During the recent rains I found myself at the East Valley animal shelter. I had seen a dog online and wanted to see him in person. I do a lot of rescue work and he seemed really cute and adoptable but I couldn’t find him at the shelter. I asked the workers who told me that he had two broken legs and was in the medical holding area. I asked to see him, he was laying there with two broken legs and a broken hip and he lifted his head up and kissed my hand and my face. I thought how sad it was that this perfectly good, sweet, loving dog was more than likely going to be put to sleep. Who would adopt a dog that needed such medical care and possibly surgery. I went home.

I thought about Quark all night, I woke up at 5 am and thought about him some more. By 9 am I couldn’t get him out of my head so I made some calls to some of my animal loving friends to see if anyone would be willing to donate money toward his medical care. I was laid off a year ago and am living on unemployment and I knew I just didn’t have the funds available to give this guy the medical attention that he needed. I posted it on facebook. People started donating, actress and animal lover Janeane Garofalo donated a sizable chunk on the spot.

I went to the shelter, picked up Quark and took him straight to the vet. The news wasn’t good, he was going to need surgery. Pins to help hold his broken hip in place. “Go for it” I told the animal hospital and I put it on my credit card. I’m still working toward coming up with the rest to cover the $2800 medical bill but I’m confident that we are going to make it. People have been so kind. I feel bad asking for money to save a dog with all the suffering in Haiti, but you know what, this little guy needs help too. He’s a very happy go lucky guy.

Nothing slows him down, not the stitches in his left leg and not the cast on his right leg. He runs around my apartment as if he hasn’t a care in the world and I’m glad. He has no idea how close he came to being one of the hundreds of thousands of animals put to sleep in American Animal Shelters every year. Now he’s a different kind of statistic. He’s one of the ones that got saved. After he heals my friends at the Animal Advocates Alliance have offered to help me find him a good home which should be no problem. He’s full of kisses and just wants someone he can follow around and lay on the sofa with. He’s a happy/sad reminder of what happens to so many animals every day in our animal shelters… except his story will have a happy ending. I’m going to personally make sure that happens.

According to Blogs.com

1. Celebrity Dog Watcher

2. Dog Bliss

3. Dog Blog

4. Pet Connection

5. Dogster‘s For The Love Of Dog Blog

6. Funny Dog Blog

7. It’s The Dog’s Life

8. Pop Dog Blog

9. Pup Life Dog Blog

10. Raise A Green Dog

From PawNation.com

Nubbins is a kitten who was born without hind feed. His litter mates found homes, but so far no one has adopted “Nubbins” who was surrendered to the MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center. Nubbins spent several weeks in foster care and learned to walk on his little nubs.

Nubbins is now looking for a permanent home. The home must be fully carpeted to support his tender little nubs and Nubbins is gonna require lots of visits to the vet as he grows but workers remain hopeful that he will find a loving home.

Check out this awesome video of little Nubbins.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-UrTZRGhsA&feature=player_embedded

I got my Animal Advocates Alliance coffee cup and book bag today. I love them. I highly recommend getting some cool Animal Advocates Alliance Merchandise on Cafe Press – click here to see our online store: Animal Advocates Store

Check out my super sweet book bag and coffee mug! I love it! I feel so cool now. I’m going to use the bag for my knitting.

Last year The Humane Society of Utah found homes for nearly 4,000 dogs. What does that mean? That means that for the first time EVER not one adoptable dog was euthanized at the Utah Humane Society all year long. It took them a decade to reach their goal of eliminating euthanasia of healthy adoptable cats and dogs. It took a lot of work. Foster homes and rescue groups had to get involved, helping the society to reach their goal with dogs in 2009. Now they are working to reach the same goal with cats. The Humane Society of Utah turns 50 this year. Happy Birthday!

So you made your annual New Year’s Resolution to lose weight… get fit… exercise… But what about your dog? He/She needs exercise too so it’s time you both get in shape.

Here are some exercise tips from the Purina website so that you can ease your pup into his/her new exercise routine…

Exercising with your dog not only strengthens the bond you two share, it also helps control his weight and maintain a healthy heart, lungs and muscles.

As you exercise with your dog, consider his needs and present physical condition. Leisurely walks may be best for an older dog while a young dog has ample energy for a vigorous exercise program.

If your dog has more energy to expend than you do, teach him to fetch a ball or a flying disc. The activity may be just right for you and a challenging exercise for your dog.

If, for whatever reason, you have not exercised your dog regularly and decide to launch a regular exercise program, go slow at first. Begin with short periods of activity at slow speeds and gradually increase the time, speed and distance.

Begin walking or running your dog on soft surfaces such as dirt, sand or grass until its pads toughen.

Keeping your dog on a leash gives you control when walking or running.

Avoid exercising your dog immediately before or after he’s eaten. A full stomach may cause digestive upsets. Provide only small amounts of water before and directly after exercise.

Weather conditions are an important consideration as you exercise your pet. Dogs can suffer from frostbite and heat stroke just as people do. If you walk your dog in the snow, be sure to wipe the paw pads to remove any snow and ice buildup or possible salt that may have gotten caught. Remember that your dog’s feet can be damaged by hot asphalt during the summer.

If you walk your dog in wooded areas during the summer, check his eyes, haircoat and feet for foxtail, seeds and dirt. Also check carefully for ticks. Dogs with short, smooth haircoats may require the warmth of a dog coat or sweater when they go outside during cold weather.

Check with local authorities to find out what local laws allow. Your police department or animal control department can tell you more about laws in your municipality.

As you walk your dog, train him to walk at your side to help control him so he won’t jump on children, other dogs or adults, frightening them or possibly injuring them.

If your dog has a history of medical problems, work with your veterinarian to plan an appropriate exercise program. Whatever exercise program you pursue, remember that your dog loves to spend time with you and you can make that time special.

It’s no secret that animals teach us how to love and love more that we ever thought possible. So if one of your resolutions is to love, or learn to love more why not adopt a pet and fill your new year and decade with even more love than before. It’s the one way to guarantee that the next year is better than the last.

It’s a fail proof resolution!

Zhu Zhu Pets are the must-have item of the 2009 holiday shopping season. It’s officially the future and your kid can have robot animals to take care of instead of the real thing if you like.

Stores can’t keep these little suckers on the shelves. Everyone wants one. What is a Zhu Zhu Pet? It’s a fuzzy hamster toy that makes sounds. The sound of teeth-brushing in the bathroom and sleeping sounds in the bedroom. The little creatures also squeak when petted on the nose.

These little electronic hamsters usually sell for $10 bucks but demand is forcing prices up. People are selling them for up to $60 a pop. Parents just gotta have this toy for their kids.

You can also get a Zhu Zhu hamster funhouse for about $80 bucks on Amazon.com.

A Veinna zoo has given a digital camera to one of their orangutans. Every time Nonja takes a picture the camera dispenses a raisin. Then those photos are posted to her facebook account.

The zoo gave her the Samsung ST 1000. This camera has a point-and-shoot feature that automatically uploads the pictures to her facebook account.

The “must have” item of the holiday season is the SleepyPod Air. It’s the latest thing in luxury airline travel for your small pets. It’s solid design, sharp looks and plush luxury inner lining makes it the ultimate happy place for your pet to travel in. Wide side pockets are perfect for travel paper work. It’s light weight and easy to carry around and also features a slot that helps secure the SleepyPod Air to your roller luggage for easy passage through the airport and to your destination. You’ve gotta go to their website and check it out.

If you’re looking for a travel carrier… look no further!