2 years old. Guinness says most rabbits live to be 6 to 8 years old.

According to Guinness, the oldest rabbit on record was a wild rabbit named Flopsy, who lived to be 18 years, 10 months in Tasmania, Australia, in the 1960s.

Russell says Heather was “a diva” in her prime, growling if the cat got too close. Now, she says Heather is still sassy, but spends her days resting on a comforter, munching on hay and enjoying the sun.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff
        

First Puppy Bo Obama, fresh off his Martha's Vineyard vacation with the family, boards the plane home in Cape Cod and arrives at Andrews Air Force base in Washington. He disembarks from Air Force One with his "I love Obama" leash on and throngs of paparazzi to capture his every bark.  JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: First Dog Bo Obama
        

Who do you love?

There's no doubt here. Bo loves Obama. Of course he is an Obama. Oh well. Healthy self-esteem never hurt a puppy.

The Obama family dog, Bo, lies on a carpet in the White House on July 27. Official White House photo by Chuck Kennedy.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: First Dog Bo Obama
        

After neighbors complained about the smell and about howling dogs, Anne Arundel County authorities removed 21 malnourished and flea-infested dogs Friday morning from an Orchard Beach home.

The feces-filled home in the 7900 block of Sea Breeze Drive was deemed uninhabitable, the Sun's Nicole Fuller reports.

Nineteen dogs were found inside the home and two dogs were taken from a trailer on the property; they all were transported to Animal Control in Millersville for assessment.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Gerard Butler, the actor known for his role in "300" and for allegedly canoodling with starlet Jennifer Aniston, is being accused of smacking a greyhound in New York.

According to a report in Radar Online, the star was walking his pug, Lolita, near the set of "The Bounty," which he is filming with Aniston.

He says he got in a verbal argument with Fred Varecka and his wife Maria after oen of their two greyhounds bit Lolita.

Varecka says his dogs, Mayfly and Mikey, never came near the pug and that Butler hit his dog for no reason.

Associated Press file photo of Gerard Butler.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

Aside from episodes of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" where Guy Fieri gets more than a little excited to chomp into some sandwich or another, I have hardly witnessed such joy from food as this little kitten is getting from his bowl of who-knows-what.

He seems to be saying, "Yum, yum, yum!!!!" with every bite, vocalizing as he gulps it up. Too cute!!

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Pet videos
        

NAME: Haiku.

OWNER: Maryann and Leroy.

HOW THEY MET: By chance. While in New York, a kind family was looking to give away some kittens. They had taken in a pregnant stray who, after giving birth to the kittens, had disappeared.

I tagged along with a friend who was hoping to get one of the orphans. As we stood in the living room, swarmed by little orange and white kitties, I saw a calico, the only girl of the litter, staring out the plate-glass window across the room. It was then that I knew: I wanted that one. (My friend got one of the orange-and-whites, too.)

AGE: 5

HOME: Baltimore.

BREED: American shorthair.

BEST TRICK: Catching flies in mid-air. Reclining half-off the couch at impossible angles.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Enjoying fresh air and the great outdoors in a controlled (Read: gated in) setting. Shamelessly begging visitors for rubs. Converting said visitors into cat lovers. (She’s a professional catvangelist.)

FAVORITE FOOD: Seafood cat treats. They have to be hidden in a drawer at all times.

FUNNIEST MOMENT: When she got stuck on top of the kitchen cabinet, ABOVE the fridge, but then couldn’t get down. (Photos here and here.)

CAN MAKE ANYONE A CAT LOVER: As mentioned before, she’s a catvangelist. She turns to jelly around anyone who has previously denied having any love in their heart for cats.

IF HAIKU HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: Eat, drink and be hairy.

CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPH: Maryann.

To see more pets that have been Collared, click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Collared
        

My pet colleagues at the LA Times pointed out this heartwarming video and I had to, in turn, share. In fact, I'm going to sit Teddy, Leo and Pumpkin down and make them watch it. Maybe Leo will learn something else to do with the doggie other than smack him.... The kneading, the little kitty massage, just shows such love...

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Pet videos
        

NAME: Peanut

OWNER: Marie Gibbs

HOW THEY MET: I saw him, and it was love at first sight.

AGE: 4.

HOME: Bowie.

BREED: Miniature Schnauzer.

BEST TRICK: Telling him to sit and stay, I take a treat and hide it in another room, then tell him to find it.  We do this with toys too, he finds the treats and toys every time!

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Snuggling.

FAVORITE FOOD: Those dried chicken strips from Dogs Well.

FUNNIEST MOMENT: Sometimes when I get up at 4am for work, he will sigh really loud when I turn on the light and roll over so that it’s not in his eyes. 

PREJUDICED AGAINST SQUIRRELS: Really dislikes squirrels, in fact when someone says squirrel he goes out in the yard and looks for them. 

IF PEANUT HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: If it’s on the floor and delicious, it’s mine.  If it’s on the floor and not delicious, you can have it. 

CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPH: Marie Gibbs.

To see more pets that have been Collared, click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Collared
        

In case you think this sort of thing only happens to people who don't really care about animals, here's a horrifying story by the Richmond Times-Dispatch about the head of that city's SPCA who unknowing left her dog, Louie, in the car when she went to work.

When Robin Starr came out for lunch four hours later, she noticed Louie.

It was about 90 degrees in Richmond that day by lunchtime. Louie died later that night.

Apparently Starr's husband put the dog in the car while she was getting ready for work. She drove to work not noticing Louie in the car.

So horribly sad. Please be careful of your animals -- and your children -- in this hot weather. They simply cannot tolerate the heat in a locked car -- even just a minute or two can be dangerous. Read more on animal safety in hot weather here.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (36)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

In the sea of tributes emerging to Sen. Edward Kennedy, who passed away last night, a tiny one to remember is that he's the guy who gave the country First Puppy Bo.

The Kennedy family loved Portuguese Water Dogs and when they found out the Obama family wanted a dog for their girls, and that it had to be hypoallergenic, Sen. Kennedy arranged for the puppy that would become Bo.

The Kennedy family had owned three dogs from the Texas kennel where Bo was born. Bo is from the same lineage as the Kennedy's Porties.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: First Dog Bo Obama
        

SF Weekly has an interesting story about service animals, specifically about how a man who keeps an iguana to help deal with his depression might be forced to give it up if his apartment complex gets its way.

The man featured, Cosmie Silfa, keeps his iguana, Skippy in his apartment along with an assortment of other lizards. He has a note from his doctor attesting that Skippy is part of his treatment plan for depression.

"[S]he provides companionship and motivation for him to stay well," the doctor wrote.

His apartment says the doctor's note is not enough proof and demands more or Skippy gets the boot.

Interesting. One usually thinks of dogs as service animals. Does anyone know of any other species -- birds, cats, rabbits, lizards -- that have been granted "service animal" status?

Photo of Cosmie Silfa and his mood-brightening iguana Skippy courtesy of SF Weekly.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff
        

Hera, a Saint Bernard dog, sits next to some of her nine puppies at the Barry Foundation in Martigny, Switzerland, Wednesday. The nine puppies were born on July 28. (AP Photo/Keystone, Olivier Maire)

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Gabrielle, the kitten set on fire -- twice -- in Baltimore a few weeks ago has healed significantly and is nearly ready to go home. 

And, her handlers say, there's a good home in mind for her. (But more on that later....)

Earlier this month someone in West Baltimore saw kids throwing bricks at the kitten and then she saw them pour liquid on the her. She turned away and when she turned back, the kitten was on fire. Though the kitten extinguished the flames, the kids set her on fire again.

The kitten rescuers named Gabrielle has been being treated for weeks at Spay Maryland hospital in Catonsville. Recycled Love is paying for her care.

"She is very comfortable and has a healthy appetite," Karen Reese with Recycled Love says. "Dr. Sinclair is anticipating a medical release within the next few weeks."

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

As regular Unleashed readers know, we love Nora, the piano playing kitty from Philadelphia. She's been a YouTube sensation for quite some time, but lately, she's getting a second wind of buzz from the traditional media.

Here are some freshly-released fun facts about the famous kitty:

* Nearly 20 million people have watched her play. She has made the television talk show circuit and has videos, two books, her own Web site, a blog, three calendars, mugs, greeting cards, T-shirts and posters.

* She lives with five other cats: Gabby, Max, Rennie, Miro and Clara.

* She was found at a Cherry Hill, N.J., shelter where there was a sign on her cage that said "bossy." She doesn't like other cats.

The Associated Press just moved all of these pictures of Nora voguing for the camera at her home. She's the kitty of piano teacher Betsy Alexander. AP Photo/Matt Rourke.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Fun stuff
        

Here are a few more shots of First Puppy Bo Obama as he arrives at Cape Cod to begin his weeklong Martha's Vineyard vacation with the Obamas. The island has already rolled out the red carpet for him -- there was a dog parade in his honor over the weekend.

White House staff holds fuzzy Bo at the Cape Cod Coast Guard Air Station. JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: First Dog Bo Obama
        

It's our first glipse of the vacationing Bo Obama!! The Obama family dog is walked to the grass by his handler before boarding the helicopters in Cape Cod Coast Guard Air Station, Mass., on Sunday. Hopefully we'll see more Bo as the Obama's Martha's Vineyard vacation unfolds. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Posted by Jill Rosen at 2:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: First Dog Bo Obama
        

How many people do you think would love to have credentials to the Solheim Cup? This dog's got 'em. He's Bunker, the course superintendent's dog at Rich Harvest Farms, where the golf tournament concludes today. Associated Press photo.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 4:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

The president of the ASPCA minced no words about Michael Vick on a note posted on the organization's website on Friday.

Ed Sayres said Vick's people approached his group first, offering to work with them on anti-dogfighting message upon Vick's release from jail. Sayres said no way.

We "immediately turned him down due to the unique knowledge we had of his indescribable and barbaric acts of animal cruelty where he and his associates savagely electrocuted and beat dogs to death after they lost their brutal fights," he wrote. "[T]his organization and I personally have seen the acts of cruelty committed by Mr. Vick first hand—acts so heinous that the public has never laid witness to them."

Vick, convicted for his role in a dogfighting operation, is now working with the Humane Society of the United States. He was recently signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Sayres went on to say he doesn't believe Vick has compassion for animals now or is remorseful for what he did.

He also expressed disappointment in the NFL and the Eagles for hiring him.

"[T]he ASPCA was strongly against him being able to immediately re-join the NFL, to play alongside highly paid elite athletes who are looked upon as our heroes and role models. Today, it is difficult to see him in the uniform of a Philadelphia Eagle because of the startling lack of judgment and moral character he has demonstrated over the past several years. "

Photo shows the scarred face of one of Michael Vick's former fighting dogs.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 3:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

So today I'm going to be spending a fare share of the day watching Michael Phelps and Shaquille O'Neal. The two athletes will be sparring this weekend in Baltimore for a taping of Shaq's new TV show, "Shaq Vs" in which the basketball champ takes on other sports stars at their own games.

This weekend, he'll be trying to outswim Michael Phelps in the pool. 

While that will be fun to watch, I can't help but wish Phelps would bring Herman, his elusive pet bulldog. We see Phelps all the time, but little Herman so rarely. 

Maybe Shaq could beat Herman at swimming? Herman looks rather dense, like he might not float. Then again, so does Shaq. (Shh.)

Picture of Phelps and Herman from the Olympic champ's Facebook page.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

Here's a freebie some might not want to miss in this economy.

Today, Saturday, from 11 a.m. to  4 p.m., the people behind Cesar Bistro dog food will be doing give-aways at the Canton Dog Park, on Toone Street in Southeast Baltimore.

To emphasize that this is "bistro" food, and that it includes ingredients like orzo and spinach, the company will be setting up little tables and chairs for the pups to sample their fare. They say there will even be menus and a table centerpiece.

What, no wine?

They will also be giving away some little bistro dog dishes.

If you can't make it today, the Cesar folks will be in the are for a few more upcoming weekends. Check them out at:

on - SATURDAY, SEPT 12 at Rebel’s Dog Park ~ 2208 Connolly Rd (Fallston 21047)

on - SATURDAY, SEPT 19 at BARC Park / Hannah More Park ~ 12035 Reisterstown Rd (21136)

on - SATURDAY, OCT 3 at Robert E. Lee Memorial PArk ~ Falls Rd at Lakeside Dr (21209)

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

A fair amount of reader blowback has come in concerning a story that I wrote that was posted online yesterday and ran in the print edition of the Sun today.

It concerns an Easton woman whose dog was snatched during a carjacking in West Baltimore this week. The focus of the story is the amazing series of circumstances that led to Amy Gaffney being reunited yesterday morning with the dog. A day after the carjacking, a kind stranger saw the dog running around in the middle of the night and not only stopped to take him home, but brought him to the Maryland SPCA the next morning where the Easton woman had just happened to have filed a missing dog report....)

Anyway, many of you think that because the Easton woman has a rap sheet, we shouldn't have written about her. Or the fact that she has a record somehow taints an otherwise heartwarming  story.

I asked Amy Gaffney about her record and she told me, "I'm not ashamed of what I've done but that doesn't mean that I don't love my kids or that I don't love my dog."

I tend to agree with her. Whether or not she's been arrested in the past for various things seems to have little or nothing to do with her losing her dog and a nice woman from North Baltimore finding it and getting it back to her -- after a car jacking, no less.

Feel free to comment further. ...

Amy Gaffney is reunited on Thursday with her dog, Jojo.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Ok. So today we've found out that the NFL's official shop sells dog jerseys with Michael Vick's name and number AND that someone out there is marketing a Vick chew toy for dogs.

At Unleashed, we won't be giving away anything with Michael Vick on it, but we WILL happily give out a nice prize today for the person who could best explain which of those two items they'd like to have for their dog -- and of couse, why.

Or, maybe you have another Vick dog item in mind that your dog would like to get his paws on...tell us what that might be.

Get your creative comments in by the end of the day, and there will be a prize or two in the works....

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

If you're not interested in the NFL's official Michael Vick dog jersey, then perhaps you're more the type to go for the Vick chew toy. I think some dogs would enjoy gnawing on this...

There's also this link to one for sale on Ebay in his Eagles uniform.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Pet accessories
        

The NFL's online shop thinks it's just fine to sell customized Michael Vick jersey's for dogs.

Yay for capitalism, huh? Taste? Well, that's another story entirely.

According to this story, a Daily News reporter ordered one of the Eagles pet jerseys online, customized with Vick's name and number for $39.99.

"Like any other player, (customers) can obtain that name and that jersey if they wish," league spokesman Greg Aiello told the paper. "As far as putting it on the dog product, he's working with humane societies, working to educate others on this issue, so we don't see a problem."

So Vick ran a dog fighting ring and killed a number of dogs...hey, the shirts are made of a "breathable" fabric and "stylish." What's cruel to dogs about that? Ugh.

NBC's Philadelphia affiliate's headline on this story: NFL Screws the Pooch, Sells Vick Dog Jerseys

The Los Angeles Times headline: On Sale now: Michael Vick jerseys for dogs. Really.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Check out this story in today's Sun: An Annapolis man on Thursday received the maximum sentence, three years, for the killing of his girlfriend's puppy, which Anne Arundel County prosecutors said was part of a two-year pattern of domestic violence.

The sentence was what prosecutors sought for what they called one of most gruesome attacks on a pet coupled with domestic abuse - a combination that experts say is common.

Donte W. McCreary, 20, killed the 3-month-old terrier in front of his girlfriend because she cared more for it than for him, the prosecutor said.

"If this is what he will do to a dog that he thinks she loves more than him, I don't know what he would think of doing [to] a child," said Assistant State's Attorney Kimberly DiPietro, noting that the couple has a 15-month-old son.

What do you think? Fair sentence?

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

This is quite a tale. When an Easton woman was carjacked Tuesday night in West Baltimore, the boys that took her pickup truck also made off with her beloved dog, Jojo.

The suspects apparently tossed Jojo, an 11-pound Lhasa Apso/Peek-a-poo mix, out onto the street soon after, where he wandered for more than day -- in the heat and rainstorms -- until a kind stranger found him. The northwest Baltimore woman coaxed the soaking wet, scared dog into her car and let him sleep the night in her garage.

The next morning, though she was already thinking of keeping him, she dropped him off at the Maryland SPCA, where the Easton woman had just filed a missing dog report. The shelter was able to put two and two together, and Amy Gaffney and her Jojo were reunited this morning.

What a lucky, lucky, dog. It's amazing that he wasn't hurt, that someone found him, that the person who found him had the sense to bring him to a shelter -- that they brought him to the same shelter his owner had contacted. Phew. What a close, close call for Jojo.

Photo courtesy of MDSPCA.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

WASHINGTON — Two minutes after he cleared a private plane for takeoff and a fateful flight over the Hudson River, an air traffic controller at New Jersey's Teterboro Airport was on the phone with a woman in the airport operations office, joking about barbecuing a dead cat.

"We got plenty of gas in the grill?" the controller asked. "Fire up the cat."

"Ooh, disgusting, augh, that thing was disgusting," the woman responded.

According to a draft government transcript obtained by The Associated Press, the two continued to banter until seconds before the private plane collided with a tour helicopter over the Hudson.

Nine people — three members of a Pennsylvania family in the plane and five Italian tourists and a pilot in the helicopter — died in the Aug. 8 accident.

Associated Press file photo of the wreckage of the planes floating in the Hudson River.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

Robyn Crook, the apparent "Jon & Kate Plus 8" for dogs, takes her 18 chihuahua-cross dogs for a routine walk in a triplets baby buggy in downtown Tauranga, New Zealand on Thursday, Aug. 14. (Don't miss the dogs on the bottom of the stroller peeking out.) AP Photo/New Zealand Herald/Bay Of Plenty Times, Mark McKeow.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

NAME: Daphne.

OWNER: Patrick and Angelic S. Sister to Apollo, Pandora, and Pierre.

HOW THEY MET:  Daphne came into our lives when we fostered our first family of felines. Our male cat loved to play with the babies and mom. He was very content to have someone other than his lazy older sister to entertain him.

One by one, all of the kittens were adopted and finally Mom was too. Our cat became very depressed! 

Simultaneously, we were helping another family who had a stray cat wander into their sun room find homes for her and her seven kittens. We found Daphne a home, but the lady who took her was allergic, and pregnant. She returned Daphne to us and we went about our search to get her adopted. She wanted no parts of our feline family, and voiced her discontent by hissing non-stop! She was only 10-12 weeks old! Our oldest cat just ignored her and our youngest was happy to have another baby in the house that he could (attempt) to play with. 

One day, Angelic came home to find Daphne playing with her youngest cat and didn’t want him to go through another depressed state. So Daphne stayed… Although she and the other female still don’t quite get along.

AGE: Approx. 3 yrs.

HOME: Baltimore Highlands.

BREED: Domestic short hair.

BEST TRICK: Sneaking into the laundry room and jumping through a hole in the ceiling to walk between the floors.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Chilling in the bathroom sink, at the most inconvenient times! 

FAVORITE FOOD: Any kind of treat, except fish flavored.

FUNNIEST MOMENT: Her feisty attitude makes us laugh daily!

IF DAPHNE HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: “Mine, mine, mine.  No exceptions!”

To see more pets that have been Collared, click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Collared
        

I know people have been worried about Teddy Bean, who hasn't been feeling so good. I don't want to curse it, but I think The Bean might be on the mend.

He had an episode-free night last night -- the first in three days. And when I went home at lunchtime to check on him, he was still doing fine, all jumping around on the sofa, excited to see me.

The vet wasn't exactly sure what had been upsetting his tummy so badly. But she gave him some fluids and some medicine and sent him on his way -- with instructions to only feed him a tablespoon of chicken and rice every few hours. He gobbles up the spoonful of food and then looks up at me as if to say, "And what else will you be serving tonight to follow that excellent amuse bouche?"....

Anyway, if the progress keeps up, he'll be back to his Bean self by the weekend. Fingers crossed. Thanks everyone who sent him well wishes and nice thoughts. He sends back a tail wag.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 2:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

This has got to be one of the cleverest shelter ad campaigns I've seen. It's the creation of the Michigan Humane Society, which, like pretty much every shelter, is suffering from a deluge of kitties.

Certified Pre-Owned Cats. How awesome is that?

The shelter is giving away adult cats for free. Hance the "zero percent down." It's so Michigan. So Motor City. I love it.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

It's been sooooo long since we've seen any fresh images of First Puppy Bo Obama, that when this picture moved on the wire, even though it's just basically his butt, I had to jump on it.

It's President Barack Obama, Malia, Sasha, and first lady Michelle Obama greeting the dog as they arrived back at the White House on Monday after their trip out West. The girls reportedly ran across the lawn to see their pup. AP Photo/Charles Dharapak.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: First Dog Bo Obama
        

Dogs: The new miracle diet.

Though it seems like more than common sense, researchers at Cornell are deducing that dogs that walk more  have better bodies -- and that their humans who are walking them might, too.

According to this tidbit in USA Today, researchers are trying to figure out if walking the dog helps owners shed and keep off unwanted pounds. An early look at the data shows that the dogs who walk the most steps have a better body condition score, according to researcher Barbour Warren.

Warren and colleagues say they are analyzing the data on the humans now, including attitudes about decisions to walk the dogs or not walk the dogs. Conclusions could be fodder for pamphlets or posters in vet offices. Both canines and humans in the study wore pedometers.

Wonder how many calories people burn while waiting for their dogs to sniff weeds.... 

Check out the full story, here.

Fluffy work-out dog courtesy of MShade's photostream on Flickr.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health
        

NAME:  Fenway.

OWNER: Woody & Heidi. "Brother" of Roxy.

HOW THEY MET: After 11 years of lobbying my wife to get a dog, she took me to a rescue in PA to pick a dog out of a litter of puppies. We sat down and played with the dogs.  Each had its own personality, even at an early age. Fenway kept going to my wife and lying in her lap as if to say, you’re taking me. It was the best choice we’ve ever made!

AGE: 3 yrs

HOME: Baltimore.

BREED: Aussie/Lab.

BEST TRICK: When we have Fenway beg for treats, he gets up on his hind legs and his ears go back. It’s so cute.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Aside from eating (because that’s all he’d ever do if given the choice), I’d say swimming. If water is near, he’ll find it. It doesn’t matter how cold, dirty, or shallow the water is; he’ll find it and cover himself in it.

FAVORITE FOOD: Fenway goes crazy for yogurt.

LIFECHANGING DOG! Fenway immediately changed our lives.  The impact he has had on our lives has been so great, that Woody started a non-profit, Paws for a Cause, to help other dogs that might not be as lucky as Fenway. Heidi and I also coordinate an annual “family” reunion with five of six dogs from Fenway’s litter.

IF FENWAY HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: Show affection for those you love and protect them from harm.

CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPH: Heidi Derricks

To see more pets that have been Collared, click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Collared
        

I'm not sure what the going rate for a really nice German Shepherd is -- but I'm pretty certain $10,000 is a snippet high.

That's what former Phillies star Lenny Dykstra claims to have paid for his dog, according to bankruptcy filings uncovered by The Smoking Gun.

(If one thinks it's a good idea to spend ten grand on a dog that regularly appears at the pound, perhaps it's little wonder they're in bankruptcy.)

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, in June Dykstra went on Bryant Gumbel's show, held up a picture of the dog, and said he planned to buy it for $10K.

"That's a world champion," the paper quotes him as saying. "That's the only dog I'll buy."

Posted by Jill Rosen at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

So, the Bean is still sick. ...

Even though I held back food for 24 hours, and then made him plain boiled chicken and rice for dinner last night -- and only a tiny bit of it at that -- he was still both kinds of sick overnight. So, I'm taking him to the vet in a little bit to see if they might have a little something to soothe his tummy. (I'm now thinking he caught a bug at the vet's office when I took him for his introductory appointment on Friday. I don't see how a little grass or stick-eating would make him sick for three days....)

(BTW, the kitties each got a little nibble of the boiled chicken. Judging from their reaction, I think they're hoping Teddy is sick every day....)

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

The kitty that falls asleep on your pillow purring every night -- is she worth just the $30 you paid for her at the shelter?

Or your loyal dog, who you walk with every day -- what, $150?

That's the value that showed up on your credit card -- but is their real value about more than the pricetag? In a court of law, that might not be the case.

A courtroom in Virginia is wrestling with that very issue, according to this interesting story in Monday's Washington Post.

According to the story, Jeffrey Nanni has sued his former domestic partner, Maurice Kevin Smith, alleging that Smith maliciously killed their 12-pound Chihuahua, Buster, two years ago by hitting him with a wooden board. The suit says, Nanni, 42, a paralegal, "continues to suffer severe emotional distress" and should be compensated for it. He's aksing for monetary damages for Buster's worth, "which includes Buster's unique value . . . as a companion animal."

Virginia law says that dogs and cats are personal property and that owners are "entitled to recover the value" of the pet if the pet is injured or killed. That has been interpreted to mean replacement value.

What do you think? Should the courts try to consider the fuzzy value of love and companionship when itemizing damages? A provocative and tricky issue....

Above is Leo Sesame. I didn't pay much for him, but he means the world to me.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Here's a happy ending from our metropolitan brother to the northeast:

In Philly last March, a stray dog was hit by a car. The apparently homeless dog, named Miss Mickey by folks, suffered a broken pelvis.

But according to this story in the Philadelphia Inquirer, shop owners who witnesses started a fund-drive to raise money for Miss Mickey's vet bills. 

South Street merchant Tony Fisher, who screamed when he saw the accident, solicited money from his customers at the eco-friendly retailer Big Green Earth. He and Marianne Ahern, the dog's foster parent, also used Facebook to get the word out about her condition.

The fund-raising effort netted $4,000, which covered the 25-pound dog's medical expenses, with enough left over for a donation to the city's Fallen Officer's Fund.

Miss Mickey, seen in the above picture, is virtually healed and available now for adoption through the Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Association.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

As I told you earlier this morning, Teddy Bean is not feeling so hot today. He had a really bad night last night -- he was all kinds of sick. Repeatedly.

This is him on the sofa a few minutes ago. It pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?

Posted by Jill Rosen at 4:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

An Unleashed reader brought this to my attenion: A Michigan lawmaker has proposed a $3,500 tax deduction for pet care. How great would that be?!?!?!

U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Mich., recently introduced a bill known as the HAPPY Act. House Resolution 3501, or the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years, would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual to deduct up to $3,500 for “qualified pet care expenses.”

Not surprisingly, the pet care industry thinks the bill is the greatest thing ever.

Read more, here.

Who with pets wouldn't want this???

A Boston Terrier named Tsimmes and a Ragdoll cat, Lardie, (Lardie?? Isn't that mean??) bond at a recent animal event in Manhattan. Feature Photo Service.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff
        

Protesters Elly Scoblink, left, with her dog Rockett, Rob Bedford and his dog Raven, along with his daughter Chelsea, 15, and her dog Tex, all of Philadelphia, protest outside the Philadelphia Eagles NFL football practice facility in Philadelphia, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009. Michael Vick signed a one-year deal with an option for a second year with the football team. Vick was on "60 Minutes" on Sunday saying he "disgusted" with himself. AP Photo/Matt Rourke.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (31)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

I've got a sick Bean on my hands.

I don't know what happened. He was completely fine and then Saturday night at about 2 a.m., I woke up cause he had jumped off the bed -- and then got sick. (Both types of sick.) He was fine the rest of the night --- and the ENTIRE day on Sunday. And then last night -- same thing. Around 2 a.m., he woke up, got both kinds of sick all over the place. But this time, he had episodes every hour or so the rest of the night.

Poor little guy. He must feel really ick.

Just because of the odd timing of it all -- both episodes starting around 2 a.m. -- I'm guessing maybe he ate something in the park, during his 6 p.m.-ish walk? Some grass? A weed? PIeces of stick? If it's not that, then I have no idea.

I just called the vet and they said no feeding the Bean for 24 hours, no water for 12. (Of course I already gave him water last night, thinking that would make him feel better after throwing up. Oh well.)

Any armchair vets have any ideas?

Teddy relaxes on the sofa, still looking cute, even with a very upset tummy.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

So the infamous Michael Vick, just fresh out of jail for his role in a dogfighting ring and fresh into a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, is going to be on "60 Minutes" tonight.

Do you plan to watch? I do. I'm really curious to see what I can pick up about his attitude, his supposed contrition, behind the lines -- though his tone, body language, etc.

The show might include footage from this, Vick's first speaking engagement for the Humane Society. It was at a dog class in Atlanta a week or so ago.  No one was told in advance about the event -- and some people who showed up for class with their dogs were turned away. Vick reportedly spoke for about 12 minutes after being whisked in a back entrance -- and whisked right back out afterward.

So will you be watching? If you do, let us know what you think of his appearance, demeanor, etc. -- and if you think he's actually sorry for, as he calls it, his "mistake," which he did time and time and time again until he was caught for it and put in jail.....the "mistake" that lead to the death of countless dogs over who knows how long.....

(As a friend of mine said the other day, "A 'mistake' is serving red wine with fish. This was not a 'mistake.'")

Above, one of the scarred dogs rescued from Vick's dogfighting operation.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 2:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (72)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

I thought these puppies only came out in the winter. Guess not!

Here, a team of dogs with Snow Cap's Sled Dog Rides is hooked up to a customized golf cart to run a trail through the South Fork of the Swan River Drainage near Breckenridge, Colo.

Under the guidance of Sarah Spalla and Jared O'Neill, Snow Cap is offering summer scenic guided tours with some insight on the Siberian Huskies and how they live and run. The dogs stop several times on the 40-minute tour, cooling off and drinking in the streams.

The golf cart is also on and powered to help the dogs in their runs through the woods, which also serves to train the dogs in the summer, preparing them for winter sled rides.

AP Photo/Summit Daily, Mark Fox.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 5:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Uh.oh. Dogs in Fairfax County, Va, have come down with canine flu. And though it is a whole state away, it's probably a good idea for Maryland dog owners to be aware.

The Washington Post reports that on Friday officials confirmed at least six cases of the H3N8 virus -- the first the state has seen.

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter was shut down its kennel last week, quarantining about 26 dogs with suspected symptoms, the Post said.

Humans can't get this but it's very contagious among dogs. People can, however, spread the disease to dogs if they come in contact with infected ones.

Read the whole story here.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Health
        

Our colleagues at Patuxent reported on a truly horrendous case in which three men unspeakably tortured a cat to death and then threw it in a river.

What's a bit different about this case is that the men were immediately caught and charged.

Here's what Bryan P. Sears reported: Kevin Abel, 19, Scott McDowell, 18, and Richard Rioux, 25, were all arrested Thursday night and charged with animal cruelty and abuse resulting in the cat’s death in an incident which occurred July 31 in the Edgemere area, according to Bill Toohey, a police spokesman.

Abel, of the 4300 block of Bedrock Road in White Marsh, was house sitting for a friend in the 3100 block of Lynch Road near Edgemere, Toohey said.

According to police reports, Abel invited McDowell to the house shortly before midnight. When he arrived Richard Rioux was there as well, Toohey said

Rioux was allegedly “spinning the cat around in a circle on the floor, hitting the cat, putting the cat in a microwave, in the freezer and spinning him on a ceiling fan before putting the cat in a bag with rocks and tossing him into (Back River) off Lynch Point,” Toohey said.

Toohey said all three men were intoxicated at the time of the incident.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (23)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

Here's an SOS that just came into Unleashed. Can someone help this woman's friend before she drowns in kitty pee?:

I live in NY and love reading your blog.

I have a friend who is having a problem with a new cat.  He has had the kitten/cat for several months but recently she has developed some strange behavior.  They have ruled out health problems already.  The cat has been urinating on their bed and couch right in front of them.  They have been cleaning the cat box three times a day just to rule that out too. They are at their last straw and are getting rid of the Kitty. Has anyone ever solved a problem like this. I want him to be able to modify the behavior before Kitty has to go bye bye.

Any thoughts?

Patty

This kitty's problem, if he has one, isn't peeing. Photo courtesy of DanPerry.com's photostream on Flickr.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

A New Jersey man with allergies, a love of cats and a lot of extra money is suing a Delaware company for failing to deliver the one thing he didn't have: a "hypoallergenic kitten."

Andrew Reale says he signed a contract for the kitten with Allerca, which also is known as Lifestyle Pets, in 2007. He paid $7,900 for the kitty. The Warren resident is still waiting for delivery.

According to the suit, as reported in The Associated Press, the company sent Reale an e-mail saying delivery had been affected by "decreased kitten production."

The biotech company's Web site claims its cats are bred to produce a genetically engineered protein that will not cause allergic reactions in humans. However, the scientific community has raised questions about the claim.

Pictured above is a lovely, allergy-laden regular kitten, courtesy of Tina Keller's Photostream on Flickr.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

After weeks of conjecture involving at least half the teams in the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles finally stepped forward Thursday and signed controversial quarterback Michael Vick, taking a gamble on a once supremely talented player who hasn't set foot on the field since the 2006 season.

Unleashed recently bandied around the idea of Vick coming to the Ravens. Judging from your response, many of you are undoubtably breathing a sigh of relief that he's not coming to Baltimore. Vick was recently released from jail after spending 19 months in prison for leading a dogfighting ring.

"I've seen people close to me have had second chances that have taken advantage of those," Eagles Coach Andy Reid said. "It's very important that people give them opportunities to prove that they can change. So we're doing that with Michael."

Animal activists in Philly are already protesting.

The former Atlanta Falcon was charged in 2007 with dogfighting conspiracy. The court case revealed gruesome details of how Vick's Virginia-based operation treated pitbulls. Authorities found dogs, some injured and scarred, chained to buried car axles. Forensic experts discovered remains of dogs that had been shot with a .22-caliber pistol, electrocuted, drowned, hanged or slammed to the ground for lacking a desire to fight.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Gibson, the California dog dubbed the tallest in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records, has died after a battle with bone cancer.

The 7-year-old harlequin Great Dane from Grass Valley measured 7 feet, 1 inch when standing on its hinds legs.

He was diagnosed with the disease in April and had his front right leg amputated to prevent its spread.

Gibson's owner, Sandy Hall, learned last week the Cancer had spread to his lungs and spine and that no treatment that could save him. Hall decided to euthanize Gibson on Friday.

Gibson appeared on "The Tonight Show," ''The Oprah Show" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," and on Japanese Television in 2006 after being named the world's tallest dog.

Here Gibson, a Great Dane, right, and Zoie, a Chihuahua walk awkwardly in Grass Valley, Calif. Gibson, the California dog dubbed the tallest in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records, died Friday, Aug. 7, 2009 after a battle with bone cancer. (AP Photo/Science, Deanne Fitzmaurice)

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

NAME: Bogart Hoover (I Eat Live A Vacuum Cleaner) Neumann.

OWNER: CITYPEEK.com CEO Patti Neumann.

HOW THEY MET: Patti researched and found a non-shedding, gentle breed and breeder. She traveled to South Florida to pick up her 10-week-old bundle of fur, who as a pup, looked like a bear cub.

AGE: 7 years.

HOME: Inner Harbor Baltimore.

BREED: Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.

DAY JOB: Chief of Security at HQ of www.CITYPEEK.com.

Part Time: Model for advertisements.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Sleeping, Eating, playing with his girlfriends, India and Sophie-Daffodil Mini-Schnauzers, sleeping, following Mommy everywhere, playing on Facebook.com's
Dogbook.

FAVORITE FOOD: Hoover, as a nickname, he rarely meets a food he doesn't love! Hey, he's a terrier!

IF BOGART HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE IT WOULD BE: I pull, you follow! Love & Licks.

PHOTO COURTESY OF: CITYPEEK.com.

To see more pets that have been Collared, click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Collared
        

The Sun ran this photo by Jed Kirschbaum on page 3 in today's paper. It's taken at Patterson Park. The cutline under the photo said: Daryl Solomon of East Baltimore is taking his pit bull Gucci for a ride/walk....

Readers have written in, outraged at what they see is clearly someone who's put weights on their dog and might be training him for dog fighting.

Sharon Donovan wrote in, "This photo has me so upset. Doesn't your photographer, Jed Kirschbaum know that this poor pit bull is being abused? Pit bulls wearing heavy weights are being trained for dog fighting. This fool owner, riding his bike and clutching his cell phone, should be locked up, not idealized."

Dale Atkinson wrote: "I am very disturbed by the picture you took...instead of taking your photo, you should have called the SPCA, Animal Control or the police."

Stewart Lyons wanted to know: "Did the photographer ask any questions?  Did he report this suspicious behavior to the police? Did The Sun think it might be promoting dog fighting by publishing this photo?"

What do you think? Does this photo show something innocent or something potentially dangerous for the dog? Please share your thoughts....

Kirschbaum tells Unleashed that it didn't occur to him that the dog was potentially being abused.

"It didn't occur to me that this was a fighting dog," he said this afternoon. "The dog seemed to be frolicking."

He added that usually someone doing something illegal isn't willing to share his name and his dog's name -- as this man did.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (88)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Gabrielle, the kitten kids recently tortured and burned in West Baltimore, is healing well, her doctor says.

"She's eating and comfortable and healing really well," Dr. Leslie Sinclair at Spay Maryland in Catonsville said this morning. Sinclair added that she "absolutely" thinks the small black and white kitten is going to make it.

Someone called animal control a week or so ago after seeing kids throwing bricks at the kitten and then pouring a liquid on her and setting her on fire. Though the kitten was able to quash the flames, the kids set her on fire a second time.

Recycled Love is handling her vet bills and plans to offer her for adoption as soon as she's healed.

If everything keeps going as well as it's been going, Sinclair guesses that could be as soon as three weeks from now. The doctor said there's a good chance Gabrielle will even be able to re-grow fur in the burned area.

"She's just a sweetheart," Sinclair said. "If anyone goes by her cage, she stands up and purrs. She's going to make someone a wonderful cat."

Photo of Gabrielle starting to heal by Karen Reese of Recycled Love.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

It's hot, it's Friday. You and the pup deserve a margarita. Or a "barkarita," as the case may be.

Check out the Barkaritaville edition of MDSPCA's Wine & Wag happy hour, from 5:30 to 7:30 this Friday. They encourage you and the dog to wear something tropical to suit the occasion. But I don't think it's required.

You can get tickets online for $10 buy them in person at the event for $15.

There will be a treasure hunt on the grounds for dog things, tours of the adoption area, paw painting, a pool party for the dogs and a chance for some off-leash play in the fun runs. There will be drinks for sale provided by The Wine Source and snacks from Lebanese Taverna.

They ask that you limit yourself to bringing just one dog.

Picture of laidback, barkaritaville sort of dog courtesy of Sister72's photostream on Flickr.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Events
        

Wow. America might have talent, but it seems at least one dog has more than some people.

A springy pup named Rory who can do wonders with a Frisbee has made it to the finals of "America's Got Talent."

Judge Piers Morgan said if the dog made it that far and not a piano-playing singer, it would be "the biggest scandal" in the history of the show. So, I guess it is. I wonder what Rory will buy with $1 million. That's a lot of Milkbones.

Judge Sharon Osbourne, however, called Rory's performance "brilliant."

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (58)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

A television judge yesterday awarded a Coney Island freak show owner some money, but did not give him the once five-legged puppy he's after.

Judge Jeanine Pirro ruled during a taping of her show Wednesday that freak show owner John Strong is entitled to $4,000 after the dog's owner backed out of a contract to sell the Chihuahua-terrier mix to him.

Calvin Owensby agreed to sell the five-legged puppy formerly known as Precious to Strong on June 29. Strong sent Owensby $1,000, with a promise to deliver $2,000 more when Precious got to New York.

But Owensby, an unemployed electrician from Gastonia, N.C., balked days later after researching Strong online. "I didn't know it was a freak show," he tearfully told Pirro. "He said it was an amazing animal show."

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

If you love Nora, the piano playing kitty -- and who doesn't? -- you won't want to miss this story about her in USA Today. The photo gallery alone is worth the click. Way, way, waaaay too adorable.

A friend introduced me to the YouTube video about Nora a while ago, and it's just delightful. I told you recently about how she inspired a "Catcerto."

Nora's owner, Betsy Alexander of Philadelphia, tells the paper one day when Nora was one and a half, she heard someone playing the piano downstairs -- they couldn't imagine who.

"We went on the stairs and came halfway down, and there's Nora sitting there with her little perfect piano paws going plink, plink, plunk, plink," Alexander told the paper. Nora is the sixth kitty in her househould.

"Then she looks up at us like: 'How am I doing? Did you like it?' And we went berserk. We were laughing and applauding, and I guess that impressed her so much she was willing to continue the behavior."

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

Bethenny Frankel, part of the reality show Real Housewives of New York City, poses on the red carpet with her dog Cookie. The two recently attended QVC's Super Saturday Live at Nova's Ark Project in Water Mill, New York. Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images for QVC.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

I was just reading back a post from July 3, the day I brought home a scraggly and very scared dog. I was going to foster him for a while. A week, maybe.

As many of you know, that's Teddy Bean. the name I came up with -- disappointing many of you who wanted to call him Chip, as in chocolate chip. He just seemed like a Teddy to me. And like a little black bean.

In that first picture, he seems so skinny and gawky, so shorn and concerned. He was relying heavily on his carrier then, going back inside to sleep, to search for some measure of security. But even then, he'd sniff around outside it, realizing within hours that pillows were soft, very good for a small Bean. On just his second day, he discovered he had a taste for cheese -- extra sharp Cheddar from Wegmans. A little cheese hound was born! They certainly didn't give him any of that in the puppy mill he'd spent his entire life in.

One week became two. Two became four. And then five. Teddy was coming out of his shell, particularly on walks to the park. Though he shied away humans -- what good had he seen from them? -- on the way to Patterson Park he'd all-but-prance, tail high in the air, pulling on the leash to get there faster, faster, faster...

And then one day, on the way home, I realized that he was turning the corner to my street before I lead him that way. And he hopped up the three steps to my door as if he'd been doing it forever. When he got to the top and waited for me to unlock the door, I started saying "Teddy's home!" One day I guess I really meant it.

I adoped The Bean on Sunday. He's officially mine. I made an honest dog of him. 

So I guess I could continue his updates for a bit -- let you know how he's doing. I mean, if you want. He's not going anywhere.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (36)
Categories: Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

On the one hand, it doesn't look comfortable. But on the other hand, it looks like the dog is having a good time.

According to the folks who poasted this, their dog here, Sara, has been swinging like this in the park for years and LOVES it.

The video has been making the rounds. It's got more than 110,000 views on YouTube. There are number of other videos posted there of dogs swinging, but this seems to be the most popular by far.

Has anyone actually tried this with their dog? Results?

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Pet videos
        

A number of animal advocacy organizations are complaining that Leona Helmsley's estate isn't going to the dogs -- as promised.

According to this Associated Press story, animal welfare groups have accused the trustees of Helmsley's estate of a "scheme to deprive dog welfare charities" of their stake in the real estate baroness' fortune.

The hotel magnate, who died in 2007 at 87, had a beloved Maltese named Trouble. She named Trouble as a beneficiary in her will, leaving a $12 million trust fund for him before a judge whittled it down to $2 million.

Humane Society of the United States, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Maddie's Fund say the trustees of Helmsley's estate are ignoring her wishes to use her money to help dogs.

File photo of Leona Helmsley and her dog, Trouble.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

A Chicago TV judge is set to hear the case of the formerly five-legged puppy.

Former New York district attorney Jeanine Pirro's show is being taped today.

Plaintiff John Strong operates a New York animal show that features disfigured animals. He's suing the dog's original owner, Calvin Owensby, for $4,000.

Strong says Owensby reneged on an agreement to sell him the animal for $3,000. Owensby says they didn't sign a contract.

Owensby sold the Chihuahua-terrier mix for $4,000 to a North Carolina woman who wanted to keep the puppy out of the animal show. She's had the dog's fifth leg removed.

Strong says he's being paid $300 to appear on Pirro's show. If he wins the case, he plans to fight in court to reclaim the dog.

The show will air Sept. 21.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 2:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Earlier this afternoon I posted about an adorable litter of puppies that someone left outside yesterday, sealed in a plastic tub. Yesterday was the hottest day of the year, at nearly 100 degrees.

Here is some more details about the little sweeties from Jennifer Mead-Brause, executive director of BARCS:

"Late yesterday afternoon a litter of 8 retriever mix pups were founding the Highland area of Baltimore by two young men. The young men heard a noise from the container and opened it to find 8 almost lifeless pups. Their quick actions in trying to cool the pups down with cool water and air conditioning helped save the pups.

When the pups arrived at BARCS they had temperatures over 107 degrees. Dr. Bobbie Mammato and the BARCS staff quickly cooled them down with a cool water bath and subcutaneous fluids. The pups were then sent to Everhart animal Hospital for further observation.

All pups are doing well and it is not believed that they suffered any permanent damage. The pups are going to be turned over to Ruff Life Rescue for their continued care and adoption."

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Someone without much sense left this litter of adorable puppies in a closed plastic tub yesterday -- when temperatures in Baltimore neared 100 degrees.

Thankfully someone got the pups to BARCS. Now the shelter desperately needs foster parents for the puppies.

If you're interested, please contact Debra Rahl at BARCS at 410-396-4695.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

As many of you know, I've been fostering Teddy Bean, a poodle who came to Baltimore by way of the Almost Heaven kennel near Allentown, Pa., by all accounts, a "hellish" puppy mill. Teddy was pulled out of there in a raid in June along with more than 200 sick and scared dogs.

Eighteen of those dogs, including The Bean, came to Baltimore and in this story in today's Sun, I look at how some of the others are doing. Puppy mills dogs are hard cases. They've led horrible lives, confined in cages, steeped in filth, left hungry. ... and they all bear the psychological scars.

Even so, they're very adorable dogs that never last long in a shelter. June, the Labradoodle above, went home with a Mount Vernon couple who love her despite some pretty hard core separation anxiety issues. Lolly is a very scared poodle who went home with a retiree.

Anyway, it's a worthwhile to read if you're thinking about rescuing a puppy mill dog -- or even if you've just heard about puppy mills but don't really understand the realities of them.

Sun photo of June by Jed Kirschbaum.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

Don't forget to vote for The Bean!! There's lots riding on his victory. And you only have till Friday to vote. Right now he's, um, losing. So you can vote everyday -- once per computer. Let's take the little puppy mill pup to the top!

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

Liz Kay, part of the team that handles the Sun's Consuming Interests blog, pointed out this story in Smart Money: 10 Things Veterinarians Won't Tell You. Some of this you might already know, but it's helpful information to have in the back of your mind as consider a trip to the vet.

Here are a few of the most useful points:

1. “Good thing you love Sparky like a son. His care could cost as much.”
These days veterinary medicine can be every bit as sophisticated as human health care — and the costs reflect it. From 2002 to 2006, the average cost of a veterinary visit for a dog rose from $172 to $219; for cats, from $133 to $172.

2. “Vaccinating your pet may do more harm than good.”
For years the primary reason for seeing a veterinarian was to get your pet vaccinated against a host of diseases. However, some veterinarians say they’re not only unnecessary but can actually be harmful in some cases. Plus, the immunity provided by some shots can last well beyond a year.

5. “Surgery’s a cinch. It’s the overnight stay you should be worried about.”
We’d all like to think a beloved pet will be tenderly nurtured through the night after surgery at a veterinary office or hospital. But many vets don’t staff their offices overnight—it’s important to ask about what happens in the wee hours.

Read the full story here.

Sun file photo of Baltimore cat named Tony.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health
        

NAME: Tucker.

NICKNAME: Tuck.

OWNER: Kirstin Whitehead.

HOW THEY MET: Tucker showed up on my door step. I had just moved to Lafayette, Ind., for college and Tucker found me. I posted signs and contacted the animal shelters for 4 months but I guess Tucker was meant for me. 

AGE: 2 years old.

HOME: Lafayette, Ind.

BREED: Lab/Australian Shepherd mix.

FAVORITE ACTIVITIES: Going for walks, fetch, going for a ride in the car.
Visiting Petsmart, and being the mascot for my summer softball team.

BEST TRICKS: Roll over.

FAVORITE FOODS: Flip flops, TV remotes, any kind of dog treat I buy.

HE DIDN'T GET THE MEMO: Tucker thinks he's the size of a chihuahua, he will run across the living room and jump onto your lap with all his might. He weighs around 75 lbs.
 

To see more pets that have been Collared, click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Collared
        

And the Great Battle for Dog Snuggies of 2009 has closed....

It was a most healthy competition -- especially among those vying for a Snuggie to fit a small dog. Clearly many Unleashed readers really, really, really, really want to your little fur things into a blanket with sleeves. As for you large dog owners -- what, you don't like your dog to be warm and cozy AND be able to answer his cell phone at the same time? Sheesh.

Anyway.

I was most impressed with a number of the "applications." Many were appeals from dogs themselves. Who knew so many dogs were online? Like CiCi, a "foster transport failure" who loves life in the North with her new family but, when shivering in January, still longs for those sunny Southern winters. Or the daschund named Hamish who plaintively wrote, "I only need a small one, just one little small Snuggie to make me feel safe and warm. I promise I'll wear it everyday."

Very, very close seconds were Winston, a Jack Russell Terrier who would like to use the Snuggie for its intended multi-tasking purpose: Licking and scratching at the same time, and Sophie. The owner of Sophie, a snuggle-holic Chihuahua, thought she deserved a Snuggie for swallowing her jealous, protective doggie side to warmly embrace her new human baby brother.

But the winner is Chi-Chi, a former scrappy street dog who charmed his way into his mom's life and needs a Snuggie so that he can stay warm while attending to his business of "boinging" around the house, barking at dogs from the window and roughhousing with his sisters. Congrats Chi-Chi.

The winner of the large-sized Snuggie was a bit easier. The big Snuggie goes to Maisy, a pit bull with a little extra to love, who gets cold at night because her mom tries to keep her BGE bills lower than her mortgage.

Thanks to everyone who participated -- what fun! And don't forget Chi-Chi and Maisy, we expect to see those photos as soon as the temperature drops back below 90 bazillion.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

John Farrington shows off a hat he designed featuring the most famous of Portuguese Water Dog's Bo Obama. He's in Edgartown, Mass., on the island of Martha's Vineyard. President Barack Obama and his family will visit Martha's Vineyard and stay at the Blue Heron Farm off South Road in Chilmark while on vacation during the last week of August. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: First Dog Bo Obama
        

Despite serious burns, Gabrielle, the kitten tortured in West Baltimore, is hanging in there.

Karen at Recycled Love told me yesterday that the eight-month-old kitty, is a fighter. She visited her at the hospital on Sunday. (Recycled Love has assumed care of Gabrielle from BARCS.)

"She is doing wonderfully well for all that she has been through," she said. "She continues to be a loving and sweet cat. She is so responsive to human contact; she purrs constantly when she is being petted. 

"It will probably be two weeks before we can really be optimistic. As with any burns or open wounds, infection is always a concern. But at this point, her prognosis is good."

A citizen called animal control about a week ago saying she saw several kids throwing rocks and bricks at the tiny black and white cat. She saw them pour a liquid on the cat. She turned away and when she turned back, the cat was burning. The cat was able to roll and put the flames out, but the kids caught it and set it on fire a second time.

The Snyder Foundation is offering a reward of $1,000 for anyone that comes forward with information leading to the conviction of the individuals responsible for this crime.

Police are investigating the case.

Meanwhile, Karen says there's been a lot of interest in adopting Gabrielle, should she pull through. I forwarded her the names of a few Unleashed readers who said they'd might like to have her. If anyone else is interested, I'd be happy to pass on your contact information, too.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

The film, directed by John Hamburg, opened in Egypt last month, but the scene with the dog had earlier been excised by the distributor. Word of the scene only came to light in the last week when it was publicized by an Egyptian Web site.

"This has caused serious psychological and moral damages to the plaintiff, as President Sadat is a prominent figure in the Arab history in general and in Egyptian history in particular," the lawyer's brief said. "Everyone agrees that he is a unique leader who was politically savvy, and has worked hard to serve his country."

Muslims believe dogs can violate ritual purity and consider them unclean. Calling someone a dog is one of the worst insults in the Middle East.

A scene from "I Love You Man" featuring the dog named Anwar Sadat.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

No one worries so much about the puppies and kittens -- the easy-to-adopt animals that seem to fly out of shelters.

It's the others that need help. The older ones. The ones with health issues. Maybe they're too big. Or the wrong color.

To nudge people into considering these less obvious pets, Petfinder has declared Aug. 12 Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Day.

Petfinder.com surveyed shelters and found that 96 percent of them have adoptable pets with "extreme difficulty" finding homes. More than 40 percent have pets who've been waiting for homes for one or even two years.

Petfinder's survey found:

* The No. 1 reason a pet has difficulty getting adopted is because of old age.

*  The No. 2 factor cited was medical problems

*   40 percent of shelters and rescue groups said animals that are too large are often overlooked, and 43 percent said that color plays a part.

*   47 percent said that shy pets are overlooked.

Above, left, Sandy, a Pit bull mix, who's 6 years old, available now at BARCS, would be considered a harder-to-adopt pet. She's been at the shelter since June. At right is Holly, a 6-year-old tortoise-shell kitty available at the MDSPCA.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

Donna Meade Dean, wife of Jimmy Dean, stands with dog, Pepper, beside the stone fireplace inside the den of their home in the Varina district of Henrico County, just outside Richmond, Va. She's talking about how they escaped the fire that heavily damaged the structure several months ago.

The Deans are living in their "party house" while their main house is being rebuilt. The wood in the fireplace never ignited, even though flames were all around.

Isn't it fitting that Jimmy Dean's dog is named Pepper? Kind of spicy and sausage-y.

AP Photo/Richmond Times-Dispatch, Bob Brown.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society, said the group wants to be open and reach as many people as possible with its anti-dogfighting message. But the tightly controlled appearance comes as Vick is trying to rehabilitate his image and ease his path back to the NFL.

"We all realize that he's in a special circumstance," Pacelle said. "We don't want this to be a flash in the pan. We are committed to transparency over the long run and having Michael involved in many community-based events to speak about the issue. I don't want to put words in his mouth, but he wants the opportunity in a controlled setting to make his first statement on the issue. But I'm sure he's going to be speaking out more based on what he had to say today."

The quarterback is apparently planning to do his first major interview since completing a 23-month prison sentence with the CBS news magazine "60 Minutes," which sent a three-person crew to film the event. The AP was barred from entering, and the windows were covered to prevent anyone from looking inside. Eventually, police were called, and all media were forced to stand on a sidewalk in front of the complex.

The Humane Society did not publicize the event, going along with the media plan laid out by Vick's handlers even if it meant missing the chance to make a real impact in a community where he is still revered for his brilliant play during six years with the Falcons.

"We're giving him an opportunity to plug into our community-based forums," Pacelle said. "But he obviously has his own set of individuals who are working with him and want to present things in the way they want."

A Vick representative said the quarterback would have no comment on the appearance.

Vick entered through a back door and spoke for about 12 minutes, Pacelle said. The small audience was moved by what it heard.

"He said he did wrong," 17-year-old Stanley Jones said. "Now he's trying to come up with a smarter way to help the whole community, for young people like us, to make a change."

Dustin Meadows of Barnesville, Ga., arrives with his dog Jack Jack for a pit bull training class which teaches basic dog care but was turned away because Michael Vick was at the meeting, Sat., August 8, 2009, in Atlanta. Vick arrived at a suburban Atlanta community center to talk to inner-city youths about how to deal with potentially violent dogs. The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback entered the New Life Community Center through a back entrance Saturday for an event put on by the Humane Society of the United States. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

NAME: HANNAH.

OWNER: The Maryland SPCA.

HOW THEY MET:  She was transferred to the Maryland SPCA from another facility.

AGE: 1 year 6 months.

HOME: Baltimore City, Maryland at 3300 Falls Road. For now.

BREED: Beagle.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Cuddling with people or following her nose on leashed walks.

IT'S ALWAYS THE QUIET ONES: Hannah is a gorgeous & shy Beagle looking for a new home.  She’s spayed & UTD with vaccines.

IF HANNAH HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: The nose knows!!

CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPH: MDSPCA.

To see a recent Ready to be Collared, click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Collared
        

It's another week. The Bean didn't win last week. Maybe cause he only had a few days of competition and other dogs had a full week? It certainly couldn't be his lack of cute. No way. I promise if he wins, I'll use the money to host a party for Unleashed readers and their pets and donate to local shelters.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

Celebrity chef and dog lover Rachel Ray plans to distribute more than $200,000 to needy animal organizations.

The money is proceeds from her pet food brand, Nutrish.

Ray launched the “Mutt Madness Awards Program” to find "the most deserving charitable organizations in America." She's looking for groups that have "demonstrated exceptional commitment to pet rescue, rehabilitation or adoption."

Charities, with 501(c)(3) status that employ no-kill practices, can go to this website and apply to be considered for a Mutt Madness Award. 

The deadline is Sept. 30.

Ray will narrow the field to 64 with the help of Kathy Griffin,

Beth Ostrosky Stern and one of New York magazine's "Best Vets,” Dr. Peter Harris Kross.

Once the 64 are chosen and announced they will be randomly assigned spots in the Mutt Madness brackets and receive $1,000. The charities will be judged head-to-head by visitors to the site -- winners move on in the bracket and have a chance to win more money.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

According to MLB.com, a gray kitty appeared mysteriously on the field of Kauffman Stadium during Wednesday's game between Kansas City and Seattle.

Some thought it came from the stands. Others pointed to the Mariners' bullpen.

"It jumped from the stands into our bullpen," Mariners' reliever Shawn Kelley told MLB.com. "It scaled an eight-foot wall, it really did."

The cat, the report says, bolted around the diamond, moving toward home plate, before running down the right-field line.

The game was delayed for nearly two minutes at the top of the fifth inning before stadium officials corralled the kitty.

GO KITTY GO! HEAD FOR HOME!  AP Photo/Charlie Riedel.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

A kitten is fighting to survive after kids threw bricks at her and then set her on fire in West Baltimore.

The 8-month-old cat, named Gabrielle at BARCS where she's being treated this morning, was deliberately set on fire and burned in the Garrison Avenue neighborhood, the shelters executive directer Jennifer Mead-Brause says.

Despite serious burns on her side and back, she's hanging in there, walking around and even purring, Mead-Brause told Unleashed this morning.

"She's doing OK," she said. "I feel good about her. She's going to take a long time to recover and like with Phoenix, she's got to be able to fight off the infection."

Phoenix, a pit bull puppy, was doused with gasoline and set on fire in Southwest Baltimore in May. She had to be euthanized a few days later after her kidneys began to fail due to her injuries.

[UPDATE 11:08 a.m. The Snyder Foundation is offering a reward of $1,000 for anyone that comes forward with information leading to the conviction of the individuals responsible for this crime.]

In the case of Gabrielle, a tiny black and white cat, Animal Control received a call from a citizen concerning a cat that had been set on fire. The citizen stated that she saw several kids throw rocks and bricks at the cat and then pour a liquid on it. She turned away and when she turned back, the cat was burning. The cat was able to roll and put the flames out, but the kids caught it and set it on fire a second time.

That was about a week ago. Animal Control was finally able to find the cat and get her treated yesterday.

Local animal rescue group Recyled Love will be taking over Gabrielle's treatment and care, probably starting today. She's being treated with pain medication and antibiotics.

Police will be investigating the case, BARCS says. Mead-Brause wasn't sure if this case is related to cat burnings earlier this summer in Northwest Baltimore.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (89)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

When we announced the invention of the Dog Snuggie last week, reaction was HUGE. Clearly people have been dreaming of this moment, a chance to sit side-by-side on the sofa with their dog, in matching be-sleeved blankets.

Well, thanks to Unleashed, that could be you -- as soon as next week.

I've got one in a size Small (for very small Teddy Bean sized dogs.) And I've got a Large, for dogs that aren't huge, but, say, Lassie-sized.

All you need to do is tell me, in extreme detail, why your dog needs a Snuggie. You also have to tell me if you're shooting for the Small or the Large.... AND -- and this is critical -- you must promise that if you win one, you'll send back pictures of your dog in it. Bonus if you have a Snuggie and will swear that the picture will include both of you all Snuggie-fied.

Get your responses in by late afternoon today, if possible. And I'll announce the winner on Monday. Like last week's Crazy Cat Lady contest, the two winners will be chosen on the quality of their responses. There could be Unleashed magnets for a few runners-up.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (21)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

I can't resist an inter-species nursing photo. I should make it a separate Unleashed category. Just a week or so ago we had this one with panda cubs. And who could forget this adorable one with a dog raising kittens?

This one raises the stakes a bit though. In these pictures taken about a week ago in China, three lion cubs and a tiger cub nurse from their surrogate mother, a dog. They're at a safari in Hefei, central China's Anhui province.

The dog has been feeding the cubs since June after their biological mothers abandoned them. AP photos.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

A new program that redistributes shelter animals, has left the Baltimore Humane Society atypically flush with yipping, yapping and springing small dogs and puppies.

This weekend, 31 pups arrived at the Reisterstown shelter from rural Tennessee. Because that shelter was overflowing with animals and was prepared to euthanize them, the Humane Society agreed to take in the dogs.

According to Heather Hart, the Humane Society’s animal center director, the swap is a new initiative aimed to bring dogs from crowded southern shelters to the north, where they’re more in demand.

“There, people aren’t willing to adopt and here, we’ve got people who will adopt but we don’t have the dogs they’relooking for,” Hart said.

The dog shipment includes Chihuahuas, Chihuahua mixes, Beagles, Jack Russell puppies and other popular breeds that typically go fast at area shelters.

Most of the dogs are ready for adoption. A few, including the eight squirmy Jack Russell puppies, need a little more time before their public deput.

Thursday morning the pens were filled with a variety of Chihuahuas, barking and leaping at their gate to greet visitors. There was Chico, Tinkerbell, Buster and Blackie — all extremely high energy, petite Chihuahuas. More mellow but still very social were Cloud and Robin, larger, white Chihuahua mixes.

There was even Freddie, an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix with long, glossy fur. He’s not a small dog. Keith, an Australian Shepherd mix puppy, only 11 weeks old, won’t stay small for long, either.

“Alot of them are just so happy to get in your lap,” Hart says. “They’re all very friendly.”

If you're interested in any of the puppies, you might want to email the Humane Society or drop by in person because their phones have been down since last week's storm.

At top, Mad Max, a terrier mix puppy, is getting ready to be offered for adoption at the Baltimore Humane Society. He's one of a shipment of 31 small dogs and puppies the shelter got from rural Tennessee, where they were set to be euthanized. Below are eight Jack Russell puppies. At lower left is Freddie, an Australian Shepherd/Bordie Collie mix. A lower right is Cloud, a young Chihuahua mix. All Sun Photos by Kim Hairston.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

What a love! In Japan, "Love-Kun", a 3-day old chihuahua puppy was born with a perfect heart-shaped marking. He's at Pucchin Dog's in Odate, Akita prefecture.

The new puppy is the brother of  2-year old chihuahua "Heart-Kun" who was also born with a perfect heart-shaped marking on his back from the same parents.

Photo by Pucchin Dog's via Getty Images.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 2:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

If you loved reading about Dewey, the library cat, the first time -- there's more coming.

I'll admit, I skimmed through "Dewey" last year (I only wanted to read about the kitty, not about the library or the librarians) and got weepy when he died. 

According to Media Bistro, the Iowa librarian who co-wrote the first book about her beloved orange kitty, and reportedly landed a million contract for it, might get millions more with the sequel.

Here is what the site reports: 

Foundry Literary + Media founder Peter McGuigan reportedly landed a million dollar deal for author Vicki Myron at Dutton--hoping to replicate the success of Hachette's surprise bestseller, "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World."

Myron co-wrote the original book--about the lost cat who charmed a library in Iowa--with Bret Witter, and he will return to work on the new book, "Dewey's Nine Lives." According to Publishers Weekly, Hachette will publish two picture books about the cat in coming months. Editor Carrie Thornton bought the book, and publication is set for fall 2010.

Here's more from the article: "The industry chatter is that the Penguin imprint paid a $2 million advance for 'Dewey's Nine Lives,' which is in the same vein as Dewey. McGuigan said, in describing the book, that it's about the 'amazing relationships between cats and their people' and added that it will also feature new stories about Dewey himself."

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

Leo and Pumpkin have obviously had some sort of a kitty summit where they decided that they weren't going to eat any more wet food.

This is new. They just decided this a week ago. They didn't issue a formal announcement -- they just started leaving their wet food in the dish, eating around it to get to the dry food. The weird thing is that up until this, they loved the wet food the most -- they gobbled it up first.

I guess as long as they're eating, there's no real problem. And according to Consumer Reports, the dry food is just as healthy as the wet. (And it costs less, too, so I'm not exactly complaining.) But it's just weird.

Where did this come from? Will they at some point want to go wet again?

Has anyone else ever had kitties that swore off something they once loved for no apparent reason? And two of them, in on it together? What are the chances of that? I thought I could count on Pumpkin to eat everything -- always. Very, verrrry strange.....

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (AP) — A pit bull puppy that was saved by a Mission Viejo rescue group after being stabbed seven times by its owner is now for sale on Craigslist for $300.

Erin Lup adopted the 14-month-old bluenose pit bull after her ex-boyfriend stabbed it Jan. 21. She posted an ad on the Web site Craigslist on Tuesday.

The ad says the puppy, Azure, is lovable but Lup finds it difficult to keep a large animal.

The dog recovered from surgery costing $5,000, which was paid for by the nonprofit Pet Rescue Center.

Dr. Matthew Wheaton, who runs the rescue group, was dismayed to hear Lup was trying to sell the dog. He says he called her and offered to help find Azure a stable home.

Lup couldn't be reached for comment.

Her ex-boyfriend, Justin Carrafield, is serving time for animal cruelty.

A January 22, 2009 file photo show Azure an 8-month-old puppy after being treated for seven stab wounds at a veternary hospital in Mission Viejo, Calif. The dogs owner has put the pit bull up for sale on Craigslit Tuesday July 29, 2009. (AP Photo/ Michael Goulding, The Orange County Register/file)

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

An art show that opens tonight benefits the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, otherwise known as BARCS.

The show, featuring the work of about 15 area artists, opens tonight at Zella's Pizzaria, 1145 Hollins Street in the SOWEBO neighborhood. SOWEBO Arts is sponsoring the show, which runs through October. 5. The event starts at 6 p.m. and runs till 8 p.m.

The commission from works sold will be split between BARCS and SOWEBO Arts. You can support animals and the arts in one fell swoop. Admission is free.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

NAME: Burton.

NICKNAMES: Stubby, Stubinator, Stubbernaut

OWNER: Joshua Heck & Kirsten Newman.

HOW THEY MET:
We adopted Burton from the Baltimore County Humane Society last summer, June 2008.

At 3 years old, he’d just been surrendered from his third home. They claimed it was because of the high cost of grooming, but we believe it was because he is a runner (we learned the hard way that he liked to take off when the door was opened).

A year later, Burton has developed quite a personality! He loves to wrestle and roughhouse with his brother Cody, and is making great progress with listening while off-leash.

AGE: 4.

HOME: Reisterstown.

BREED: Miniature Schnauzer.

BEST TRICK: 4-foot vertical leap for treats.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Stubby loves to ride in the car. When we stack suitcases in the living room to go on a trip, he races back and forth “singing” to us. He prefers to ride shotgun, with his elbow on the window frame, and his nose in the breeze.

FAVORITE FOOD: Green beans and chicken.

POUND PUP THAT LOVES A POUND PUPPY: The first 6 months Burton lived with us, he carried Josh’s childhood Pound Puppy everywhere.
He’s since claimed the queen sized bed as his own, and is quite the bed hog. If you’re in his space, he won’t hesitate to kick you. And if you don’t wake up early enough for his liking, he’ll pat your chest and eventually your face with his front paw.

IF BURTON HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: Me! Me! It’s all about ME!!!

CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPHS: Kirsten Newman

To see more pets that have been Collared, click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Collared
        

Earlier today I posted an email making the rounds from Charm City Cats. Cat advocates were afraid that barn kitties at Pimlico and the other race tracks were being trapped and euthanized. 

I was able to contact Maryland Jockey Club to ask what was up, if anything. Here is their verbatim response: 

I would like to thank you for your comments about the cats living at our facilities: Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course and the Bowie Training Center. The Maryland Jockey Club greatly appreciates any comments and feedback from the public and takes all input very seriously.

The Maryland Jockey Club has always respected the rights and proper treatment of animals and supported policies to protect them. Our current policy relating to horses transported for slaughter has been in affect since October 2008 and bars any owners or trainers from all facilities for either directly or indirectly participating in the transport of horses from our facilities to a slaughterhouse or auction house engaged in selling horses for slaughter.  We care deeply for the welfare of all animals. 

I must clarify some points that you have referenced that are clearly untruths. There has been no trapping or removal of any cats from Laurel, Pimlico and Bowie and there is no plan for anyone employed by the Maryland Jockey Club to either directly or indirectly euthanize any cats.

We requested that employees, horsemen and stable employees please refrain from placing food randomly around our property, which attracts a host of animals, fox, raccoons, skunks and yes cats. It is from this request that the recent e-mail may have been generated.

Please understand that any decision made by management at the Maryland Jockey Club will be done with the respect and concern of the animals involved.

Respectfully.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 4:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

Here's an interesting/disturbing email I just got from Charm City Cats. Coming on top of the recent feral cat dust-up at Northside Baptist Church.

Here's what they say :

Feral and semi-feral resident barn cats at the Pimlico, Laurel, and Bowie racetracks are being trapped and presumably euthanized. A TNR advocate met with a member of the management at Pimlico to try to convince them to consider TNR, or to allow us to try to address and solve any problems they are having, but management was not receptive. Trapping is already underway at Laurel and Bowie, and will likely start at Pimlico shortly.

We need polite, but emphatic, phone calls and emails to be addressed to the following people:

Scott Lishia: SLishia@marylandracing.com
Becky Williams: BWilliams@marylandracing.com 301-470-5468
Georgeann Hale: GHale@marylandracing.com 301-470-5493
Tom Chuckas: TChuckas@marylandracing.com

Please urge them to consider TNR rather than trap-and-euthanize. As we all know, removal of feral cats has been proven terribly ineffective, and especially in an urban environment, like where Pimlico is located. The track is surrounded by feral cat colonies, and new cats will move in as fast as the others can be removed and killed.

Sun file photo of a cat at Pimlico.

There are plenty of volunteers and cat experts ready and willing to assist with TNR at the tracks and try to address any concerns about cats and other wildlife, if the track management will allow it.

There will likely also be an organized protest in a couple of weeks at Pimlico during a live racing event.

PLEASE speak up for the kitties who can't speak for themselves! Thank you. :)

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

Britain's Prince William greets a dog trained for rescue work during a fell walk in Cumbria's Lake district, in England. He's accompanied by a group of young people helped by the charity Centrepoint and volunteers from the Mountain Rescue service.

Prince William is a patron of Centrepoint, a charity for young homeless people and of the Mountain Rescue in England and Wales. AP Photo/John Giles, Pool.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

Meow! We had quite the reaction to last week's Crazy Cat Lady post.

Methinks we touched a nerve. I mean, having two kitties myself -- I KNOW we did.

More than 20 people wrote in to talk about whether or not they thought the CCL mythology held any water. Some interesting theories. Like Sean, who thought you could be totally CCL even if you had no cats! He thinks it's something like a pre-existing condition.

Or there was Dustin who says, and I quote: "I believe a cat person is not defined by the company she keeps but is identified by the proportion of cat shirts one wears in a week."

So true.

Anyway. I promised there would be a prize in thise one. And the big winner is Diane Thomas who not only has 13 cats, but has, Angelic, a regular Unleashed reader, vouching for the spotless (and smell-less) state of her home. Diane's got 10 litter boxes that get cleaned daily. She wins a really, really cool cat book, "The Cat's Pajamas." The pictures are awesome. I kinda wanted to keep it for myself.

Plus, a few runner's up are getting one of the brand new Unleashed magnets.

Thanks to everyone who had fun with this one!

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats, Fun stuff
        

Peter Hermann reports today that the twins charged as juveniles in the case of Phoenix, the pit bull puppy doused with gasoline and then set on fire earlier this year, made their first court appearance yesterday.

He reports: The youths stood in front of Baltimore Circuit Judge Charles G. Bernstein to be arraigned on adult charges that they had weapons in their home on South Pulaski Street.

A private attorney, Caroline Griffin, who serves as chairwoman of Baltimore's newly formed Anti-Animal Abuse Task Force, sat in the back and waited patiently for three hours until the twins, Travers and Tremayne Johnson, were paraded in front of the bench.

Griffin and the spokesman were there because the youths have also been charged as juveniles with fatally setting a pit bull on fire in West Baltimore in May. It was a case that attracted national attention, a reward that far exceeded those handed out for tips in murder cases involving humans and made a hero of a city officer who rescued the dog named Phoenix and smothered the flames with her sweater.

But the defense attorney, the prosecutor and the judge did not bring those topics up at the hearing, reserved exclusively for the young defendants to enter pleas in the gun case and have a trial date set for Oct. 13. Court documents filed in the gun case (they said they were not guilty) name them as suspects in the dog burning, which is scheduled for a separate juvenile hearing this month.

It's only now, with them facing adult gun charges stemming from a raid police conducted at their house after the arrest in the dog case, that details are slowly emerging.

The court documents filed in the gun case say the twins were seen "running out an alley with the burning dog" and that the "incident was captured" on police surveillance video. Police arrested them and then raided the family house on Pulaski Street where, according to authorities, they seized a loaded handgun hidden inside a rubber boot, a shotgun and a rifle.

Their 75-year-old father, in a previous interview, said the guns were his, not his sons', and that the twins had nothing to do with burning Phoenix.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Who isn't looking to save money -- if possible -- on dog and cat food?

I know, we all want the best for our furry ones, but if you can have the best and spend a little less, who wouldn't do it? Consumer Reports recently offered some good advice on trimming the pet food budget.

The dollar-conscious magazine says:

Pricey doesn’t mean better. Avoid buying pet food because of the high price, pretty packaging, or fancy name.

Homemade food can cut costs, but be sure it meets your pet’s nutritional needs. Dogs and cats each require about 40 different nutrients in very specific proportions. If you’re making your own pet food, take a look at balanceit.com or petdiets.com for more on homemade food and your pet’s health. And if you have a little extra money to spend, consider finding an animal nutritionist through the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.

Wet or dry? Our experts say there’s no nutritional difference, but the costs vary. Wet foods contain about 75 percent water, so you’ll need to buy more to get the same calories as in dry food.

Don’t buy into claims. For pet food, there’s no official definition of organic, human-grade, premium, no fillers, or gourmet. So, no need to spend more for these claims, unless there’s a real health concern. Gluten-free foods are generally necessary only for the tiny percentage of pets that are intolerant of that protein. And there’s some evidence that antioxidants—such as vitamin E—and some omega-3 fatty acids might enhance pets’ immunity or help protect against certain diseases, but the experts were split on whether you need to look for them.

Cloie Harnois, a worker at the Polka Dog Bakery, in Boston's South End neighborhood, holds out a treat for Paco, a Jack Russell Chihuahua mix, in front of the stores dog treat display. The boutique dog-bakery sells organic doggy treats as well as dried grains, herbs, and vegetables for dog owners to blend in the raw meat of their choice. AP Photo/Steven Senne.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Pet accessories