Thanks to the eye-opening investigations into circus animal cruelty conducted by Animal Defenders International, domestic and exotic animals may no longer be used in circuses in Bolivia.  The legislation took effect on July 1, 2009 and circus operators have been given one year to comply with the ban, which states that the use of animals in circuses is “an act of cruelty.”  ADI will continue to work with the Bolivian government to ensure that the animals currently being used in Bolivian circuses will not be killed as a result of the legislation. Read full text of story HERE.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2009/07/31/2009-07-31_miracle_dog_survives_sixstory_fall_after_heartless_owner_throws_her_off_red_hook.html

Well guys, this is why we do what we do. This sweet 1 year old terrier mix was thrown off the roof of a 6 story building by a 19 year old man. The police got several calls that someone was beating a dog on the 3rd floor, and then a few minutes later the calls changed to reports that someone had just thrown a dog off the roof of the building. Fabian Henderson was busted on Friday for Cruelty to Animals. His 41 year old mother told the Daily News that she had never seen the dog before, and that she doesn’t believe her son did it. Of course she doesn’t believe it. Who would want to believe their son threw a helpless dog off of a 6 story building? It’s easier to deny it happened than to deal with the anger and rage issues that lay beneath such a ferocious and violent attack. This is the kind of stuff that serial killers do in their youth. They torture and kill animals and then in later years… people. I hope that this man gets a thorough psychological evaluation and that sweet “Oreo” the dog gets some kind of justice, hopefully in the form of a kind loving home.

So when you are busy, and you feel like you’re neglecting your pets a little bit, forgive yourself. Give them a big old hug and a kiss and a snack and tell yourself you’re doing a good job. We may not all be perfect pet owners, all we can do is our best. Give them love and walks and treats, forgive their mistakes and do your best to relate to them. The alternatives can be a lot worse.

I do a lot of online reading and research and have come across some dog magazines that don’t feel like something you’d find in a doctors office. Most dog magazines seem to be a lot of advertisements and an article and a few cute pictures but here are some magazines you might actually enjoy… online or in the mail! Your choice!

The Bark

A magazine about life with dogs – written for readers who appreciate its motto, “dog is my co-pilot.” Topics explore behavior & health; recreation & travel, culture & community; art & literature – plus great cartoons. All packaged in eye-catching, stylish design. If you love dogs, you will dig Bark.

Fido Friendly

Fido Friendly Magazine is The Travel Magazine For You & Your Dog, and the one magazine your dog will thank you for! Each issue is packed full of travel destinations that welcome Fido as well as fun and informative articles pertaining to: Diary of Dog Chef, Fido Friendly Hotel and City reviews & more.

Modern Dog

The best dog articles. The hottest dog trends. The coolest dog magazine. Featuring the best dog accessories, exclusive celebrity interviews, dog-centric art, dog-friendly travel destinations, top trainers, dog psychology, puppy problem solving, home entertaining how-to, breed profiles, and more!

Gidget, the cute little Taco Bell chihuahua from all those “Yo quiero Taco Bell” ads died of a stroke at 15. I can’t help but think of all the little chihuahua’s I see at the animal shelter every time I go, because someone saw this commercial and felt they needed to go out and get their kid a little golden chihuahua just like the Taco Bell dog. It’s not Gidget’s fault, it’s ours. What is it about us that makes us see a movie like Beethoven and run out and get a puppy that’s going to grow into a 200 lb dog that we will never take care of for it’s entire life span? The same thing happens every easter with bunnies, people go get their kids pet bunnies and then dump them at the shelter a year later when the child loses interest. Or Dalmations, people saw 101 Dalmations and then the market for Dalmation puppies went through the roof.

I think we need to learn to admire cute animals, but learn that we don’t need to own every cute animal we see. If you are inspired by a movie, book, or TV show to get a pet, it’s probably not the best idea. Remember, dogs live for 10 – 18 years. That’s quite a commitment. When you run out and buy a little yellow chihuahua because you saw one in a commercial you create a market for back yard breeders. If you want a cute little chihuahua I suggest you go to a shelter. There are so many there. So many people got one when they saw this commercial and now they’re being put to sleep by the dozen in shelters across the country.

So if you want to honor Gidget’s passing, I say you go down to your local animal shelter and get yourself a cute little golden chihuahua. The shelters are full of them.

Hi my name is Reggie (previously Herbie). I was rescued from the Camarillo shelter on my last day of safety and placed into a foster home (not sure why we only get so few days to stay alive but I will leave that to you humans to try and answer).  The foster family advertised me on Craigslist as “Herbie is going bananas for a new home,” which I was!  These very nice people, Kory and Cassie replied and once they met me they fell in love – I knew that would happen. They decided to name me Reggie and I now have a new brother named Tobi and we are the best of friends. I found this note that my family wrote about me:

“Reggie is just a perfect dog. We really really adore having him in our family!  He is so sweet and loves to play with Tobi he loves chewing on his toys and other things haha.  He is a super loving dog who always wants you to scratch his neck or behind.  He always comes up to us and puts his head in our lap then climbs up to sit with us.  He is just a super smart and loving dog and we could not be happier. We don’t know what we did before we had him.  He just adds so much laughter and joy to our lives and he is the funniest dog I have ever met. He also has learned many new tricks while spending time with us and our very trained Tobi.  He now knows sit, down, high five, shake, stay, roll over, stand, jump, wait, leave it, and probably more.  He is so easy to train with treats and he loves learning.”

So see I ROCK! And so do many of my other friends still at the shelter. I worry about them so please find it in your heart to rescue them and you’ll see how great your life will become. Got to go play now!

Nearly 10 months after Hurricane Ike separated Daizey, a four-year old Blue Lacy, from her family, she was reunited with her family due in part to Daizey’s family and friends never giving up hope. To read the full story please click HERE.

We join the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in reminding everyone that leaving an animal in a hot car is not just inhumane and dangerous but a CRIME! see penal code section 597.7 which reads in part: “No person shall leave or confine an animal in any unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of an animal due to heat, cold, lack of adequate ventilation, or lack of food or water, or other circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause suffering, disability, or death to the animal.” Please remind others and report this crime immediately! Many thanks to Deputy District Attorney Deborah Knaan, who supervises the prosecution of all animal cruelty and neglect cases for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, for leading this extremely important campaign.

Through the help of Animal Advocates Alliance and Dawg Squad, Bryce, a wonderful Pit Bull, was rescued from the Baldwin Park shelter by Stacy, an absolutely fantastic person who will love him for ever! Here is what Bryce had to say about the rescue in his own words!

Ok so we came home from the shelter and it was so cool because I got to run, and run, and run some more. Then Stacy brought out this squeeky ball that I thought was just sooo much fun! Then she put me in the pool which I wasn’t too sure of, but the second time she did it I pushed off the ramp and swam!!!! It felt so good because it was so hot out. Then came the not so fun part, the bath!!! Does she say you have to have them too so you won’t be smelly? Well I was a good boy and let her get me all clean. Then we got to play with the tug! Although she would not tug on it, she just through it for me to run and fetch. I think she is kinda lazy making me do all the running. Speaking of running…she took me for a run with her sitting on her bike (see lazy) and me running. It felt so good to get all that extra frustration out from being stuck at the shelter for so long. Then I got to have some food. She thought I was silly because I ran to my food and had to knock it over before I ate it. I am having so much fun. Please give my other friends still at the shelter a chance at a life like this. We love you humans and just want to hang out and play and are so confused when we get left behind at the shelter or not considered at adoption events. LOOK AT ME NOW PEOPLE!!! – I LOVE YOU STACY!!!

Okay, so you’ve all heard the phrase “dog days of summer” but where did it come from? It is used to describe the hottest and muggiest part of the summer, but why?????

I did a little research and found out that in ancient times, different groups of people all around the world would use the stars to create images in the sky which we all know as constellations.

They saw images of bears, (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor), twins, (Gemini), a bull, (Taurus), and others, including dogs, (Canis Major and Canis Minor).

The brightest of the stars in Canis Major (the big dog) is Sirius, which also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky. In fact, it is so bright that the ancient Romans thought that the earth received heat from it. Look for it in the southern sky (viewed from northern latitudes) during January.

In the summer, however, Sirius, the “dog star,” rises and sets with the sun. During late July Sirius is in conjunction with the sun, and the ancients believed that its heat added to the heat of the sun, creating a stretch of hot and sultry weather. They named this period of time, from 20 days before the conjunction to 20 days after, “dog days” after the dog star.

You learn something new every day.