An Atlanta man who rescued one stray dog from traffic now has his hands full with 10 pooches.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday that Gary DeNicola rescued the dog in late September with plans to take it to a shelter the next day. But it turns out the dog, he named Ruby for her reddish coat, was pregnant and gave birth to nine puppies that night. Now DeNicola is running an animal shelter of sorts himself and he's looking for good homes for little Ruby and her black and tan puppies.

The Atlanta Humane Society said many shelters are facing overcrowding and aren't accepting any more animals. DeNicola has been raising the 5-week-old litter with the help of neighbors.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Here's a novel idea: A shoe that your dog can chew for a good cause....

My Good Dog's Chewy Shoe dog toy, a red, white and blue rubber creation for dogs to gnaw on, has raised more than $38,000 since it was introduced earlier this year. That's all money that goes to  “Dog Tags: Service dogs for those who’ve served us,” a program to train and provide service dogs to injured U.S. veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. 

Two dollars from every Chewy Shoe purchase are donated to the Dog Tags program. Service dogs in the program are trained by inmates in New York City-area correctional institutions as part of the Puppies Behind Bars initiative.

“The proceeds from sales of the Chewy Shoe are helping us continue the important work of supporting our veterans,” Gloria Gilbert Stoga, founder and president of Puppies Behind Bars, said in a release. 

Continue reading "Chew toy benefits military veterans" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Pet accessories
        

This bulldog mom in Illinois has her paws full -- and then some. See Daisy Mae's 21 pups in this video. (The puppies come at the end after some other news...) Dog owner Shari Ballard tells Fox News, "We wanted to breed her and have a litter of puppies. But I didn't expect to have this many!" The puppies are six weeks old now and up for adoption.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Recently I wrote here about a website called FreeKibble that donates food to animal shelters every time someone visits the site and plays a game. It's the creation of a 13-year-old girl named Mimi and she tells me that as of this week, through the site she's donated more than 1.7 million meals to homeless dogs and cats.

Today, however, Nov. 5, FreeKibble will donate five times the amount of food each for every site visit. Halo Pets is sponsoring the event. There's no limit on the kibble, so if a bazillion people visit the site today, that's how much food will go to shelters aross the country.

So everyone should visit the site today AND tell all their friends to do it. It's a fun and easy way to help some animals.

Click here to get to FreeKibble and help!

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

On a crisp, dry autumn day (not that we've had too many of those dry ones around here lately), isn't having a dog the best? A great reason to take the long way around the park. And the dogs all seem to have little extra spring in their step when it's not so hot. (A guy at the park watched Teddy dancing around in the cool air and said he was a bon vivant. I think maybe he meant Teddy had a great joie d'vivre. Either way, good stuff.

Bailey, a resident at Graves Farm and Garden in Roswell, New Mexico, awaits the arrival of a tour group from Military Heights Elementary School. (AP Photo/Roswell Daily Record, Mark Wilson)

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

The 17-year-old twins accused of setting fire to a pit bull puppy known as Phoenix will be tried as adults, a judge decided Tuesday.

Judge David Ross ruled that Tremayne and Travers Johnson will face felony animal cruelty charges in Baltimore Circuit Court, allegations that could send the boys to jail for three years, The Sun's Brent Jones reports. Attorneys for the twins argued that they were not properly cared for in the juvenile system after they were placed on probation for a handgun violation in October 2008.

The lawyer for Tremayne Johnson added that his client suffers from depression and had not had any problems before he had brain surgery for a tumor four years ago. But a representative of juvenile services said the teen failed to cooperate with some of the department's programs.

Phoenix, a pit bull puppy, was doused with gasoline and set on fire in Southwest Baltimore last May. She was euthanized because of her injuries a few days later. The case sparked citywide and even national indignation about animal cruelty.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

A huge, huge new indoor dog park in Texas is apparently not apparently feeling the pinch of the economy.

Unleashed Indoor Dog Park, which opened in March, is going gangbusters, pulling in about $200,000 a month, its owners tell CNN.

The air-conditioned space is 50,000 square feet of play space -- all special dog turf -- also has a pet store, a grooming center, a snack bar for humans and a place for pet parents to watch their dogs play.

Continue reading "Mega indoor dog park thrives, even in recession" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

We haven't had fresh Bo in a few weeks. Perhaps he'd been lying low for a while following the No. 2 on Air Force One dustup....

It's nice to see the First Puppy thriving.....tennis ball in mouth.

Dale Haney, superintendent of the White House grounds, can often be seen with Bo. He's amazed by the public's fascination with White House pets. "Sometimes I think they're more interested in the pets than the president," he told the Associated Press.

Bo Obama plays outside the White House on Oct. 26. In the smaller photo, Bo holds his own leash as he walks on the South Lawn. (AP Photos/Alex Brandon)

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, First Dog Bo Obama
        

The other day I was walking Teddy Bean and revealed The Bean's latest hobby to someone at the park.

"I can't believe I'm actually going to say this cause it's so disgusting," I began, "But I have cats and...."

Before I could finish the sentence, she did: "And he eats the cat poo?"

Sigh. Yes. I think Teddy Bean has developed a taste for the litter box.

While watching TV this weekend, I heard a rustling in the box. Leo was to my right, Pumpkin dozing to the left. I lifted the dome and there was The Bean, kicking gravel with abandon.

Continue reading "Forbidden love: Teddy Bean and the litter box" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

More than 40,000 family pets die every year in house fires, according to Protection One, Inc., a national home security company with offices in Baltimore.

The company has launched a public service project focused on saving the lives of pets. They are providing FREE pet safety decals that alert firefighters that a pets are living in a home. People stick the decals onto a front door or window where they can be easily noticed in case of an emergency.

Pet owners can get a decal online here.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health
        

Four-legged screen stars are vying for the Fido Film Awards, billed as the canine equivalent of the Oscars.

Nominees announced Friday include the animated dog stars of "Bolt" and "Up," the titular mutt in "Marley and Me" and — in a rare non-canine choice — the dapper, George Clooney-voiced "Fantastic Mr. Fox," the Associated Press reported.

They are competing for prizes in categories including historical hound, rom-com rover and comedy canine.

The Fidos call themselves the world's first international awards for canine screen stars. Winners will be announced Nov. 22.

Continue reading "Competing for a 'doggie Oscar'" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

There's a show debuting tonight on Animal Planet that seems potentially interesting in a bit of a "Rescue Ink" kind of way.

"Pit Bulls and Parolees" is on at 10 p.m. This is how the channel describes it:

"...focusing on a fiery, fearless 49-year-old pit bull rescuer and trainer -- Tia Maria Torres -- who owns the largest pit bull rescue center in the country. Tia, along with her colorful family and a half dozen ex-convicts, rescue, train and rehabilitate pit bulls with the ultimate goal of placing them in loving, safe new homes....

"Combining her passion for animals and her bad-girl attitude, Tia gives the baddest boys of town -- ex-convicts -- the opportunity to redeem themselves and express their goodness through animal love and caring." 

Continue reading "'Pit Bulls and Parolees' premieres tonight" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (37)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

For Kelly Osbourne, daughter of Ozzy and now of "Dancing with the Stars" fame, life is pretty good these days. She's on a hit show, she just turned 25 and she just got one of the cutest little puppies around.

Her parents, well known for their love of dogs, gave Kelly this Pomeranian puppy for her big day. His name is Sid and he could be none more cute. The b-day girl posted this picture on Twitter. He looks like an incredibly fuzzy monkey bear.

'If I want to put it on the floor, I have to put it in the playpen because the dog is that small,' she told the Daily Mail. 'It’s the size of a one dollar bill! I’m so excited.'

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

It's hard to say enough about the Baltimore fabulousness that is this costume. Brilliant really. Somehow Tito the Chihuahua didn't win Best Hon costume in BARCStoberfest last weekend in this. I don't know why. A Big Boyz Bail Bonds giveaway pen.... Sigh.... I think the genius might have been too much, ahead of its time.....

Big huge round of Unleashed applause to Healy and Alexey for putting it together.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

Continue reading "'Everyone loved Baxter': RIP therapy dog" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 6:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Never was a big fan of "America's Funniest Home Videos." Though I am a big fan of bulldogs with cheese doodles balanced on their noses. The show always seemed too corny, too silly...too something. But apparently they've got a lot of animal videos, particularly dogs, like the cheese curl guy in the picture. Maybe I'll have to give it a small look from time to time.

Dogs are a clear winner as the funniest animal — especially wiener dogs, Chihuahuas and pugs — judging by payouts from the series, which begins its 20th year on ABC next month, says The Associated Press.

For example, there was the bug-eyed Chihuahua getting a bath in a sink. "It was the homeliest dog, big bulging eyes that looked in opposite directions, his tongue was hanging out, and he was soaking wet, the sweetest thing," said co-executive producer and writer Todd Thicke.

In the show's first 19 years, 260 animal videos have won $2.2 million for their videographers. More than half those winners (136) have been dogs for $1.4 million in prize money. There have been 34 cat champs making $210,000 and 22 birds sharing $115,000. Next comes the nutty part: Nine squirrels have shared $54,000.

Continue reading "Dogs tops on 'America's Funniest Home Videos'" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Pet videos
        

Yet another reason to get a dog. Or, at least maybe some acting classes....

The Associated Press reports that an Athens, Ga., woman scared off a would-be burglar by acting like a dog. According to police, the woman got on the floor and began scratching at the door and acting like a large dog when the suspicious man tried turning the woman's door knob late Saturday night.

The police report did not say what specific dog-like behaviors, such as barking, the woman mimicked.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

While appearing on Jay Leno's new show, First Lady Michelle Obama, looking really pretty in a "Mad Men"-style dress, talked a little about First Dog Bo. Jay asked her 10 questions including one, of course, about the pup: How did you celebrate the dog's birthday? ...A cake made of "veal stuff"? That bro Cappy stole most of? Awesomeness.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, First Dog Bo Obama, Fun stuff
        

Fidos for Freedom, a non-profit that trains and provides service dogs and hearing dogs to those who can't do everything for themselves, is having a fund-raising walk on Saturday.

The group, which also has a therapy dog program and a D.E.A.R.  (Dogs Educating and Assisting Readers) program, is having its annual Fall Stroll 'n Roll on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Centennial Lake in Ellicott City. Since it's Halloween, costumed dogs are welcome.

Fidos is asking for a minimum donation of $20/person and encourage groups to form teams. There will be raffles, vendors and a flyball demonstration.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff
        

We've got a lot of diversity and flexibility here at Unleashed's Cute Costume Countdown to Halloween. One day we've got sushi, another day we've got witches and today....we've got literature.

Lin, who sent this all the way from California, shows off her pup, Miss Pup, dressed as Lady Catherine de Bourgh from Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice."

Something tells me Lin never runs into another Lady Catherine de Bourgh at the dog park Halloween parade...

She writes, "When Miss Pup was an ingenue, she was the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio."

Continue reading "Cute Costume Coundown: Lady Catherine de Bourgh!" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

On CBS, there's a nice interview with the author of the new book, "To the Rescue: Found Dogs with a Mission." It's about people who rescue animals, and then train them to do good in the community, to sort of give back. The author, Elise Lufkin, brings Linus to the live interview, a real sweetie with three legs who volunteers at a hospital.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Pet videos
        

For the first time, dogs will be part of the infamous Fells Point Halloween celebration.

The folks at Koopers Tavern, a place that loves dogs so much, it's even named after a yellow lab, are inviting people to dress up their pups and bring them over for the Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest.

The contest runs from 11 to noon on Saturday, right outside the tavern on Thames Street. There is a $5 entrance fee that benefits Mid Atlantic Bully Buddies. Prizes have been donated by Howl in Hampden. 

Photo of this pig-tailed terrier courtesy of Don Hankin's photostream on Flickr.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

People really love to dress up Pugs. Here is Gordon, a little cutie whose owners, Patrick and Alison, keeps him looking stylish...or something.... for any number of holidays. Gordon couldn't be more Maryland than this, dressed as a crabcake. He's even licking his chops! (It looks to me, however, that there's a lot of filler in there.)

Patrick tells us this year little G, who's 5, will be dressed as an elf!

Only a couple days left to make your dog's Halloween...Participate in Unleashed's Costume Countdown by sending a JPEG of your dressed-up fur thing to jill.rosen@baltsun.com. 

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

I know that Garden Variety guru Susan reported that pumpkins are in short supply this year. However, I'm seeing them everywhere and thought this was a really cute idea for anyone planning a Halloween party this weekend.

Better Homes & Gardens online has a big selection of dog breed pumpkin carving stencils. You can just download them. There's everything from Poodle to Golden Retriever to Bulldog and Jack Russell. 

There's even some tips on how to design your own.

Isn't Halloween the best?

Photos courtesy of BH&G.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

This is Lexie, who belongs to Bekye Eckert and participated in the Westminster Petsmart's Halloween parade and contest last week. She was dressed as herself, a breast cancer survivor. 

The 10-year-old Maltese rescue had two surgeries for metastatic mammary cancer; in February her prognosis was six months. 

"Of course we're thrilled she's still with us and doing well, and we are grateful for the opportunity to spread the word about cancer in pets because it's surprising how many folks who don't know that pets suffer from many of the same diseases humans do ... diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and unfortunately, cancer," Eckert says.
 

Lexie was diagnosed with malignant metastatic adenocarcinoma in February after her first surgery and had a second surgery in June. 

A little more on this sweet pup here.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

For the past couple of weeks, bidding has seemed strong at the online auction, Shop-A-Paw-Looza that benefits the Maryland SPCA....but it closes TUESDAY at 9 p.m.

So if you want to get your hands on some pretty cool stuff while supporting the SPCA (which brought Teddy Bean to Baltimore), you need to get your bids in.

There's everything from two tickets to the Bruce Springsteen show at First Mariner (though I'll be honest, you need big bucks to win that one) to gift certificates to local restaurants, salons and dog washes. There's packages with wine and beer, doggie day care passes, tickets to the theater -- all kinds of stuff.

Check it out here.  The poster, at left, done by the artist who did the famous Obama campaign image, is just one of the items up for bid.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 3:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

Bicoastalchickie has shared with us this picture of Baby, her 5-year-old Maltese in this bewitching little outfit. She says she found the witch hat at PetSmart a few years ago, and got the cape at Target last year.

This year Baby will be less-formally celebrating Halloween, wearing a little pumpkin-y Halloween tee Bicoastalchickie's mom bought for her at Old Navy.

Only a week left! Participate in Unleashed's Costume Countdown by sending a JPEG of your dressed-up fur to jill.rosen@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

Here's Leo, a rough, tough bulldog dressed as a roc kstar for the Fifth Annual Times Square Dog Day Masquerade on October 18. Leo definitely has the rocker snarl....TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images.

Share a picture of your own little rock star! Participate in Unleashed's Costume Countdown by sending a JPEG of your dressed-up fur to jill.rosen@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

Cookie the Chow Chow dressed as the "Times Square Alliance Clean Up Crew " during the Fifth Annual Times Square Dog Day Masquerade October 18. The canine costume contest is presented by the Times Square Alliance. This is pretty good. Could imitate this in Baltimore and say it's part of the Downtown Partnership cleanup crew. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images.

Did you catch the Miracle on the Hudson costume earlier this week. Check it out. It's most excellent.

Participate in Unleashed's Costume Countdown by sending a JPEG of your best (or worst) effort at costuming your pet to jill.rosen@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

Here is Beaglemom's little Scout dressed as a she-devil. Scout just turned three last weekend. Happy Birthday puppy!

Participate in Unleashed's Costume Countdown by sending a JPEG of your best (or worst) effort at costuming your pet to jill.rosen@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

The Bean would like everyone to remember that BARCStoberfest, originally scheduled for last Saturday, has been postponed to this Sunday. It will still be from 11 to 4 p.m. at Patterson Park, but at the Pagoda area.

The 5th annual fundraiser for BARCS is a festival for animal lovers of all ages and is, they say, the canine social event of the year. The event raises awareness and much needed funds for the 12,000 animals BARCS takes in each year. There will be a silent auction, pet costume contests, local artists & vendors, adoptable pets, animal health & welfare experts and pet demos.

The Strut Your Mutt Walk, which The Bean has been raising money for, will begin at noon and will take participants on a walk around beautiful Patterson Park. Registration the day of the event begins at 11am. Pre-registration with a donation of $40 is required to guarantee a t-shirt and can be done online.  Registration will also be accepted on the day of the event, but t-shirts are limited at the event so people are strongly encouraged to pre-register. The walker who raises the most money for the shelter’s animals will win the Grand Prize - a Dell laptop valued at $500!

Continue reading "Teddy Bean reminds all about BARCStoberfest" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

Phoebe Josephine Pickles, a Baltimore Pomeranian, is dressed at Wonderwoman. The 7-year-old who belongs to Pat Machate, is a therapy dog with more than 300 outfits.   

Participate in Unleashed's Costume Countdown by sending a JPEG of your best (or worst) effort at costuming your pet to jill.rosen@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

Most pet owners would leap into action for an injured pet, even if it meant risking dog breath by going mouth-to-snout.

Fifty-eight percent of pet owners — 63 percent of dog owners and 53 percent of cat owners — would be at least somewhat likely to perform CPR on their pet in the event of a medical emergency, according to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll.

Tammy Parks, 52, of Amherst, Mass., has taken a pet first aid class and wouldn't hesitate to help her 15-year-old mixed breed terriers, Lucy and Julia, or her white fronted Amazon parrot Koko.

"It's not rocket science. The mechanics are the same as humans," said Parks, who was an American Red Cross first aid trainer. "Size is the biggest difference."

In general, though, the poll found few pet owners are prepared to handle pet emergencies. Just 20 percent of pet owners have a pet first aid kit in their home, and 54 percent do not have a fire evacuation plan for their pets.

Read more here.

Continue reading "What would you do for a hurt pet?" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health
        

This has got to be one of the more clever Halloween pet costumes. It's at least as good as the sushi from last week. LOVE it! Remember the airplane that Sully landed on the Hudson?

Beatrice the Minnie Golden Doodle dressed as a "Miracle on the Hudson" with Herb Westphalen and Kate Schulte dressed as flight crew members during the Fifth Annual Times Square Dog Day Masquerade October 18. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images.

Participate in Unleashed's Costume Countdown by sending a JPEG of your best (or worst) effort at costuming your pet to jill.rosen@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

Unleashed is part of a coalition of pet sites working together today to inform people about pet safety. It's the Pet 'Net Safety Event, and for our part, we're taking a look at how to keep your dog safe at a dog park. We've got advice from Cheryl S. Smith, author of Visiting the Dog Park. 

Smith says the keys to safety in dog parks are awareness, basic training, and compromise.

"You need to be aware of your own dog's personality -- some dogs simply aren't good candidates for dog parks," says, adding that dog-aggressive dogs shoud not visit dog parks, but neither should very shy, uncertain dogs or dogs who like other dogs but play very rough.

Basic training is needed to be able to extract your dog from any dicey situations, she says. She recommends people not leash up their dog in the park, saying, "Being on leash can change a dog's behavior (some dogs become dog-aggressive if they are on leash and other dogs are free) and it can bring the trouble directly to you if something bad happens."

Continue reading "How to have fun, stay safe at the dog park" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health
        

So some locals have joined the Unleashed Costume Countdown 2009. Here we've got Johnny Cash, otherwise known as Frothy Brown Porter. That's his name 'cause, as his mom Angela Treadwell-Palmer says: "He looks like the foam of a porter."

Frothy is a rescued German Shorthaired Pointer. He can run 29 laps around Treadwell-Palmer's 1/2 acre lot without stopping. He can also run around our 4-foot diameter tree -- 12 times one way and then 12 times the opposite way -- in 1 minute without stopping. He sleeps head first - under the covers. 

Every year his doggie daycare (Good Doggie Daycare on Ash St.)  has a costume party and this year he went dressed as Johnny Cash because Ms. Barbara, the morning manager greets him each time we drop him off with "Hey Porter" by Johnny Cash.  She calls him her Johnny Cash Porter. 

Continue reading "Cute Costume Countdown: Johnny Cash!" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff
        

This Saturday from 10 a.m to 7 p.m, the Baltimore Tattoo Museum (1534 Eastern Avenue) will sponsor a Tattoo-a-thon to accommodate all those who pledged to go under the needle to bring Rescue Ink to town.

Proceeds from the Tattoo-a-thon will benefit both Baltimore Humane Society and Rescue Ink, helping both groups to continue their important work in animal welfare. Tattoos will be given on a first come, first served basis. There will be two designs to choose from (shown here -- dogs to the left, cat to the right) and the prices will be $100 each. Rescue Ink will not be present at this event. The size of the tattoos will each be about the size of a silver dollar.

Continue reading "Rescue Ink/Tattoofest: Here's what's up" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (19)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff
        

The Unleashed Cute Costume Countdown to Halloween resumes this week with another great one: a takeoff on New York City's Naked Cowboy. Not bad!

Georgie the Pekingese dressed as a "The Naked Cowboy" during the Fifth Annual Times Square Dog Day Masquerade October 18. The canine costume contest is presented by the Times Square Alliance . TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images.

Did everyone catch the geishas the other day?

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

B-More Dog is having a fundraiser happy hour and silent auction tonight at Bad Decisions in Fells Point.

It's a nice opportunity to get out and help the group that does so much to help pit bulls. Or, heck, just celebrate the fact that it's finally stopped raining. It starts at 6 p.m.

On Oct. 25 the group will also be marking "Pit Bull Awareness Day" at the Baltimore Humane Society -- at the same event alongside Rescue Ink. There will be a control class from noon to 1 p.m., pit bull-centric demonstrations, weight pull demos, a narcotics-dog demonstration from Mutt Magic, an agility dog demo, and more. All The event will take place from noon to 4.

Continue reading "B-More Dog Happy Hour/Auction tonight" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff
        

This photo taken Oct. 4 shows pugs Mochi, left, and Olive posing for a photo dressed as Geisha girls at their home in Huntington Beach Calif. The stepsisters have been geisha girls, surfer girls and sushi over the years. Lower, a closeup of Mochi. They belong to costume designer Lisa Woodruff. (AP Photos/Richard Vogel)

Participate in Unleashed's Costume Countdown by sending a JPEG of your best (or worst) effort at costuming your pet to jill.rosen@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Pet accessories
        

The best-dressed pugs are at it again. This time hanging 10 -- at least.

We're counting down to Halloween here at Unleashed with a costumed pet photo every day. Send in yours, in JPEG form, to jill.rosen@baltsun.com. We'll post 'em. And laugh at 'em.

This photo taken Oct. 4 shows pugs Mochi, left, and Olive both 4 years old, pose for a photo dresses as surfers on a surf board and in their styrofoams made wave at their home in Huntington Beach Calif. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Did you miss the sushi costume yesterday? It's awesome. Check it out.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Pet accessories
        

There's been some confusion brewing about the Rescue Ink tattoo -- what it will look like, what it will cost, how the tattooing will work. Tracy Santos of the Baltimore Humane Society wrote me just now and wanted to clear up at least a few things. More to come later, but in the meantime, she says:

The design for the paw print has not been released yet, I plan on doing that as soon as I have all the details for that day in place. There will be two designs to choose from. The price discussed was $100, but still has not been confirmed. Baltimore Tattoo Museum has stated that if they can accomodate people's requests they will, but it is likely that they won't be able to, due to the sheer number expected to show up that day.

I feel like due to the misinformed person's comments many people are backing out and deciding to just donate directly to Rescue Ink. While it's each person's choice, we are just trying to think of the best way to accomodate everyone in a timely, orderly fasion. I hope to have more info asap, however I still need to touch base with a few people to get the details in place.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m on October 24th at Baltimore Tattoo Museum, and it will be on a first come, first served basis.
 
Thanks,
 
Tracy

Posted by Jill Rosen at 2:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

Is this dog really saying 'I love you?' Eh, who knows, cute either way....

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Pet videos
        

Saturday is the day to celebrate your pet and hope Baltimore's animal shelter raise some much-needed money.

BARCStoberfest, the shelter's annual shindig, will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Patterson Park -- at the southeast corner, Linwood and Eastern Avenue.

There will be plenty of dogs, many, like Teddy Bean, dressed up, because there's a costume contest. You can see fundraising pups like The Bean walk the walk in Strut Your Mutt. Then there's a vendors, a silent auction, a chance to question an animal behavior expert, crafts, childrens' activities and micro-chipping.

BARCS needs support.

"We have seen a 10 percent increase in the number of animals surrendered to our shelter; many that were sick, injured, or even abused," Jennifer Mead-Brause, Executive Director of BARCS, said in a statement. "We are in need of support from the community more now than ever so we hope to see you at BARCStober Fest."

Money raised at the fest will help BARCS buy food, spay and neuter animals, and provide medical care and vaccinations.

There's a possibility of a rain date -- which would be Sunday, but with the forcast for both days less-than-perfect, BARCS officials said Thursday they expected to hold the event Saturday unless there was thunder and lightening. 

For more information, visit the shelter's website or call (410) 396-4695.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff
        

For day two of Unleashed's Costume Countdown to Halloween -- could this be any cuter? Any more clever? It's a dog dressed as sushi! The owner is soy sauce. I love, love, love it.

This photo taken Oct. 4 shows Lisa Woodruff, right, dressed as a bottle of soy sauce standing with her 4 year old pug Olive posing as a piece of sushi at her home in Huntington Beach Calif.  (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

Send in your costumed furry one and I'll post as we countdown with a costumed pet every day till Halloween. Send JPEGS to jill.rosen@baltsun.com

Check out Olive yesterday and her step-sis dressed as flowers.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Pet accessories
        

Teddy Bean, good dog that he is, has been working behind the scenes these last few weeks, trying to round up donations in support of dogs and cats, who, like he did just a few months ago, need to be rescued. He's doing Strut Your Mutt on Saturday at BARCStoberfest, and so far he's earned more than $300 for the shelter, making the little Bean one of the top fundraisers. But he can still do even better, if anyone wants to help.....

Posted by Jill Rosen at 2:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

Here's something you don't see everyday. A carrot cake recipe for dogs. The folks over at Guideposts.com wanted people to know about it. So read more about the story behind the cake here.

And let us know if you make if for the pup. Or, if you have other favorite pet recipes.

Doggie Carrot Cake

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon soy flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼-½ cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)

1 egg

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup honey

1 cup baby carrots, grated or ground

Continue reading "Want to make your dog carrot cake?" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Pet accessories
        

With Halloween right around the corner and BARCStoberfest on Saturday, I thought it would be fun to have a Cosume Countdown, featuring an animal in a costume every day up till Halloween -- and even right on afterward if you guys keep the costume pictures coming. SEND IN PICTURES! We'll show off the best, the silliest, the cutest, the craziest --- anything really. Just send it with an explanation of who you are and who's the lucky fur thing in costume. (Send JPEGS to jill.rosen@baltsun.com)

I'll start with great pictures that I've collected from the wire -- including a number featuring these adorable pugs who are lucky enough to have a costume designer mom.

This photo taken Oct. 4 shows pugs Mochi, left, and Olive posing for a photo dressed in their flower costumes at their home in Huntington Beach, Calif. The stepsisters have been geisha girls, surfer girls and sushi over the years. They may not understand the tradition, but "pugs understand positive energy," explained dog owner, partner and costume designer Lisa Woodruff.

AP Photo/Richard Vogel.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Pet accessories
        

Rescue Ink is coming to Baltimore! I repeat: RESCUE INK IS COMING TO BALTIMORE!

Thanks to your amazing tattoo pledges that started here on Unleashed, to the amazing offer by Baltimore Humane Society to donate not only their property but transportation and lodging for the tattooed ones to get down here to Baltimore Tattoo Museum for agreeing to allow their artists to give their time...it's HAPPENING.

More details to come. But the quick down and dirty is this:

The tattoo fest will be Oct. 24 at the Tattoo Museum from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The tattoo price will be split with half going to Rescue Ink, and half going to the Humane Society.

Rescue Ink will be at the Humane Society Oct. 25.

So...everyone ready for paw print tattoos???? There were WELL over 100 of you last time we counted!!!!!

Posted by Jill Rosen at 2:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (47)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

Brrr. It's cold today. Walking Teddy Bean this morning I wore mittens. But he was nude, harness aside.

Does The Bean need a sweater? Maybe a little coat?

Yes, he has built-in fleece, sort of, but is that enough? Since I bought the Halloween costume a few weeks ago, I feel like I've opened the door to potentially slide down the slippery slope of dog wardrobe-ism. I have to say, considering I was utterly against the dog clothes concept until recently, I've since run into many quite reasonable people who say they put their dogs in things to keep them warm.

And I'm not just talking small dogs! And I'm not just talking women! I ran into a man at the park a day ago with a quite stately Weimaraner and he said with its flat coat, the dog likes to slip on a sweatshirt when the temperature dips. He said the dog gets all excited when he sees the sweatshirt because that means walk time.

So what do you think? Who's down with the sweater or coat concept? Who not so much?

I think there will be some prizes in this one, depending on how responses go.....

Continue reading "Does the dog need a sweater?" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Pet accessories
        

Here's something you might not have thought of: A frisky dog, it seems, will eat fake boobs if you leave them within reach.

The LA Times quotes veterinarian Eric Barchas describing a couple who brought their five-year-old terrier into his animal hospital.

The woman carried with her a chewed-up box containing one stick-on, synthetic breast, size B, and one empty tray where the other had been.

In his account, Barchas wrote on Dogster:

    I evaluated the piece of silicone, coated in polyurethane, that the dog had not consumed. Although it was non-toxic, there was little doubt that the other half of the pair ultimately would lodge in the intestines. The dog only weighed 15 pounds. Size B was too much for this guy to handle.

The pup made it. Read the full tale here. 

Photo credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

A blind Chihuahua puppy abandoned at a Boston supermarket is preparing for brain surgery to save its life.

Angell Animal Medical Center officials said Tuesday that the 8-month-old dog, named Jonah, is suffering from a severe case of hydrocephalus, or "water on the brain." Without surgery scheduled this week to drain the excess fluid, Angell staff neurologist Andrew Farabaugh said the puppy will die.

Farabaugh said successful surgery means Jonah will be able to enjoy a good quality of life, but likely will remain blind.

Continue reading "Blind puppy needs life-saving surgery" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Months after facing criticism for signing convicted dogfighter Michael Vick, the Philadelphia Eagles are making good on a pledge to support animal welfare groups, the Associated Press reports.

The team on Monday unveiled a program called TAWK, which stands for Treating Animals With Kindness. The initiative aims to reduce animal abuse, encourage spaying and neutering and end dogfighting through public education and awareness.

The Eagles awarded grants of $50,000 each to Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society, the Humane Society of Berks County and the Humane Society of the United States.

Vick served 18 months in prison for his involvement in a dogfighting ring.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

The buzz of the U.K. dog world is that someone just might have created a new breed of guard dog.

Daren Debanham tells the East Anglian Daily Times that he's blended a Belgian Malinois and a Siberian Husky to debut the Huskinois. The one pictured above was just born this weekend.

The breeder thinks the dog could grow up to be perfect as an assistant for the police or military.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation to crack down on puppy mills by limiting them to 50 adult dogs, becoming the only governor in the six states where puppy mill legislation passed this year to override it with a veto.

In his veto message, Schwarzenegger said he feared the bill would criminalize the lawful activities of pet shops, kennels and groups that raise assistance dogs, the Associated Press reports.

"This measure would make it a crime for any person or entity to own or control more than 50 unsterilized adult dogs or cats for breeding or raising for sale as pets," Schwarzenegger wrote in his veto message. "I support measures designed to prevent animal cruelty and that punish persons engaged in the abuse of animals. However, this measure simply goes too far in an attempt to address the serious problem of puppy mills."

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

It's been a while since I've posted an update about Teddy Bean -- most of you know that's the foster dog that I took care of for most of the summer, but was too sweet for me to do anything but adopt.

I've had Teddy for three months now, total, and it's honestly remarkable how much progress he's made. He's turned from a shaking and scared pup, quaking in the corner of my house, shying away from physical contact, into a bouncing ball of energy, who's regularly called out at the park for being "such a happy dog." A happy dog! A noteably happy dog! How awesome is that!?!

He's come with me to a number of area dog events -- most recently Dogfest this weekend, where I took the photo above. I don't think he's ever been so excited -- five hours straight of meeting new dogs, new dogs, more dooooogs!!!! One of the people working the Camp Bow-Bow booth had been watching him happily bound from one hound to the next -- for hours on end -- and predicted The Bean would sleep well Saturday night. He did.

Continue reading "Wondering about The Bean?" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

Boomer, the huge Newfoundland we showed you last week may have some competition.

Arizona Realtor Dave Nasser is trying to get HIS giant dog into the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest dog. George is a 42-inch-tall, 245-pound Great Dane. Great indeed!

George wolfs down 100 pounds of food every three weeks and his droppings can weigh 4 pounds or more. The Nassers keep a trash can in their backyard reserved for George's considerable waste. Sheesh.

Dave Nasser compares his hand with the paw of his pet Great Dane, George in Tucson, Ariz., on Thursday. Nasser and friends with background in public relations are hoping to get George, who stands at 42 inches tall and weighs 245 pounds, into the Guinness Book of World Records. Below, Nasser sits with George. AP Photos/Arizona Daily Star, Greg Bryan.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

The pup we put an alert out about a few days ago is still missing. Keep on the lookout for her around Fells Point/Patterson Park/Canton.....

Her owner Michelle writes:

Sushi is still missing as of midnight on 10/9-10/10...PLEASE keep your eyes peeled and keep the calls coming! She was last spotted at the corner of Thames and S. Wolfe across the street from the Thames St. Park at about 7:30 am on 10/9.

We have posted signs and put food down for her. She is a black pit mix with a white chest. She is about knee high and 50 lbs. She also has a chipped tongue. She is SUPER friendly and has been answering to
her name, but no one has been able to grab her yet. Please let us know if you see her or know anyone who has!

THANK YOU to everyone who has been calling and keeping a lookout! We appreciate it! Help us bring her
HOME!!!!

Posted by Jill Rosen at 4:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Either American Idol judge Simon Cowell is much sweeter than he lets on on TV, or he's trying to make up for the nasty situation involving an Idol wannabe over the summer, but the judge has written a really big check for the animals.

The Los Angeles Times reports Cowell donated $30,000 to Linda Blair's WorldHeart Foundation. Cowell apparently learned from a mutual friend that Blair's rescue was having financial problems.

"I think what Linda is doing is incredible," Cowell was quoted as saying in ContactMusic. "Seeing pictures of the dogs makes you [realize] what a fantastic job she's doing. When we spoke, I was really impressed by her passion and commitment, and offered to help her out financially."

Cowell also did an ad for PETA warning of the dangers of leaving pets in hot cars after an Idol auditioner left his dog in the car in 90 degree heat while his girlfriend tried out for the show.

Continue reading "Simon Cowell a softie for animals" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats, Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

If you're not running in the Baltimore Marathon on Saturday, and you're an animal lover, you really have just one place to be: Dogfest.

It just sounds like such a cool event -- and a big one that raises money for the Baltimore Humane Society.

First off, despite it's name, it's not just about dogs. Sure, there will be TONS of stuff for dogs, but there will also be cats to see and even horses. For the dogs, there will be contests (like for the Best Kisser! and the Best Costume judged by First Lady Katie O'Malley --who I hear is bringing one of the O'Malley family dogs, Rex.), swimming pools and games. For the pet lovers, there will be plenty of vendors, exhibits and demonstrations.

The gates at Shawan Downs in Hunt Valley open at 10 a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. Dogs are welcome, but not on retractable leashes.

Teddy Bean will be there!

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

Thanks to continuous support from friends of The Bean, the little guy has managed to rally $275 to support BARCS. He's one of the dogs participating in Strut Your Mutt, the fundraising angle of BARCStoberfest, which happens Oct. 17 in Patterson Park.

Though he's just a rescued pooch himself, he realizes how good life is on the other side, and hopes his little furry effort can help other Baltimore dogs and cats get help, too. Thanks to everyone who's helped BARCS through Bean! And there's still time to sponsor him, or your own favorite doggie.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

I said I wasn't going to do it, that I wasn't the type of pet parent that would put their dog in a costume.

And yet, we're approaching Halloween and Teddy Bean has, I'll admit it, a selection of things to wear.

Hee.

If he'll permit himself to be outfitted, he's going to look ADORABLE. But if he doesn't want to be costumed, I'm not going to force him.

I just decided it's the spirit of the season -- where's the harm in a little festive costume? Especially, if, hint, hint with the picture to the right, its would be ridiculously perfect for him? Heh.

Does anyone have strong feelings about pets in costume? I'm pretty sure my deskmate to the right, keeper of the B'More Green blog, would dress her Dizzy up over her dead body.

If you are pro-costume, want to share some of your all-time greatest Halloween hits? Or perhaps what your furry one will be dressing as this year, if, of course, the little dear will keep it on?

(You can also upload a photo to our pets in costume reader photo gallery.)

Continue reading "Someone furry has a Halloween costume...or two..." »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

Boomer may be a buster: Measuring 3 feet tall at the shoulders and 7 feet long from nose to destructive wagging tail, his owner thinks she may have the world's tallest living dog.

Caryn Weber says her 3-year-old Landseer Newfoundland keeps all four paws on the floor when he drinks from the kitchen faucet in her family's farm house in eastern North Dakota, the Associated Press reports.

Boomer can stare into a car window eye to eye with a driver. A 20-pound bag of dry dog food lasts a couple of weeks.

Weber says the fluffy black and white dog "comes into the house and his tail is so high everything gets knocked around."

Continue reading "Boomer might be World's Tallest Dog" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

Has anyone seen Sushi? This dog went missing, last seen running toward Patterson Park. Her mom, Michelle, wrote me tonight, hoping someone might have seen her.

She says:

As a faithful follower of your blog, I am hoping that you can help me spread the word.  Our dog got out of our house this afternoon at around 4:30.  We live in Upper Fells Point about 2 blocks west of Patterson Park (Gough St.) and she was seen running toward the Park.  She is a black pit bull with a white chest.  Her name is Sushi.  She is about 50 lbs and SUPER friendly!  Her name at the shelter was Wagalot before we adopted her because she never stops wagging her tail!!!  We are just going crazy with worry and I was hoping maybe you'd post her info and picture on your blog to see if anyone has seen her.  She was wearing her collar when she was last seen and it has all our info on it, as well as the number for 24 hour pet watch for her micro chip.  We are just hoping some kind soul finds her and calls!  If anyone knows anything, they can contact me at (443) 927-6091 or my boyfriend Ray at (443) 939-9229.  Anything you can do to help would be greatly appreciated!  Help us bring her home please!!!

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Lost and Found
        

First Michael Vick gets out of prison. Then he's signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Now? He's getting his own television show.

According to this report in the LA Times, Vick, who was convicted for his role in a dogfighting ring, Vick is working with BET on an eight-part docu-series to run early next year. It's tentatively called "The Michael Vick Project."

"I just want people to really get to know me as an individual," Vick told the paper last week in an interview from his home in Philadelphia. "What I want to do is change the perception of me. I am a human being. I've made some mistakes in the past, and I wish it had never happened. But it's not about how you fall, but about how you pick yourself up."

It's unclear how much Vick is getting paid for the show.

Continue reading "Michael Vick to star in his own TV show" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

A sliver of green downtown, sandwiched between busy city streets, is being turned into a dog park.

Which would make the city's THIRD dog park -- with the Locust Point dog park opening just a few weeks ago. It will be teeny -- but a spot just for dogs nonetheless.

The Downtown Partnership and the city are working together to turn the tenth of a grassy acre, city property, into a fenced-in park for people to let their dogs off-leash.

"We saw the need," said Bob Dengler, the Downtown Partnership's vice president of capital projects. "Even before this area was fenced in, people were already walking their dogs there."

The grassy strip is between Fayette Street, Park Avenue and Baltimore and Liberty streets.

Read more here.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Animal advocates are banning together, hoping to whisper a little message into President Obama's ear: Bo Needs a Friend.

That's actually now an official campaign to get the First Puppy a playmate, with its very own website.

Organizers, which include representatives from Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Los Angeles, Best Friends and the Companion Animal Protection Society, are trying to organize a letter writing and email campaign so that the First Family will adopt a shelter dog to keep Bo company. Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog, came from a breeder, a gift from Sen. Edward Kennedy.

There's an unmistakeable undercurrent of anger in the group's mission -- they're upset that the Obama family missed an opportunity to send a message about the pet overpopulation in the country and the importance of adopting.

For whatever reason, I'm sure Bo would enjoy some dog play on the White House lawn.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, First Dog Bo Obama, Fun stuff
        

The Dog Whisperer, who you can see all the time on cable TV, is going on tour...and he's kind of a pricey ticket.

Cesar Millan will bring his PackPower Tour to the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va., on Dec. 6. Tickets will cost anywhere from $39.50 to a whopping $150. That seems like quite a bit of money for a guy whose act is usually free. And he's not exactly Bruce Springsteen, performancewise.

Tickets go on sale October 10 at 10 a.m.

According to his press release the live show  will be quite something: “From Sheepdogs to Schnauzers, Poodles to Pomeranians, Cesar Millan will have audiences spellbound as he shares his amazing insights on dog psychology and how people can inadvertently play a role in their dog's behavioral issues,” said tour producer Bill Silva.

Continue reading "Would you pay to see 'The Dog Whisperer' live?" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

You'll have to trust me on this one. Clever and more fun than it should be. Try: Roll over...

Click here for the most obedient dog ever!

And Happy Tuesday!

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Pet videos
        

Though Baltimore now boasts two dog parks, and Quiet Waters Park recently earned high marks as one of the country's best dog beaches, no area dog parks made Petside.com's list of the best dog parks.

If your dog is up for a drive, however, two of the top parks are in Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Petside applauds the 24/7 access at Bea Arthur Park in Norfolk, and its water features, toy bin and scenic view.

As for Jackson's Howlabaloo Dog Park in Edinboro, Pa., they call is "58 fenced acres of doggy fun." Creeks, hiking trails and paw showers -- wow! The picture above, courtesy of the dog park, shows off one of its dog lakes.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Here's some great news for all of us who can't bear the thought of parting one day from our furry ones.

According to this story in the New York Daily News (apparently re-purposed from MSNBC), the average pet is living as long as 15.

“Just as the average life expectancy for people keeps reaching closer to the century mark, we’ll continue to see the same parallels in our pet population,” said Martha Smith, director of veterinary services at Boston’s Animal Rescue League.

How long your pet lives can vary with breed though. Small to medium-sized pooches live longer than larger dogs. Toy dogs stick around for the longest time, while giant breeds like Newfoundlands, Saint Bernards, Great Danes and Irish wolfhounds have the shortest life span.

In general, cats outlive dogs, with many indoor ones living long enough to celebrate their 20th birthday. Siamese and Abyssinians live the longest.

Pictured above is the remarkable Mookie, who just this week, began experiencing his 23rd October. Mookie lives in Baltimore County and was featured earlier this year in Collared. Go Mook go!

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health
        

Just got word that there's another meeting scheduled for tonight to talk about potential off-leash hours and a dog park at Patterson Park.

Here's details I saw online:

The Department of Parks and Recreation would like to have a second public forum on the issue of Off leash hours and a fenced in dog park in Patterson Park on Thursday, October 1st at 6 PM to be held at the Wolfe Street Academy School on Wolfe Street in Upper Fells Pt.

There's also a similar meeting planned in a few weeks for Riverside Park. The Riverside folks say the meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct 26 at Salem Lutheran Church, the corner of Battery and Randall.

Continue reading "Another Patterson Park off-leash meeting tonight" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

So about a zillion of you are waiting and waiting for more word of what's up with Baltimore's effort to get the Rescue Ink tough guys to town to rally support against animal cruelty in town.

Well, after last week when MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED OF YOU volunteered to get paw print tattoos if they guys would come here, that got the attention of the network, their fundraisers and, as I told you late last week, the guys themselves.

On Wednesday, one of the show's producers called, sounding quite interested in the possibility of bringing the show to Baltimore. While she made no promises, she was really impressed with everyone's passion about animal issues and wants to further the explore of doing a Rescue Ink episode in town.

Continue reading "Rescue Ink Update: The producer gets in touch!" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

If you love Crocs -- or perhaps even if you despise them -- this just might be on your holiday wish list.

The Sasquatch Pet Bed company (Bigfoot, get it??) is offering the world a bed for dogs or cats shaped like a giant shoe, specifically like what has to be the least attractive plastic shoe ever created.

The dog and cat version of the Croc comes in blue and pink and camo -- just like the real things. The little Schnauzer above even looks authentically dismayed to be photographed in one -- except that, of course, just like the real Crocs, the beds look undeniably comfortable.

They're $99.95 each. Please Santa!

Photos courtesy of Sasquatch Pet Beds.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

The website Cleanhomeideas.com would like to remind folks that even though 15 percent of the population suffers from allergies, the sniffles and sneezing don't necessarily have to prevent anyone from having a dog.

They (and the American Kennel Club) say these are the best breeds for allergy sufferers:

Basenji
Bedlington Terrier
Bichon Frise
Cairn Terrier
Chinese Crested
Coton de Tulear
Fox Terrier
Havanese
Irish Water Spaniel
Kerry Blue Terrier
Maltese
Poodle (any size) -- like Teddy Bean!
Portuguese Water Dog -- like Bo Obama!
Schnauzer
Shih Tzu
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Yorkshire Terrier

Continue reading "The best dog breeds for allergy sufferers" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health
        

The U.K. always thinks of all the good stuff first.

The country's animal advocate, PDSA, has come up with the Pet Fit Club, a kind of "Biggest Loser" contest to whip oversize dogs and cats into shape while drawing national attention to the dangers of animal obesity.

Socrates, the long-haired kitty pictured, weighed 22 pounds at the beginning of the contest, thanks largely to a diet heavy on cheese and onion crisps. His target is to be less than half the kitty he started as -- or about 9 pounds. He's five years old and belongs to Bill Duncan.

Socs has 100 days to reach his target goal. He's on prescription diet food, and, according to Duncan, doesn't much care for the portions. Go Socs!

Check out Socrates progress in this story.

Cheer on the other contestants here. 

(Photo courtesy People's Dispensary for Sick Animals).

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Health
        

Michael Vick, convicted of his role in a dogfighting ring and now out of jail and with the Philadelphia Eagles, tells a crowd at a Washington, D.C. church: "I would fly home every week. Every week to go home and fight dogs. For what reason? I don't know to this day. Something so pointless."

Vick spoke Tuesday at Covenant Baptist Church, in one of the city's poorest neighborhoods.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Authorities in Pennsylvania are offering up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in dogfighting.

The reward was announced Monday by Attorney General Tom Corbett and The Humane Society of the United States, the Associated Press reports. It also applies to other animal combat, such as cockfighting.

The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has received more than 400 complaints about dogfighting in the first six months of this year. That's up from 245 complaints during all of 2008.

Maybe Baltimore (or Maryland) could borrow this idea if it looks like it's working in Pa.?

The reward is funded through a grant from the Holland M. Ware Charitable Foundation.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

On Monday I went to observe an emergency preparedness drill for Baltimore County. What made it special is that for the first time in the state, officials were rehearsing opening a shelter that people and pets could share together. After Hurricane Katrina, it was clear that state and local governments needed an emergency plan to handle animals -- officials estimate as many as 600,000 pets died or were lost in the Gulf Coast storm and its aftermath. What makes this option pretty great for people with pets, is that you wouldn't have to leave your pets in the middle of a disaster -- you could be in the same building and able to check in on them. So much more peace of mind....

Here's a video Sun photographer Algerina Perna put together at the site, Eastern Technical High School in Essex:

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health, Pet videos
        

Just saw this video story on CBS news tonight. Such a sweet, poignant story that shows just how strong the bond between a family and a pet can be. Watch it. You won't be disappointed.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Pet videos
        

NAME: Hughey.

OWNER: Scott Eggleston, Bonnie Hurwitz.

HOW THEY MET: I’m fostering him for Adopt a Homeless Animal Rescue.

AGE: 3-ish.

HOME:  Baltimore.

BREED: American Pitbull Terrier/Boxer.

BEST TRICK: Likes to kiss children.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Wrestling with my Amstaff Faith.

FAVORITE FOOD: Anything even resembling food.

FUNNIEST MOMENT: He climbed up in a friends lap, rested his head on her chest and sighed.

EAGER TO PLEASE: His kennel life has made him a little fearful of overactive dogs and he cowers if I make sudden moves or raise my arms too quickly. These could be signs of abuse in his past. If you are gentle but consistent with training he responds quickly and well. He wants to be close to you all the time and just wants to please.

He is about 63 pounds and neutered. He has a very sweet disposition with people and just wants to please. He has spent the last two years in various kennels around Maryland. He’s cautious around new dogs but will warm up quickly. He gets along beautifully with my Amstaff Faith. He will make a wonderful affectionate addition to any family.

Continue reading "Ready to be Collared: Hughey" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Collared, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

It's a big day for Baltimore dogs! The city's second dog park opens in Locust Point -- officially at noon with a ceremony lead by Mayor Sheila Dixon.

The approximately $200,000 park was paid for by community fundraisers and the city. It's on the Andre Street side of Latrobe Park.

For those familiar with the city's original dog park in Canton, this one is about the same size, but with a few more bells and whistles. For instance, there's a water feature that snakes, creek-like across a corner of the park -- dogs can splash in it or even have a drink. And a big hill in the middle is covered with artificial canine turf, to keep it looking green all year.

Have you checked it out yet with your dog? What do you think? I'm thinking it might be a good place to have the discussed 1st Baltimore Unleashed puppy playdate... that Bean is so excited about.

Read more here.

Friends of Locust Point Dog Park president Jamie Kelley and his sweet yellow lab Payton play at the park. Payton was really into the water feature. Sun photo/Algerina Perna.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

Ok. So yesterday afteroon two of the guys from Rescue Ink called me -- their publicist had told them about the amazing tattoo pledges underway in Baltimore.

I had a conference call with Johnny O, the one in the hat, at left, and Eric. They only go by first names.

Anyway, they were floored with the tattoo pledges. And they really would like to come back to the city -- they were here quickly a number of months ago after Phoenix, the pit bull, was burned and died. As a non-profit, they've got to figure out a way to pay for a trip, but it sounds like something that they're at least now thinking about. Read my whole story here.

"We never say no, especially when it comes to animals," said Johnny O. "We have an idea of what Baltimore is about."

In the meantime, Eric said stopping animal abuse is all about working together. Not being vigilates, but being aware and together as a city. That attitude, he says, will have potential abusers on guard.

If I'm an abuser and I’m worried that everyone is watching me, it’s going tomake me think twice," Eric said. "That’s kind of what we do to people. They say, 'I better not screw around cause I never know who’s going to call on me.' No one take crap....."

By the way, we're now up to 64 people pledging to get paw print tattoes if Rescue Ink comes to town!

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

Yay! Cuji, Ms. October for the 2010 Orioles calendar has been found!

Unleashed told you last week that the dog, who poses with Oriole Koji Euhara in the Maryland SPCA calendar, was feared stolen from her Baltimore home. 

Well, I heard a little bit ago from Cuji's owner Brian Willis and she was apparently turned into BARCS today and his fiancee was headed over to pick up the dog.

More details later if we find out anything on where Cuji was found, or her happy homecoming. We're just glad she's safe! Phew.

HERE'S AN UPDATE FROM BRIAN: 

"Cuji is finally back home.  She lost about 20 pounds and is visibly
thinner and a bit lethargic.  She's normally excited and greets me at
the door when I come home but today she just laid on the floor - she
didn't even turn her head to see who I was.  We hope that she's just
re-adjusting and that she will be back to normal within a few days. "

Posted by Jill Rosen at 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

For those of you caught up in the organically growing movement of sorts to tempt the guys of Rescue Ink to come to Baltimore to kick some animal-abuse butt, you'll want to know that two of the people who pledged to get a tattoo if they guys come here have created a Facebook page for the effort.

See it here. It's the work of Emily and Jacob.

I just got off the phone with two of the guys from Rescue Ink -- Eric and Johnny O. More coming on that later.....Meanwhile NEARLY 60 Unleashed diehards and animal lovers have promised to get paw print tattoos if the guys can make it to town. Wow. You are all pretty impressive!

(Of course if anyone's headed to Facebook, don't forget to become a fan of the Unleashed page, if you haven't already!)

Posted by Jill Rosen at 3:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

Seven of the dogs rescued this summer from a house in Pasadena where they lived in deplorable conditions are ready for adoption.

“These animals have been through a terrible ordeal and I am pleased that we can now relocate them into loving homes,” County Executive John R. Leopold said in a statement. “Animal Control is still treating several other dogs, who we hope will make a full recovery."

On Aug. 28, Animal Control responded to 7915 Sea Breeze Drive in Orchard Beach and found 19 dogs inside the residence and an additional two dogs in a trailer outside. All of the dogs were suffering from severe skin issues and some from of malnourishment and a lack of vet care. 

Continue reading "Rescued dogs ready for adoption in Annapolis" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

The nonprofit Beagle Rescue of Southern Maryland, Inc. will host its fourth annual fundraiser and alumni celebration “Beagle Bash 2009” at Countryside Kennels in Owings, MD from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The kennel is at 9214 Boyds Turn Road.

Beagle Bash is a free for both dogs and people. There will be a variety of activities in a fenced in area, so that dogs can be off leash. You can see how much fun the pups had at last year's event in the above photo.

Activities will include Canine Good Citizen testing, swimming and lounging by the doggie swimming pool, contests like Cake Walk with Your Beagle, Best Look-a-Like, Best Bugler, Dancing with the Hounds, raffles, pet photographs and vendors.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

In response to the Unleashed throwdown yesterday, asking readers to make pleas to the muscled, inked men of Rescue Ink to come to Baltimore in the name of stopping this city's animal abuse....not one but TWO brave readers offered to get paw print tattoos if the guys come to town. (Note from Jill: As of 12:56 p.m., it's now THREE thanks to Lindsay!) (Another note from Jill: As of 1:15 p.m., we've got FOUR thanks to Carol and a few more folks on Twitter acting interested....) (Um, at 1:26 p.m., we've got FIVE!!!) (Update: As of 1:53 p.m., thanks to Reada and DCDiva, we're up to SEVEN!!!!) (Update. 2:01 p.m. Kathy says she'll be EIGHT!) (Update: Betsy and Shannon make NINE and TEN.) (BIG UPDATE!!! 2:29 p.m. Two of the Rescue Ink guys are going to talk to me tomorrow afternoon! I'll tell them all about everyone's pledges!) (2:32 p.m....Julianna and V make 12.) (2:43 p.m. Steven and "BehindBJ" make 13 and 14.) (Caitlin makes 15 at 2:51 p.m.) (2:58 p.m. Spam and his girlfriend Anna make 17!) (Samstersmom makes 18 at 3:09 p.m.) (At 3:31, Stephanie makes 19.) (Tracy makes 20, providing it's not too expensive, she says. 4:07 p.m.) (4:30 p.m.: SoboJosie makes it 21.) (4:45 p.m.: Lauren and Dawn join the pack, making 23.) (6:48 p.m. Baltimoregal and Jen are in, rounding out a nice 25.) (7:37 p.m. Janet makes 26.) (8:07: 27 = Michelle!) (8:12 p.m.: K.M. says it would be "a pleasure." So, 28.) Phew! (9:19 p.m.: We've got four more: Megan and Andy her housemate, Gina and Frank. That would be 32.) (Add in Wendy C. to make 33.) (And Anna = 34). (And at 11:18, the last of the day, Stephanie, to make 35.)...(Thursday morning: Larissa said overnight she'd be willing to be "inked for the cause." 36!) (10:08 a.m., Valerie says she'd get her 1st tat for this. 37.) (10:26 a.m. Brian confirms. He's 38.) (Davida makes 39 at 10:40 a.m.) (10:49 a.m. Husband and wife Barbie and Joey are in, as is "Cynical Eastern Shorn Girl." That would be 42.) (And Melanie. 43.) (44 with Josh.) (12:04 p.m. And apparently Tara, to make 45!) (At 46, Jacob says "Bring it," Rescue Ink!) (Emily R. makes 47.) (12:15 p.m. Patrick L. and Meekrat make 49.) (12:19 p.m.: Plus WendyLou, even though she doesn't live in Baltimore anymore. 50.) (Lauren and Emilie make 52!) (12:43 p.m.: Amy for 53.) (No. 54 is Mila.) (We've got Darlene at 55.) (Jackie is 56.) (Hope is 57.) (4:10 p.m. Shaun, another B-more ex-pat is in. 58. Deborah might make 59.) (Theresa and Sara, the latest to join the potential tat club. That's 61!) (Make it 62, says Maegan.) (JillyBean, no apparent relation to Teddy Bean, would like to be No. 63.)...FRIDAY: John says he's 64. Liz is 65. Pat and Kerry make 67. No. 68? That's Adel! Mary and her husband are in, for 70. 11:30 a.m. Tim T. proudly joins the pack. 71....No. 72 is Sara who says, "Anything for the animals." ..Justine says she's ready for paw prints. 73....Tattoo and kitty lover Kim is 74....75 is Michele.....Sisters Diane and Dona are ready for paws. 77. James is 78...Dave is 79. Stacey makes it an even 80....Stephanie says she'll make tat No. 8 a paw. She's 81... Leonard's daughter convinced him: He's 82. Making 84, there's Cynthia and Jennipea.... Couple Toni and Tony, Krystal, Melissa are in for tattoos. It will be Melissa's first! 88. Co-workers Casey and Tiffany make 90! Add Joshua. 91. And Angela: 92. Virginia and Andrea want in: 94....Michael and another person who together have four dogs and two cats. 96....Pat, Mike and Jacq for 99...Tara is 100. Wow. 100...Shaun is 101. 102 is Joshua.

Go Shannon and Jaime!

"We need some muscle to rough up the scum who abuse innocent animals," Jaime writes....

Wow. How can they refuse that? These are men who respect the tattoo. ... Someone also offered to buy them a round of drinks.

I'm still trying to get these offers in front of the Rescue Ink crew. Hopefully they'll even respond.

Image of paw prints in the snow courtesy of rmceoi's photostream on Flickr.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (126)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Pets on Wheels, a not for profit volunteer group that coordinates volunteers to bring animals to institutions for visits is having it's annual Dog-a-Thon. For instance, this Saturday while the event is happening, some dogs from the group will be at the Pratt central library on Cathedral Street in Baltimore at 2 p.m., for a literacy program where they'll be read to by children. Very cute.

To walk at the Dog-a-Thon, just register your dog online, maybe get some folks to sponsor you and help the group raise money. Whoever raises the most money will win a portrait of their pet by Carl Woerner of Pencil Works Studio.

In addition to the walk around the Cockeysville park, there will be various demos, contests and vendors. There will be items up for raffle, a silent auction, food and a disc jockey. Events run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Continue reading "Dog-a-thon this weekend at Oregon Ridge" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff, Health
        

An eastern Pennsylvania breeder has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty after SPCA agents raided his kennel last year and found hundreds of dogs crowded together in filthy conditions, reports the Associated Press.

Forty-one-year-old Derbe Eckhart, who owned Almost Heaven Kennels where Teddy Bean and 17 other dogs who were brought to Baltimore this summer came from, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Lehigh County Court to two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and five violations of the state's dog law.

Eckhart faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a maximum fine of $7,500 when he is sentenced Nov. 16.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Jay Jenkins says Eckhart treated the dogs with "wanton neglect."

Read more here from the Allentown Morning Call, which has been closely following the case.

Two of the Almost Heaven pups that came to the Maryland SPCA in Baltimore, along with the neglected sweetie that would become Teddy Bean.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

In this story out of New Jersey, a couple splitting up went to court to decide who got custody of the dog...setting off a $40,000 legal battle.

The verdict: They'll get turns caring for Pug named Dexter, starting promptly at 6 p.m. every fifth Friday.

The legal battle began after the couple called off their engagement in 2006.

Anyone who's split up with a significant other or a roommate or a sibling have any creative custody arrangements with their pets?

Photo of a Pug pup, not the contested Dexter, (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia).

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Have you heard of the Rescue Ink guys? They're a gang of heavily tattooed, none-too-dainty chaps on a mission to, perhaps surprisingly at first blush, stop animal abuse.

They've got a new TV show that premiers Friday night on the National Geographic Channel. And they've also got a new book -- a few copies of which I'm willing to give away to folks who can come up with the best pleas to get the guys to come to Baltimore.

This city has animals in need. Big time. So write up a few lines beseeching the be-inked crew to get down here and start busting some heads or whatever they do in the name of furry ones.

They say they "stop at nothing within the bounds of law" to help helpless, abused and abandoned animals.

Don't you think we could use them? Get your pleas in.... I'll pick some winners by the end of the day..... And I'll do my best to make sure the guys see what you write.....

Continue reading "Win book by tempting Rescue Ink to Baltimore" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (24)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Joel Silverman, host of Animal Planet's "Good Dog U" and author of "What Color Is Your Dog?" is coming to Camp Bow Wow on at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for a free talk.

The one-hour seminar, at 7165 Oakland Mills Rd. in Columbia, is expected to include topics such as: Silverman's background as a Hollywood dog trainer and building a relationship between you and your dog.

He'll also talk about his book and how to train your dog based on personality. You can find out which of five colors represents your dog's personality and how training will vary based on that color conclusion.

There will be time for a question and answer period and book signing.

The talk is free, but Camp Bow Wow is encouraging a small donation to help support area shelters -- things like dog treats, dog food and lightly used blankets or toys.

Space is limited; please RSVP to reserve a spot and to leave your dogs at home. Call 410.964.BARK (2275).

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

Interesting piece from the Chicago Tribune, previewing an animal rights/free speech issue that the Supreme Court is expected to tackle next month:

A tiny white kitten squeals in pain as a flame from a lighter burns his fur. Another terrified kitten cries in agony as it is crushed by a woman's spiked heel. Another video clip shows pit bull dogs viciously ripping into the neck of a trapped pig.

The Supreme Court has often said freedom of speech includes ugly and foul speech, but this fall, the justices will be looking at some of these video clips to decide whether selling films of dog fights or the torture of helpless animals is protected from prosecution under the First Amendment.

The dispute, due to be heard in October, has driven a wedge between traditional free-speech advocates and the defenders of humane treatment of animals.

What do you think? Read the rest of the story here. Here's the New York Times' take on the issue.

Photo of sweet kitty from Katie Tegtmeyer's photostream on Flickr.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health, Pet videos
        

Salma Hayek pets Bullseye, the Target Dog, as she arrives at the ALMA Awards on Thursday, Sept. 17, in Los Angeles. She's no doubt petting him on the left side so that the bright red makeup (or whatever it is) on his right side, won't rub off on her. Something about the idea of painting dogs just bugs me. (Remember this poodle?) (Even worse, my editor pointed out this link to me the other day.... Some people are crazy.) (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Here's a clever idea that would be cool to try in Baltimore:

A group of upstate New York dog owners thinks it has a plan to profitably compost dog doo left behind by the roughly 50,000 canines that use the city's dog park each year, the Associated Press reports.

If their pilot project is successful, the Tompkins County Dog Owners Group and Cayuga Compost hope to market usable compost within two or three years.

Finding a use for the billions of pounds of pooch poop produced yearly in the United States could greatly reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, said Leon Kochian, a spokesman for TC DOG, the not-for-profit volunteer group involved in funding the project.

"There was a large Dumpster at the park, and it was just always overflowing with plastic bags of dog poop. The amount was unbelievable," said Kochian, a Cornell University biology professor who owns a yellow Labrador retriever.

"Ithaca has a reputation as a green community. ... It made sense to us to find a way to compost and spare the landfill from all the plastic bags," Kochian said.

Leon Kochian, a Cornell University biology professor, is seen with his Labrador, Sophie, right, at the Treman Marina Dog Park in Ithaca, N.Y. Kochian helped organize a dog waste composting effort that could help reduce dog excrement in landfills and provide a usable fertilizer. (AP Photo/Heather Ainsworth)

Continue reading "Dog owners reconsider value of poop" »

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

A sort of famous Baltimore dog was nabbed Tuesday night from her backyard.

A two and a half year-old pit bull mix named Cuji, who's Ms. October in the Maryland SPCA's just-released