Have A Heart for the Animals Month

It's February and everyone at the AuSable Valley Animal Shelter in Grayling knows what that means - It's Have A Heart for the Animals Month! Their pretty pink and red hearts are now at local business in and around Grayling. For a donation of $1 or more, honor your pet or someone you love by displaying their name on one of over 1,000 hearts.

Church Group Keeps Cherryland Humane Society's Dogs Active in Mind, Body and Spirit

As the economy gets worse, the number of animals needing a home goes up, putting an extra strain on local animal shelters and rescue organizations. Helping to ease some of the burden at the Cherryland Humane Society in Traverse City is a group of dedicated dog walkers from Unity Church of Traverse City. These volunteers show up six days a week at 11am (except Sundays and holidays) to exercise the dogs who are waiting for their forever homes. The walkers give the dogs a break from the confines of their kennels and a little extra love along the way.

Daily walking of the dogs gives them socialization, often with six different people six days a week, which enhances their comfort level with people. They love the exercise and opportunity to smell, walk, run and play when time allows. Program organizer Sue Schwartz says, "I love to see the great teamwork of the walkers, while they walk all of the dogs each day and delight in all the adoptions daily. It is truly a blessing to be able to interact with these great dogs daily."

The program started in August of 2006 when Minister Crystal Yarlott was volunteering at CHS and noticed Armstrong, a 12-year old English Setter with a limp, who stole her heart. The staff said that he wasn't getting enough exercise and that there were a large number of pets that simply weren't getting the exercise or attention that they needed. That gave Crystal an idea. She mentioned the problem to Sue Schwartz, a member of the church who is retired and that is how "Armstrong's Walkers for Unity" became a reality. Over the years, many more volunteers have signed on to walk dogs, both from the church and also directly through the humane society. In all, there have been 145 volunteers who have walked the dogs at least once.

As you would imagine, some of the walkers become adopters as well. We all know how hard it is to resist some of those cute furry faces that come across your life. Volunteer Lisa Preckel is one of those walkers. She has been a dog walker since October 2008 and saw Sheila, a 5 year-old lab/pointer mix, the first week she started volunteering. She had just lost her Katrina rescue dog, Sparky, and when she saw Sheila, she immediately fell in love. Sheila (renamed Leland) now lives happily with Lisa's other three dogs.

The dog walkers, in addition to providing love and attention, are known for pointing out changes of behavior or medical issues in the dogs which is very helpful to the staff. On a recent cold & wintery day, I came across a volunteer named Holly taking a walk with Tippy.

I was very impressed that even though the temperature was extremely cold, Holly took Tippy for a very extensive walk around the grounds. Tippy stopped in front of me for some belly rubs and a photo op, while Holly commented that she thought he might be a good agility dog because of his energy.

Because some of the dog walkers volunteer on a regular basis, they become strong advocates to find their furry friends a new home - and some of them even generously donate to spay and neuter some of the dogs. Unity Church of Traverse City even has a bulletin board with pictures of the dogs up for adoption and participates in a dog ministry where they will pray for a specific dog until it is adopted. The church also allows dogs to attend Sunday church services when they are under control of their guardian and on a leash.

The dog walking program is very organized and coordinated by Sue Schwartz. About five to six people a day go to the shelter to walk the dogs. If you're interested in becoming a dog walker, please stop by the Humane Society and pick up a volunteer application. After that, you will be scheduled for an orientation. The names of people who want to walk dogs are given to Sue and she schedules training for dog walking procedures. In the last orientation, 18 of the 24 volunteers wanted to be dog walkers so the program has become quite popular.

Crystal Yarlott thinks the dog walking program is so successful because of Sue Schwartz and people really loving dogs and wanting to help them. She says, "We are well organized in how we walk the dogs too, with procedures and mentoring, so people aren't left to fend for themself. They get called right away when they show interest. Also this ministry is a great way to get exercise! My arms are much stronger now!"

She continues, "A lot of people say they could never walk the dogs. "I'd want to take them all home." But we do our best not to get in that emotional space with the dogs, though almost all of us pick favorites from time to time. I always encourage a new walker to hold in mind that the dog we are walking will find a great home instead of feeling sorry for them. This helps us walkers too -- to keep our spirits up when we walk them. Pity never helps. Having a vision for them always helps, and I feel the dogs know we believe in the best for them."

Mike Cherry, Executive Director of Cherryland Humane Society, also applauds the efforts of the dog walkers. He says, "We are deeply grateful for the efforts of the Unity Church dog walkers. Their sacrificial efforts and commitment, no matter what the weather is, ensures that shelter dogs are both exercised and socialized, which enhances the animals' well being and adoptability."

For more information about how to become a Cherryland Humane Society volunteer, go to their website by clicking here or call 231-946-5116.

Dog Walking Program Introduced to Assist Area Dog Owners

Obesity is an extremely common problem, affecting 20 to 40 percent of American dogs. Obese dogs may develop arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses. An active dog will have fewer of these risks and will be less susceptible to digestive problems, urinary infections, depression and insomnia. An exercised dog leads to a calm, well-behaved dog, but many of us do not have the time or resources to provide our dogs with the exercise they need, especially in the winter months. Sara’s Legacy Pet Sitters/Dog Walkers introduces a new program, offering an affordable exercise plan designed around you and your dog’s needs. For more information call 231.632.2877 or click here.

Traverse City's Winter WonderFest Includes Many Animal Events

The Cherry Capital Winter WonderFest is a four-day winter celebration of music, food, and fun that takes place each year on President’s Day weekend, February 12-15, 2010. There’s so much going on that they couldn’t fit it all into a single location. There are events and activities happening all around the Traverse City area.

There many animal events going during the event including a kid's petting zoo, dog sled demonstrations, pony rides, sleigh rides, horse & carriage rides, dog sled rides, the first annual Monster Dog Pull. Please check out their website here for a complete schedule and more info.

Local Dog Makes it Big – Goes to the Nationals in Dock Jumping

It's been about six months since the Ultimate Air Dog competition at the Cherry Festival and Lily, one of our local dock jumpers, is still making waves. After a few medical set-backs, Lily went on to the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge, in October to compete against other top dogs in dock jumping, the National Championship for Dock Jumping and other sport dog events. She came in first place during the qualifier with a jump of 26’'7" and finished sixth place the next day in the National Finals with a jump of 25'10".

The two top winners in the dock jumping event jumped over 30' and were from California, a much warmer location to practice than Michigan, and also a state where dogs can jump year-round. To keep Lily conditioned, her owners Dave and Kathy Frost have Lily run on a treadmill and there are also snowbanks to jump off in their backyard during the winter. Lily is very high energy and likes to have a good time. She often bangs her ball against the door so that her owners will come out in the cold and throw a ball to her for a chase. Lily might even take up a new sport this winter - snowshoeing!

Dave and Kathy Frost love the sport of dock jumping as much as Lily does and equate themselves to the soccer moms, considering themselves to be "dog jumping parents" as they load their mini van with jumping equipment and travel to different jumping events in Michigan and other states. There is a commaderie with other owners of jumping dogs, as they often find themselves in the same "dog allowed" hotels. The owners and the dogs get together, enjoying both the competition and the fun of the sport. After qualifying for the Incredible Dog Challenge Finals, Kathy and Dave were invited to the competitor's dinner at Purina Farms where they met world champion dog owners and said that everyone in the sport is very friendly and loves participating in the events.

Lily, who turns three in January, is a rescue dog from Petsafe Rescue Alliance. Her owners picked up on her talents immediately when they saw her "fly" into the lake instead of just jumping in like other dogs. Her first appearance at the Cherry Festival's Ultimate Air Dog event was a memorable one. After jumping off the dock like a pro, she got out of the water and went back up to the platform and jumped again on her own!

The Purina Incredible Dog Challenge (PIDC) is a series of televised competitions that showcase “incredible dogs” competing in activities they love to do. The events include popular disciplines such as Incredible Freestyle Flying Disc, Incredible Agility, Incredible Diving Dog, Incredible Head-to-Head 60-Weave Pole racing and Incredible Jack Russell Hurdle Racing. The regionals leading up to the main event will be televised on ESPN2 on Sunday, January 3rd. The St. Louis finals will be on ABC on Sunday, January 24th at 3:30 p.m. and repeated again in February and March. Click here for the full schedule.

You can read the previous article about Lily at the Cherry Festival by clicking here.

Kathy also does pet sitting in her home where pets get the utmost in case and a safe environment to stay in while their families are away. You can reach Kathy with Petcare by Kathy Frost at 633-1131.

Diabetic Pets
by Sue Weston

Are you one of the many pet owners facing the possibility that your pet has diabetes? You probably already suspect it - the excessive thirst accompanied by uncontrollable and profuse urination, maybe weight gain at first and then the extreme weight loss. If so, your Vet will be able to confirm the presence of diabetes with a simple blood glucose test, but at first nothing about the future of your pet will seem to be simple again.

In our area at least, our dog Roscoe, was a unique example as he was only 6 months old when he was diagnosed. Of all the people I’ve shared with, I’ve only met 2 others with young pets with diabetes, the rest have been elderly. When we picked up Roscoe from the shelter, he was an emaciated, skeletal 11 pounds. There was no guessing as to what would have happened to him in the next few days – he would have succumbed to the diabetes or surely been euthanized. We gathered him up in our arms and raced him to our Vet. When the diagnosis came in, we had to make some decisions. Quite frankly our Vet thought we were taking on too much by treating Roscoe, but our hearts were already claimed and we embarked on the journey that has brought so much joy into our lives and that has also given Roscoe a chance at life he would otherwise not have had.

We were clueless, truly. There were so many things to consider, so many choices to make. What kind of insulin would he require? We didn’t even know what a vial of insulin would cost. How much and how often would we need to ‘poke’ our little guy? What size syringe should be used? Should we test his blood sugar ourselves; if so, with a human meter or an animal meter? What type of food should we feed him? What treats could we give, what did we need to avoid. Could he run and play like other puppies, or did he need to be guarded like an invalid. And… where and to whom could we turn for the answers?

Amazingly, we learned many of the answers very quickly. We found that there are numerous resources available. First of all your Vet will prescribe the type and amount of insulin and monitor your pet’s progress very closely; he will also show you which size syringe to use with the type of insulin being used. Some insulins can be purchased over the counter for a very reasonable cost; some pets must use insulin which requires a prescription and that can be more costly. As well, your pharmacist can be invaluable in helping to fill in some of the gray areas. Our Vet was honest with us from the very beginning – he had never treated a diabetic puppy. We could have sought another Vet with more experience, but we chose to work with ours and he was glad to work with us. To help get more information and answers, I joined an online diabetic pet forum soon after Roscoe’s diagnosis, and a vast amount of what I know is what I have learned from so many of those members who were ahead of me in their experience, and willing to share their wisdom, and so much more. These people are family to me; we have celebrated victories together and we’ve cried through the losses that touched us as well. Roscoe is a success story, very much in part because of our choices and resolve, but also because of the efforts of the many professionals as well as friends who have supported and guided us in the journey.

Although many pet owners leave blood testing up to their Vet, for several reasons we felt we needed to be able to learn to monitor his blood glucose readings ourselves, and so we invested in a human blood glucose meter and began testing him very early on. The glucometer itself can be relatively inexpensive; the strips can be kept at a reasonable cost by purchasing them online for almost half the price as what you find in the store. Your Vet can teach you how to test your pet at home (or you may refer to one of the many online demonstrations), but he may request that you bring in your pet for routine tests called ‘blood glucose curves’, which gives him an idea of how your pet is utilizing the amount of insulin over a certain period of time. Some owners opt for this, some actually do their own curves as well as monitor the blood glucose daily. Most pets quickly adjust to their testing and shots and accept it as a routine part of their lives – especially if they get a treat right after their shots!

Choosing Roscoe’s food was made through a process of elimination; we tried a few different brands and finally settled on one that we’ve used now for over a year and a half. As a diabetic dog, Roscoe eats two meals a day, the same amount each time, and they are spaced 12 hours apart, after which both times he also receives his insulin. The right amount of carbohydrates, fat, and protein in the food plays a big role in assisting the work of the insulin. Another consideration is the timing of exercise and insulin, something that is important but often overlooked. Although Roscoe’s blood glucose levels and consequently his insulin needs have fluctuated off and on since his diagnosis, he has actually been on the same dose of insulin now for almost a year, and his blood glucose readings are consistently in the acceptable range. That is a goal highly sought and greatly appreciated!

Of course caring for a diabetic pet can be a challenge, but the rewards are immense and well worth every effort. You need only ask diabetic pet owners who have plunged in and set their minds to managing their pet’s diabetes, enabling their pets to live healthy, vibrant lives. We have never looked back since that awful day when we first saw Roscoe in the shelter. Every day with him is a new adventure as we watch him at play with his brothers and sister, bouncing and prancing like every other 3-year-old pup. When he snuggles in with us at night, we pull him close and nuzzle his ears and his cute little pink nose; he is a treasured gift and we are richer by far because of his presence in our lives.

Pet Friends Newsletters (Winter Edition) Is Out

The printed edition of the winter newsletter is now available at a vet office, pet supply store or library near you. Some of the Traverse City locations include: Petsmart (Banfield vet), Pet Supplies Plus, Square Deal, TC library, Borders Books, the local vets, Horizon Books and more! They will also be distributed in a limited supply to other nearby towns. If you can't find one, let me know and I'll point you in the right direction.

The Humane Society of the United States Launches First National ‘Puppy Mill’ Tip Line

To help end the misery associated with large-scale dog breeding operations known as “puppy mills,” The Humane Society of the United States has launched a national telephone tip line and encourages callers to report suspected cruelty or unlawful activities involving such breeding facilities.

The hotline, 1-877-MILL-TIP, is available to anyone with information of a possible crime involving puppy mills – but particularly welcomes information from those with “insider” knowledge, or from law enforcement officials who might be aware of such operations.

AC Paw Craft and Bake Sale Photos Nov. 2009

I had a good time and met some great people at the AC Paw's Craft & Bake Sale on Saturday. I also received a lot of donations to help out the kitties and pups. Thanks to everyone who contributed!

And there were also a few dog shoppers who came by to visit...

No-Kill Proposal Submitted to Cherryland Humane Society

As promised to many of my friends in the animal community, I am posting the no-kill proposal that I submitted to Cherryland Humane Society on Monday, November 2nd. I was asked by the board members to submit this plan to them and it was developed after more than 20 hours of consultation and research with different rescue groups and no-kill shelters. It was compiled based on the information that I had available to me concerning the shelter.

I had a meeting with the board members on Monday, November 9th, along with Debbie Schutt from the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance in Bloomfield Hills. This organization has been one of the contributors to the plan and Debbie offered the assistance of her group to the Humane Society should they decide to be no-kill. This offer is FREE. The Michigan Pet Fund Alliance is willing to help Cherryland towards their no-kill goal including organizational planning and grantwriting.

I hope you will read the proposal and email me with any comments that you have.

Click here for a pdf of the entire plan.

For those of you who do not want to read the entire plan, you can download a 2-page overview of the plan by clicking here.

You can see the story and post comments about the proposal on the 7&4 news website by clicking here.

Northern Michigan Euthanasia Reports and Local PAW Awards

Click here to find out about your local shelter and how it compares to other groups in the area.

Helping Animals in Haiti

I am writing this to give you the heads up on what I know about animal issues in Haiti. I heard from a few people that HSUS is trying to get people to donate to them even though they are not currently listed with the animal coalition that went to Haiti. I think they are doing their own thing - you can check out their website here.

I do know that Best Friends just posted on Facebook that they have all the money they need for the animal activities through ARCH (The Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti).

United Animal Nations, one of the coalition partners, has some pretty good information and pictures on their site here.

I also checked on the Noah's Wish website - they've been doing animal rescue (disasters) for quite a while. Here is what their site said: "Noah's Wish has been monitoring the situation unfolding in Haiti and has learned through sources on the ground that there are very few household pets in the country. Current response efforts are focused on caring for livestock (mainly goats and chickens, with a few cattle). While we do not anticipate deploying volunteers to the area, we are looking for suitable ways to support response efforts by providing much needed supplies. As more information becomes available we will update this website."

The bottom line is, please be responsible with your donations and research the situation if you want to donate to this cause.

ASPCA in the News

I've recently read two very disturbing stories involving the ASPCA and wanted to pass them along to you.

Do animals need laws protecting them from shelters?

Employees saw ASPCA vet John Morehead kick Rottweiler before it died; heartbroken owner files suit

and please click here for a local "letter to the editor" from someone who asks everyone to support their local groups instead of the national organizations.

The Dog Breeds We Love and the Rescue Groups Who Care for Them

A lot of people have their favorite breed of dog. I've grown up with dogs all my life. I started out with Shelties (my mother's choice more than mine really) and then I switched to Cairn Terriers. Kind of a strange transition, you might think. The thing was...we were actually calling about a Sheltie/Cairn mix that we saw in the newspaper. Turned out Gus was mostly Cairn. But you know how it goes...cute puppy...darling eyes...it's not like you can turn your back on a puppy once you see it! So even though my first Cairn was quite personality challenged (I'm sure my friends and relatives would have other words to describe him), Gus was still the smartest & cutest dog -the best little character I'd ever met. So of course I had to get another one a few years ago after Gus died.

It's kind of like the book "Marley and Me" (the book, not the movie). In that story, Marley is quite the uncontrollable dog and a real challenge to the owners. But as crazy as Marley was, after Marley died, the owners went right back out and basically found the same kind of dog again. That's why I liked the book better than the movie - it had a much better ending. The decision by the owners to get a similar dog the second time around made me laugh because I did the same thing.

My newest Cairn, Jonah, is also a character, although much nicer, as my friends at Cherry Bend Animal Hospital would agree with. Jonah is still a challenge though. Smart as a whip, he knows more than 30 words and phrases...but somehow he still doesn't understand "stop" when he barks relentlessly at the neighbors going up and down the easement every day.

Whether rational or not, we all have our favorite breeds. You might be thinking about adopting a poodle right now - ONLY a poodle, a black one, a female who is younger than four years old. That's why petfinder.org is so great. You can look for a specific kind of dog and also one that is close to where you live - and save a life in the process. You can even sign up to have Petfinder email you when your choice of dog becomes available.

While I'm sure there are many reputable breeders out there who truly care about the dogs in their care and the bloodlines, I still recommend that people go to a local shelter or rescue organization first when looking for a new dog to adopt. There are so many of them waiting in shelters, some with limited time, so www.petfinder.org should always be your first place to look.

You might be surprised to know that there are even breed rescue groups out there who specialize in specific kinds of dogs. I think breed rescues are a great idea because the foster homes KNOW exactly what they're getting into and are very knowledgeable about the breeds that they rescue. They are also able to thoroughly educate the people who adopt their dogs about that breed's behavior, health conditions and more.

One such breed rescue group is North Star Border Collie Rescue out of Traverse City, Michigan, a group focused on rescuing Border Collies in the state of Michigan and the midwest. Many of the founders and board members are long time rescuers and herding dog owners. Part of the rescue's mission is to educate the public about the characteristics and traits of herding breeds. They primarily rescue Border Collie or Australian Shepherd purebreds or mixes, but they have also been known to take in other herding breeds that are in need.

Their focus is to give the dogs good foundation skills to be successful in their next home. They educate and support the adopters of their foster dogs and in most cases make a successful match of human and dog.

What are these dogs like? Versatility and intelligence are the best words that describe both the Border Collie and the Australian Shepherd. They do well in herding, obedience, agility, flyball, dock diving, and even dog sledding. They have a great work ethic, attitude, and are able to work and play all day as they were bred to work from dawn to dusk.

Border Collies tend to be quieter dogs than Australian Shepherds. Australian Shepherds will give a warning bark of things happening around the house. Both breeds can be protective and will nip while herding things. Border Collies and Australian Shepherds are extremely sight, motion, and sound sensitive. These dogs are very active and most require an activity to do daily.

As with most rescue groups, there are challenges involved with running a breed rescue organization. Sue Bouchey from the North Star Border Collie Rescue says, "as with any rescue, the lack of resources and running a rescue in several states can be challenging. Much of our work is communicated through volunteers over the internet. We do try to get Border Collies and Australian Shepherds to foster homes that understand the characteristic of the breeds and educate the public about them."

She continues, "Many herding dogs are given up at the time they start to mature and dumped into shelters where they do not show well. They are extremely sensitive dogs with many being sound, motion, and/or space sensitive. Because of these sensitivities, they do not fair well in confined, loud areas and could shutdown or being overly aroused. They need to be active to release the energy and taught calming skills.

The confinement can also have the effect in a dog to cause him to look as though he is 'bouncing off the wall' Many of these depressed or aroused behaviors disappear when the dogs are placed in foster homes. Many herding dogs are deemed unadoptable by shelters, or they do not show well if they are placed on the adoption floor. Many are returned when they are improperly matched with family lifestyles that cannot provide for the needs of these active dogs."

The dogs in this rescue organization come from many different sources - shelters that contact them, owners who can no longer care for their dogs, other rescue groups that are full, as well as volunteers and individuals throughout the midwest visiting or working in shelters and see a dog in need. The North Star Border Collie Rescue actively watches for herding dogs in need.

As with most rescue groups, there are always stories that stay in their hearts and remind the volunteers why they do what they do. Jack, a Border Collie/Retriever mix, was tied out for the first ten months of his life. As he grew, his collar became tighter and eventually embedded into his neck. He was waiting to be euthanized on New Years Eve in MO. North Star Border Collie Rescue pulled him into rescue when no other rescue would take him and began an eighteen hour relay to his new foster home as well as the slow progress of physically and mentally healing him from his neglect.

Dusty, a purebred Border Collie, was left at nine years old in a shelter when her owner passed away. They thought she would be adopted but the sad truth is that the older dogs typically don’t get adopted. On her last day at the shelter, North Star Border Collie Rescue pulled her and her foster mom fell in love with her and adopted her.

Molly, Australian Shepherd/ German Shepherd mix, was only 4 months old and was listed a few days before she was to be euthanized at a small rural shelter. North Star Border Collie Rescue had a volunteer in northwest Ohio drive to southern Indiana to pick up one tiny puppy that had only a few more hours and drive her back towards northern Michigan to her foster home.

Many of their dogs are pulled in their last hours. It is the dedication of the group of North Star Border Collie Rescue volunteers that has saved many dogs. Their volunteers have driven many hours and miles all for the safety of one puppy or dog with sad eyes that wouldn't see tomorrow without that one person caring. Every little thing they do makes life better for one more dog.

As their organization grows because more dogs are in need of homes, so does their need for money for proper vet care, supplies, foster homes and volunteers. They are also looking for an affordable place to hold seminars on training and dog ownership. If you are interested in finding out more about this rescue organization or would like to learn how to adopt one of their dogs, please click here.

Here are a few of their dogs up for adoption:

Bear (above) is an Bear Australian Shepherd. He is a 3 year old male purebred red miniature aussie. Bear is neutered, good with dogs and cats. Click here for more about him.

Kriket (above) is a 1 year old purebred Australian Shepherd. She is a mostly black and white blue merle with just a few patches of brown on her. She was pulled from a shelter in Kentucky where she was scheduled to be euthanized. Click here for more about her.

Cats on a Leash?

I the past, people mostly had indoor-outdoor cats. But those cats seemed to live shorter lives because of disease and other outside threats. Cat owners started keeping their cats inside where they would be safe and easily monitored. However, many cats still yearn for the great outdoors. My own cats, Neelix and Ali, often sit in the windows during the summer and in front of the patio's screen door when the dog is out playing. Part of the attraction is the birds, but they also like to soak in the wind and the sunshine.

What's a person to do when they want to keep their cat safe and still accommodate their cat's wishes to be outside? Lori Fasi has found an answer for her situation - a cat on a leash. She has two cats who love their walks - six year old Zghira (pronounced Zyra) who is gray and white, and six year old Maximus, a gray tiger with a big white tip on the end of his tail that he proudly displays when walking.

Lori originally felt guilty that she kept her cats indoors all the time, so in order for them to get some sun and fresh air, she started walking them. Cat walking is not easy, however. It takes time and patience. She started them out when they were very young with a good harness and retractable leash. Lori walks her cats primarily around her own yard but they also head out towards the street and one of the cats will walk around one of the neighborhood blocks. If Lori comes across a dog while walking her cats, Zghira will let the dogs come right up to her but Maximus will run the other way and then follow the dog when there is a safe distance between them.

Maximus is a cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with cancer when he just turned one and went through chemo and radiation. He is a real miracle. Going outside was always his big treat when he was going through his cancer treatments. Lori adopted both cats from the local Humane Society. She saw their photos online and it was love at first sight. She's had both cats since they were about five months old. She adopted Zghira first and then Maximus about six months later.

Both cats come running when they see the leash, however Maximus won't go outside very long in the winter time. Zghira will sit at the door and meow like a dog because she would rather go to the bathroom outside than in a litter box. If Lori doesn't respond immediately, Zghira will find her and continue to meow until demand is satisfied. Winter weather doesn't phase her at all.

Critics of cat walking say that it might make your cat become a "door darter" once they get the itch to go outdoors. You also have to remember that you cannot always control the environment so be ready if something comes up that might freak your cat out.

That said, cat walking seems like a good way to stimulate your cats, keep them fit and allow them to be out in nature. As with anything that involves your own pets, it's a personal decision based on where you live, your cats and your own situation.

Since I have a fenced in yard and one cat who is quite easy-going and adaptable to change, I might try walking Neelix this summer. The one thing I know for sure is that once he gets a taste of it, he'll be crying at the screen door all the time!

For more information on training your cat to walk on a leash, please click here.

Best Friends Heads to Haiti

Click here to follow the progress being made for animals in Haiti.

The 6th Annual Snowmobile Fun Run to Benefit the AuSable Valley Animal Shelter is January 30th

Everyone is invited to enjoy a day on the trails while helping the shelter’s homeless dogs and cats. Please see our calendar section for more info. on this event.

24 Hour Emergency Vet Clinic to Open in April

The grand opening of Traverse City's first 24 hour emergency vet clinic is tentatively planned to open on April 1st on Front Street. The new clinic will bring state of the art emergency and trauma care during off business hours, weekends and holidays. To read a previous article about the clinic, please click here.

Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2009

With various dangers lurking in corners and cabinets, the home can be a minefield of poisons for our pets. In 2009, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL, handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic substances, many of which included everyday household products. Don’t leave it up to Fido or Fluffy to keep themselves safe. Click here for a list of the top 10 pet poisons that affected our furry friends in 2009.

Help Stop the Euthanization of Two Pit Bulls in Crawford County by Signing this Petition

Click here to sign the petition. For an update on the story out of Crawford County, please click here.

AuSable Valley Animal Shelter is Recipient in H&R Block's Corporate Charitable Giving Program

For the second year, H&R Block has invited the Animal Shelter of Crawford County (doing business as AuSable Valley Animal Shelter) to be a recipient in its corporate charitable giving program. In 2009, the shelter received $1,200 from H&R Block to help feed and care for all the dogs and cats at the shelter.

Click here for a coupon for you to print out and cut in half: One for you and one for a family member or friend. Print out as many as you like and distribute them at work, church, your place of business and anywhere else you think will help. These coupons can be used at ANY H&R Block office ANYWHERE in the USA! For every coupon redeemed, our shelter will receive a $25 donation from H&R Block. You have nothing to lose and the animals have everything to gain!

SwingShift and the Stars Fundraiser Makes $4,212.21 for Cherryland Humane Society

Over $80,000 dollars was raised this year for area charities, thanks to the SwingShift and the Stars event. This amount is double what was raised from the 2008 event.

Dancers Rich Nadeau and Liz Reincke were dancing in support of the Cherryland Humane Society and raised a total of $4,212.21, finishing in sixth place. They are both pictured above with CHS Executive Director, Mike Cherry.

You can checkout the website here for more information.

Photo credit: Mike Drilling of Windborne Photographic Studios

Discounted Adoption Rates for Seniors

Purina Pets for Seniors program has once again invited AuSable Valley Animal Shelter to help its adopters, age 60 and older, with a $50 discount on adoption fees. They are happy to be able to offer this discount for the 4th year in a row! Please pass on this news to a "seasoned citizen" in your life who may be looking for a new best friend! You can check out their website here.

Little Traverse Bay Humane Society 2010
Pet Calendar & Planner
is Now Available

Calendars can be purchased for $25.00 by calling the shelter at (231) 347-2396 or emailing Ann Marie Tingleff here. Shipping costs in the USA are $2.00 per calendar.

You can also purchase the calendars at the following Harbor Springs locations:

• Little Traverse Bay Humane Society
• Bearcub Outfitters
• Finishing Touch
• Harbor's Signature Salon
• Living Well Gourmet Pet Eatery
• MacGregor's Pet Pantry
• Monarch Garden & Floral
• The Flatiron Deli
• The Outfitter
• Toski Sands Market
• Savoir Faire

2009 State Animal Protection Laws Rankings:
Michigan in the Top Five

In December, the Animal Legal Defense Fund announced the release of its fourth annual report ranking the animal protection laws of every state and territory of the U.S.A. based on their relative strength and general comprehensiveness.

Michigan is in the top five because of its felony penalties for cruelty, its definitions and standards of basic care, its range of statutory protections for most animals, its strong animal fighting provisions, and other effective laws.

Click here for more info.

Peaches Needs a Home

Peaches the cat has been living under sheds and someone has taken her in temporary. The caretaker of Peaches has a child who is allergic to cats so they cannot keep her. Peaches at appears to get along well with the other children and is very good natured. If you are interested in having a new kitty friend in your house, please call Suzanne Weiler with In Home Hugs at 231-933-0417.

Diamond Pet Foods Announces Recall of Premium Edge Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball Cat Food

On September 23, Diamond Pet Foods issued a voluntary recall for Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball cat because they have the potential to produce Thiamine Deficiency. Today’s announcement provides additional information from the company’s posted announcement of September 23 when the initial recall information was provided. Click here for more info.

Doggie Daycare - What Its All About
by Diane Russell

I look out my livingroom window into the expanse of my back yard. I see two or three dogs racing across the far back area. I might see a couple puppies stalking each other or playing tug-a-war with a rope or what’s left of a stuffed animal. What is most fun to watch is the area around the picnic table. Over the years the dogs have carved a two-foot deep moat used as a racetrack around the table complete with tunnels under it.

They play “catch me if you can” at high speeds, then jump up on the table to declare themselves “king of the castle.” Sometimes a younger one under the table tries to join in and even succeeds for awhile before ducking back in. Someone eventually takes a water break and collapses in the shade of the house or under the Maple in the middle of the yard. The others follow.

Later, I see someone digging for something (Errr! Oh well, that’s fun too.), or a few are moving around the yard checking out stuff or wrestling with a willing partner. Sometimes they sit together looking out at the scenery.

When they start looking into the basement window or slider, I let them in for their nap. They’re excited to see me, but are more than happy to run into their crate and receive a treat. They’re out like a light and all is quiet.

After their naps, it starts all over again. Even though they have a wonderful time here, they seem to know about when their owner will be picking them up, and they are very happy to see her/him.

Owners tell me how nice it is to have their dog come home tired. They’ve have had a busy day too, and couldn’t possibly duplicate the exercise and socialization that their dog had. Even owners who don’t work, bring their dog for a more stimulating day.

Unfortunately, some dog owners feel they have to get rid of their dog because he’s just too much to handle or has behavioral problems. Exercise cures a LOT of problems. It is so satisfying for me to provide a more fulfilling day for each of my daycare dogs. I love this job!

Quotes from a few customers:

“My wildly exuberant rescue dog, Ellie, attends doggy daycare three times per week. The large fenced area at Diane’s Doggie Daycare & Training allows Ellie to run and play until she exhausts herself (a necessity for her well being)! During our time with Diane, I’ve come to understand that humans can only teach dogs so much—some things dogs must learn directly from other dogs. The environment Diane provides encourages sociable play—but is controlled and safe. Ellie loves being there! Having Ellie with Diane has been a blessing and has made dog-ownership a truly joyful experience.”
Cynthia Johnson, Interlochen

“My dog, Piper, a one and a half year old English Setter, has been going to Diane’s Doggie Daycare for about a year. What I like best is that she loves to go. She can’t wait to get out of the car! Diane is careful about the dogs she allows to come and introduces them slowly to one another before they’re allowed to play. Because Diane takes a small number of dogs, she can keep good track of what’s going on and is able to have enough space in her basement, (which opens to the huge fenced yard) to give the dogs rest time in crates and x-pens. I feel Piper is well taken care of when she is at Diane’s Doggie Daycare, and that makes me a very happy dog owner.”
Ann Schoelles, Cedar

“I can’t say enough good things about Diane and her doggie daycare. I have an 11 month old German Shepherd with lots of energy. Having a high drive dog like this means she needs to spend that energy in some way. She gets the exercise, socialization and manner training rolled into one day. She comes home very happy and content. It makes it a wonderful evening with her at home. I don’t think (other than training) I could have done anything better to develop her into a well rounded pet.”
Mark Gentry, Traverse City

You can contact Diane Russell with Diane's Doggie Daycare & Training by calling 231-943-0559.

Great Photos!

PupeLuv Rescue in Michigan really knows how to make their pets sparkle and shine.

Click here to check out their animal pics. The "adopted" photos are also a great idea!

Training Tips from
In Home Canine Solutions

POTTY TRAINING...

When potty training Fido (especially puppies) every time Fido eats, drinks, wakes up, after excessive playing, or has been up for 30-45 minutes, take your dog outside to go to the bathroom.

Take Fido outside on a leash every time it’s potty time until he is trained. Don't let Fido run loose in the yard. If you do he will just go outside and play and not go to the bathroom.

Always take Fido to the same area in the yard. When he sniffs old waste, it reminds him to take care of business.

On your way to take Fido outside, ask Fido "go outside". When you get outside, keep saying "take a break" or "go potty".

When Fido goes potty, give your dog praise or a treat for doing it outside.

If Fido has an accident in the house, DON’T rub his nose in it! This teaches Fido nothing.

All dogs will show you some sort of sign that they're getting ready to go the bathroom. For example, he may start sniffing the carpet in the corner. It is your job to learn these signs, and when you see them, take Fido outside.

SOCIALIZATION...

You want to get Fido used to as many different locations as possible. Take Fido to the park, walk around town, or go to the pet store. You want to get Fido used to crowds of people.

After Fido is doing well in public, start taking him to social events. When you first arrive, don't rush right over to a crowd of people. Gradually work your way over, allowing Fido time to get comfortable with the new environment. County fairs and community events are great places to socialize your dog.

Pet Photo Book Contest Winners

Bark Avenue Press (www.bapit.com), the publisher for pet lovers, announced the pet photo book contest winners in its Dog Days of Summer promotion. BAPit has posted flip books of the winning photo book designs here.

While I was on their website, I noticed some great dog breed calendars. You can check out that link here. I'm also pretty sure that the Traverse City Petsmart and the calendar store (kiosk) in the Grand Traverse Mall carries quite a lot of the breed specific calendars.

Dogs Welcoming Home Soldiers

Here are some good videos I came across recently. Click here.

What is Michigan's Law on the Spaying and Neutering of Shelter Pets?

According to Section 287.338a of PET SHOPS, DOG POUNDS, AND ANIMAL SHELTERS Act 287 of 1969, a shelter "shall not permit a person to adopt a dog, cat, or ferret that has not been altered, unless that person has entered into a contract for the alteration of the dog, cat, or ferret with the animal control shelter or animal protection shelter." The animal has to be altered within a four week period. Click here for more specific info. on the law.

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Networking With Other Animal People in Michigan

Do you want to connect with other dog and cat lovers in Michigan? Check out the Michigan link for Best Friends Animal Society by clicking here.

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