Our family cat-a-blog

From our home to yours...

2011-12-31T18:47:00.000-05:00

Be sure to turn off the music on your right. We promise that you will love every minute of this little video!

One - imPAWtant - word...

2011-12-23T09:03:00.002-05:00

PLEASE don't forget our FURends who need us - PLEASE

2011-12-20T09:40:00.000-05:00

Our economy is horrible. Many of us are without a job and worry about how we'll pay next month's bills. It's difficult to imagine how we will care for ourselves, let alone give to charity. But, it doesn't take money to make someone's Christmas brighter, warmer or better. Volunteer at your local animal shelter. Donate a bag of kitty litter (generic). Take a shelter dog for a walk. Brush a shelter kitty and listen to it's gentle purr. Many shelters allow pets up for adoption to spend the holidays with a 'foster family'.

I've barely touched on the many things we can do for animals that are less fortunate than ours. PLEASE don't forget them - they need you more at this time of year when many do not have adequate shelter and need extra kibble to generate the body heat that will keep them alive throughout the cold, winter months.

PURRecious GINGER JASPER needs the POWER of the PAW

2011-12-02T09:31:00.002-05:00

We must all gather 'round dear Ginger Jasper to hold him close with the POWER of the PAW.

☺Happy Thanksgiving to all of our FURends far and wide☺

2011-11-24T10:38:00.000-05:00

Re-cycle, re-use, re-purpose, re-l♥ve

2011-11-10T09:08:00.000-05:00

Help outside kitties stay warm and cozy this winter!

2011-11-07T09:32:00.001-05:00

Winter is just around the corner. Do you know of an outside kitty that could use a little paw-up to keep warm when the cold winds blow? Do you have a feral kitty living in your yard? You feed him and love him but he just won't come inside - no matter how bad the weather gets? Do you know of a rescue that is supporting a feral colony?

I don't think I've ever come upon anything as useful and as clever as these winter homes for kitties. If you belong to a rescue group wouldn't it be fun to have a 'work bee' one evening and make a bunch of these for the homeless kitties you know? They'd also be a super fund-raiser for an animal charitable group.

For those of us that are not handy or don't know anyone that is handy with power tools this is a fast, easy and cheap way to help the homeless kitties make it through the winter.

Fast and functional, this is an innovative idea, costing around $30.00, less if you can find some pieces in yard sales and second-hand shops. Finding one plastic bin to fit inside another is the most challenging part of this project. One container should fit inside the other with room still left for polystyrene.

The inner box is an 18 gallon Rubbermaid 'Roughneck Tote' - Lowe's part number: 44894 - cost $5.00. The outer box is a 35 gallon Rubbermaid 'Latching Tote' that is a bit more difficult to find - Lowe's part number: 212261 - cost $15.00. In addition, 1 inch polystyrene sheets - cost of about $10.00 for a total of about $30.00 depending on your product sources.

If you have difficulty cutting the durable plastic, blew hot air from a hairdryer on the area where you wish to cut. The plastic will 'cut like butter'.

For additional warmth from the winter winds, consider surrounding the shelter with bails of straw. Homes insulated with 18 inch wide bails of straw can save up to 75% on heating & cooling costs. Just think what that could do for the cats!

Place shelters where they will be protected from wind and snow drifts -- particularly those without protective flaps over the door(s) -- otherwise snow could blow in and bury or trap the cats. If there are fixed objects, such as buildings in your feral cat shelter area, pay attention to the way the winds tend to circulate, and place the shelters where there is the least amount of blowing & drifting snow. This could be a lifesaver, particularly for those who endure extreme winter weather, where roads may be impassable for 1-2 days.

Depending on predators and other animals or hazards in your area, some cats may not use shelters unless there are two exits -- one for them to sneak out should another unwanted animal enter. Consider an emergency exit with a flap that opens from the inside only.

Happy building! I know that the outside kitties will be so thankful for their cozy homes.

Autumn in northern Michigan - food for the ♥ and soul

2011-10-12T07:54:00.000-04:00

We interrupt our blog FUR a public service announcement

2011-09-29T10:46:00.000-04:00

♥Ooo la-la, French kittens having the time of their lives♥

2011-09-05T10:02:00.002-04:00

You have probably forgotten more of your high school French than you remember but you won't need a translator for you to smile and fall in l♥ve with these adorable kittens. What a clever commercial. (Be sure to turn off my music to the right on my sidebar to completely enjoy this sweet video.)

♥Let's all stand up and give a few head-butts to ML♥

2011-09-02T17:07:00.003-04:00

For all she does and all she gives, we hope that this weekend ML will sip a little 'nip, listen to a few purrs, circle in her favorite blankie, enjoy a few head-butts and relax.

WE DID IT! We are imPAWtant and THEY know it!

2011-08-27T14:06:00.000-04:00

We did it, fellow canines and felines and tweeters and crawlers. WE DID IT! NYC transit has recognized (something that we always knew) that we are imPAWtant to our famblies. Read the LAST LINE!

♥The sweet Miss Peach has completed her Circle of Life♥

2011-08-24T01:46:00.001-04:00

We haven't been bloggin' much this summer and know that we have missed mucho news. Tonight momma went to visit some bloggys and found out that darling Miss Peach has completed her Circle of Life. No words can justly tell of our sadness when we heard of her passing. It's not good-bye, Miss Peach, it's, "...see you again."

The beautiful and gentle Miss Peach

Short, sweet and to the point. DO IT!

2011-08-11T08:52:00.000-04:00

If you read nothing else today, READ THIS and DO SOMETHING!

2011-07-14T10:48:00.000-04:00

Gracie a 16 year old feral cat being forced from the only home shes known needs your help, be a voice for the voiceless!
by SICAW (Staten Island Council For Animal Welfare Inc.) on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at 12:48am

SHARE THIS STORY WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW!

This is an emergency.

A cat has been living – outdoors – on the campus of Snug Harbor Cultural Center, the jewel of the cultural community of Staten Island, for 16 years. She is herself the daughter of a cat who lived and died on the Snug Harbor campus.
Years ago, some of the tenants of the Harbor paid to have her spayed, vaccinated, etc., and they have been feeding her and paying for necessary veterinary care ever since. They named her “Gracie.”

Gracie is rarely seen during the day, and when approached tends to run away. Nobody has complained about her presence on the campus in 16 years. And we all know that a 16 year old feral cat does not have too many winters left in her; nor can she be domesticated at this point in her life.

Sadly, the management of Snug Harbor has decided, out of the goodness of their hearts, that Gracie must go, and this week they hosed down her hiding place and threw away her food and water bowls. The concerned tenants are terrified that they will trap Gracie and deliver this old, feral cat to CACC, where she will almost certainly be put down – or that they will drive Gracie away from the only home she has ever known. If they do, at her advanced age she will certainly be lost, bewildered, and unable to fend for herself, and will likely starve to death.

WE NEED LETTERS TO THE ADVANCE, COMPLAINING ABOUT SNUG HARBOR’S CRUELTY TO AN OLD, HARMLESS CAT. WE NEED YOU TO GET YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS TO WRITE, TOO. AND YOU MUST SEND A COPY TO THE CEO OF SNUG HARBOR, LYNN KELLY.

ALSO, CALL & EMAIL LYNN KELLY, at 718 425-3501, her email is lkelly@snug-harbor.org

LET HER KNOW THAT YOU ARE GOING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE HARBOR’S CRUELTY ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE, AND ON TWITTER. THREATEN NEVER TO COME TO ANOTHER EVENT AT THE HARBOR, AND THREATEN TO WRITE LETTERS TO OUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER, THE STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE.

CONTACT THE STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

You can also contact NY1 News, the run a Staten Island specific report and let them know the cruelty happening at Snug Harbor!

CONTACT NY1 NEWS

Thank you to every one who gives a voice to Gracie! Together we can ensure that old Gracie gets to live out the rest of her life in peace and dignity.

Original Message from Lila Levey

Think about it, then DO IT!

2011-07-07T09:07:00.000-04:00

It's National Animal Rights Awareness Week! Tell someone that you l♥ve them...

2011-06-20T10:25:00.002-04:00

“It is written in our own hearts - more clearly than in any book - that we should take pity on animals in the same way as we do on humans." ~ Leo Tolstoy

This week take your dog for one more walk. Play with your cat one more time. Volunteer at your local animal shelter one more day. Tickle the tummy of your hamster or guinea pig one more minute. Sing to your bird one more song.

It takes such little time, and so little of our resources, to enrich and enhance the lives of those wonderful animals that grace our days and nights with their presence, affection and devotion. This week when you look at those furry and feathered family members of yours, tell them you l♥ve them one more time and then when you have done that - do it again and again and again. Because - after all - they'd do no less for you.

Wanna help animals in need? Nominate someone for the PETTIES!

2011-06-17T08:29:00.002-04:00

WOWZA! We know of several dog and cat bloggys that we truly admire. They are easy to navigate, consistent in posting (not us☺), have great content and always have us leaving better educated about animal issues or with a smile on our face. You know one, too? Well, get busy and nominate them! You've only got until the end of this month!

It's the 2011 Petties Awards!

Ice the champagne, roll out whatever color carpet best hides fur — the Petties are upon us!

The Petties Awards are Dogtime's annual celebration recognizing excellence among animal-loving bloggers of all stripes. The Petties are the only awards nominated by, voted for, and presented to individuals in the pet blogging community.

How it works

Between now and June 29, 2011, we invite all readers and writers — that means you! — to nominate your favorite blogs. This year, we’ve added four new categories to the ballot for a total of eight awards:

Best Dog Blog
Best Cat Blog
Best Cause-Related Blog
Best Overall Pet Blog
Best Designed Blog
Best Individual Blog Post
Best Social Integration Blog
Funniest Blog or Blogger

You can nominate a single blog/blogger for as many categories as you like, and you can nominate as many different blog/bloggers as you like for a single category — or as many categories as you like. (You may not, however, nominate the same blog/blogger in one category more than once. In the highly unlikely event of a tie, DogTime will choose the finalist.)

At the close of the nomination round, the four bloggers with the most nominations in each category will become finalists. The voting round then begins on July 5, 2011. Don’t miss out — mark your calendars for these important dates:

June 29, 2011: Nominations close

July 5, 2011: Voting for finalists open

July 29, 2011: Voting for finalists closes

August 26, 2011: 2^nd Annual Petties Awards ceremony, held at the BlogPaws Conference in Tysons Corner, Virginia

Glitter, glam, and giving

Like the Academy Awards, last years winners are eligible to win again this year. (Missed the 2010 ceremony? Check out the wrap-up or relive the magic here.) And just like the Hollywood event, the Petties will feature shameless paparazzi, magnificent pageantry, and touching acceptance speeches.

There is however, one major difference between the Petties and the Oscars (aside from a consistently hilarious host, year after year). In addition to a mantel-worthy statuette, DogTime will honor winners with a $1000 donation to the shelter of their choice. It’s our way of saying thanks for being a voice for those who need it most.

If you could talk like your cat...

2011-06-04T10:18:00.004-04:00

Biggy-fy so your human'bean eyes can read good

It's Friday, time to PAWS to reflect...

2011-05-27T00:02:00.002-04:00

ImPAWtant public service announcement!

2011-05-26T08:15:00.007-04:00

♥Put animal shelters out of business - ADOPTION is the ONLY OPTION!♥

Time to celly-brate! Tony the Tiger is gonna get his dignity back!

2011-05-12T11:27:00.000-04:00

The fambly kittens are happy to tell you that, on May 6, a Louisiana judge ordered the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to permanently stop renewing the state permit that allows "Tony the Tiger" to be housed at the truck stop.

Thanks to the work done by WSPA partner organizations Animal Legal Defense Fund and Big Cat Rescue - in addition to the 40,000+ supporters who signed their "Free Tony the Tiger" petition last November - Tony will be freed from his roadside cage by December. He has languished in poor conditions for more than ten years, and now can begin a new life of freedom in a sanctuary.

The fambly kittens are so grateful to be able to share this wonderful news with you, as a reminder of what can happen when people stand together on behalf of animals.

Wordless Wednesday: Pretty in pink...

2011-05-04T08:40:00.002-04:00

The fambly kittens PURRay fur our FURends

2011-04-28T11:59:00.003-04:00

I had the opportunity to live in the South for many years: Texas, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee. A more hospitable and gracious people cannot be found on our planet. Please know that you and your families are close to our ♥s in thought and PURRayer.

♥Sweet Praline♥ has completed her Circle of Life

2011-04-26T09:36:00.001-04:00

A good thought - pass it around...

2011-04-25T06:05:00.003-04:00

PeeEss: Miss Sweet Praline may be completing her Circle of Life today. Our ♥s are furry heavy. Please keep her fambly in your thoughts.

Love the Earth you're with...

2011-04-22T08:42:00.000-04:00

Our PURRayers are deep in the ♥ of Texas

2011-04-21T12:23:00.000-04:00

Beggin' to be tickled...

2011-04-12T00:02:00.001-04:00

It's all about me - It's all about the belleh

2011-04-09T09:06:00.002-04:00

PeeEss: We would like to send our bestest purrs an' purrayers to Eric 'n Flynn's momma as she recuperates from her surgery.

Mooch Dreams - Out of Africa

2011-03-28T02:20:00.002-04:00

We are one world and one humanity. Far or near, what happens to the least among us affects all of us. My wish is that when I no longer walk this planet my footsteps tread gently on the tender hearts and souls of our animal friends.

♥Sweet Praline needs our bestest PURR-ayers♥

2011-03-27T08:25:00.005-04:00

Wordless Wednesday: Paper Tiger

2011-03-23T00:02:00.003-04:00

Stalemate...

2011-03-20T00:02:00.000-04:00

Rosemary JOY! finds out there's an app for everone

2011-02-20T10:06:00.002-05:00

Miss Camille Suzanne dreams of her Dante

2011-02-14T13:20:00.007-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day dear Dante

Rosemary JOY! checks out her new digs...

2011-02-13T00:02:00.000-05:00

A new a-PAW-tment to check out

It feels good 'n sturdy

Great views

It's a keeper!

Miss Camillie Suzanne: Just showin' a little tail

2011-02-06T03:23:00.000-05:00

Cat turds voted YUMMY to the tummy!

2011-01-20T18:31:00.000-05:00

Newsflash: National pet food marketing firm reports, "Next to week old fish, decaying road kill, and napkins from a woman's monthly you know what, dogs vote cat poop favorite flavor."

Yuck is right, because immediately after sampling this savory snack, dogs tend to engage in their other canine-specialty: the big wet kiss. Unfortunately, you don't know the affectionate gesture's laced with a slimy stink until it's too late.

Why do dogs don this eclectic assortment of culinary cravings? The answer lies in studies of free-roaming, human-avoiding dogs in rural areas of other countries. These dogs don't survive by playing the great four-legged hunter. Instead, they raid the mother lode of trash cans: the local dump. And with all the competition amongst rival groups, they can't be choosy. If it smells edible, the rule is "Eat first; and ask questions later."

But why do your refined city dogs engage in scavenging like these rural heathen hounds? And why your cat's poop? Because they can and because it's there. Some owners are lucky because their dogs haven't figured it out. Once they do, it's "end of story." Dogs practically lie in wait for a chance at this secret stash. Will kitty leave them a tasty treat this time? Once the prize is placed, it stares them in the eye like a luscious brownie on the third day of your no-chocolate-diet.

Needless to say, trying to break Fido of this habit is a losing cause. And scooping the litter box immediately after each of Kitty's deposits is simply not possible for mere mortals. Luckily, we can manipulate the environment to restrict dogs' access and get our way. For example, if your Fido is Fifi-sized, you can elevate the litter box out of pooch-range. The top of a desk or cabinet could work fine. Of course, you have to be sure Kitty is comfortable jumping that high.

For large-breed dogs, you can designate a room for Kitty's litter boxes and place a baby gate in the doorway -- but raise it about a foot off the ground. A better bet would be a personal passage for your cats to their private lavatory in a separate room or closet. You can either try a magnetic or electronic kitty door that will only open for pets wearing the collar key. Or you can try my personal favorite: the "Cathole" -- a mouse-hole shaped entryway that you insert into a door. It's big enough for both regular as well as plus-sized cats but keeps most dogs -- and infants, for that matter -- out. Even with the enticement of last night's table scraps, neither my 35-pound Australian cattle dog, nor my 20-pound Scottie (who, due to some weird act of nature, has the same-sized head and teeth but a smaller body than the cattle dog) could shove her way through past her chest. They just paddled and strained, their heads protruding through like mounted trophies.

The Cathole even looks pretty nice. It has an optional brush insert which grooms your cat every time she passes through, and you can stain the wood to match or complement your door's design. The one down side is that you do need to install it. That means you have to take the door off its hinges and cut a hole using a jigsaw and the included template. Luckily, the Cathole comes with instructions designed to guide even the most mechanically challenged. The company's web page includes pictures showing how to remove your door, and the paper instructions remind you to make the hole at the bottom of the door rather than accidentally making it at the top. All in all, the process is pretty simple and probably worth your while. The best part is that if you place the litter box far enough away from the hole and in a location that your cat finds suitable, your pooch poop-eating problem could be solved for good.

You can find different door options at www.cathole.com and www.petdoors.com.

And if you feel guilty for denying Fido his favorite doo-doo delicacy, you can offer him Cat Logs for Dogs -- a dog treat designed to look like real poop replicas. Adapted from an article originally appearing in the San Francisco Chronicle in 2001.

Callin' all furends of the LUKE an' the MOM - we needs youz help NOW!

2011-01-07T01:39:00.000-05:00

We are needin' your help an' we gotta do this fast 'cuz the Luke needs some really strong Power of the Paw that he can see an' smell an' touch an' so does the mom. Our momma contacted Golden Retriever Rescue of Houston an' got PURRmission to send cards an' good wishes to the Luke usin' their address (the Luke is kinda shy 'bout his) an' sssshhhhh, you can't tell the Luke or the Mom or the Bleu 'bout this. If they wander over they will find out but we have pee-mail that tells us the Mom is not watchin' her bloggy 'cause it makes her sad an' she doesn't wanna be sad 'round the Luke.

So, tell your momma or dadda that you needs a card to send to the Luke (Valentines an' friendship cards are good) an' tell your momma or dadda that you will help by lickin' the envelope an' escorting' your momma or dadda to the USPS office (walks are good fur alla' us, ya know).

We gotta hurry an' hurry fast 'cause the Luke is gettin' ready to complete his Circle of Life an' will be leavin' fur Heaven, but we don't want him to go anywhere 'til he sees alla' our cards an' letters so he can carry alla' our l♥ve wif him to keep him warm when he watches us from the stars an' waits fur the Mom an' us to come see him when we do our Circle of Life.

Send cards an' letters an' good stuff to:

the Luke an' the Mom (the Bleu, too)

c/o Miss Karen

Golden Retriever Rescue of Houston, Inc.
PO Box 19594
Houston, TX 77224

Now, get goin'!

PeeEss: an' you don't has ta be shy 'bout spreadin' the word 'round so eFURy-doggy an' catty knows 'bout our Power of the Paw PURRoject!

I ♥ Simon's Cat - just love him!

2010-12-26T11:53:00.001-05:00

♥Meowy Christmas♥

2010-12-25T12:53:00.000-05:00

Obama signs law banning 'crush videos' depicting animal cruelty

2010-12-12T12:57:00.000-05:00

By Bill Mears, CNN Supreme Court Producer
December 10, 2010 4:48 p.m. EST

Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama has signed a law that specifically bans so-called "crush videos" -- depictions of small animals being tortured to death by humans. The legislation came in response to a Supreme Court ruling this year striking down a broader congressional law dealing with animal cruelty.

The Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act criminalizes the creation, sale, and marketing of these specific kinds of videos, which lawmakers had labeled as "obscene." Penalties of up to seven years in prison would be possible.

The videos mostly depict women -- with their faces unseen -- stomping helpless animals such as rabbits to death with spiked-heel shoes or with their bare feet. The videos apparently satisfy a sexual fetish for those who produce and watch them, said animal rights activists who supported the new bill.

"By cracking down on the creation and distribution of crush videos, this bipartisan law effectively protects both animals and free speech," said Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, one of the co-sponsors of the bill.

Sens. Jon Kyl, R-Arizona, and Richard Burr, R-North Carolina, also helped draft the legislation.

Supporters said the high court ruling opened the door for Congress to craft a "narrowly tailored" bill aimed at banning this specific type of commercial activity.

"We are thankful that countless animals will now be spared from intentional torture for sick entertainment and profit," said Wayne Pacelle of the Humane Society of the United States, which has worked for years to stop the mostly underground activity.

The justices by an 8-1 margin struck down a broader 1999 federal law designed to stop the sale and marketing of videos showing dogfighting and other acts of animal cruelty, saying it was an unconstitutional violation of free speech. That specific case dealt with a Virginia man who sold videos of dogs fighting each other at an overseas location.

But the lone dissenter, Justice Samuel Alito focused his attention on crush videos. "The animals used in crush videos are living creatures that experience excruciating pain. Our society has long banned such cruelty," he said. The courts, he said, have "erred in second-guessing the legislative judgment about the importance of preventing cruelty to animals."

Alito at the time predicted mores crush videos would soon flood the underground market, because the ruling has "the practical effect of legalizing the sale of such videos."

Lawmakers had promised to craft bills banning those types of videos. It was unclear if further legal challenges would result, following the president signing it into law.

When it came to dog-fighting videos, "The First Amendment itself reflects a judgment by the American people that the benefits of its restrictions on the government outweigh its costs," said Chief Justice John Roberts. He concluded Congress had not sufficiently shown "depictions" of dogfighting were enough to justify a special category of exclusion from free speech protection.

Nearly every state and local jurisdiction have their own laws banning mistreatment of wild and domesticated animals, and usually handle prosecutions

Several media organizations had supported Robert Stevens -- the man behind the dogfighting videos -- worrying the federal law could implicate reports about deer hunting, and depictions of bullfighting in Ernest Hemingway novels. Stevens has defended his dogfighting videos as educational in nature, and has said the confrontations themselves did not violate any state laws since they were taped overseas.

The Humane Society, other animal rights groups, and 26 states backed the government's original high court challenge appeal.

If that 11-year-old law had been upheld, it would have been only the second time the Supreme Court had identified a form of speech undeserving of protection by the First Amendment. The justices in 1982 banned the distribution of child pornography.

There was no immediate criticism of the president's action, but even this new more narrowly written law may face future legal challenges. The crush videos do not specifically depict a sexual act, and so there may be questions over whether the videos are in fact "obscene," at least by traditional legal and social standards.

The justices are currently considering a separate case dealing with so-called "violent" video games, and a California law that would ban the sale of such material to minors. The high court is being asked to treat violent material -- as defined by the state-- the same as obscene material, when imposing restrictions on their sale.

Never - ever give up: Microchip data brings Scrub home just in time for Christmas

2010-12-08T17:56:00.000-05:00

By PAM FIRMIN - pfirmin@sunherald.com

Five years after Scrub failed to return home one hot, muggy, post-Katrina night, he’s back with battle scars, a wild side that’s new and his old habit of sleeping underneath a blanket on somebody’s bed.

Jennifer Noble of Biloxi thought the Humane Society of South Mississippi had the wrong cat as she listened last week to a message left on her husband’s office answering machine.

The message said they had a pet brought in with her information on his microchip. She had given away two kittens -- failed attempts to replace Scrub -- and figured the message was about one of those.

“‘Do you have a gray and white cat?’” Noble said a humane society employee asked when she returned the call. Scrub is a Russian blue and tabby, mostly gray with white markings. The other cats had been gray.

“You have my cat! Oh my gosh!” she remembers saying. “That cat has been missing for five years!”

She said the employee replied, “‘Oh my gosh. Well, Merry Christmas!’”

“This is the power of microchipping,” humane society Director Tara High said. “There is no other way that cat would have found its family. This is a very dramatic story with a wonderful ending.”

During the past year, High said the humane society has done more than 7,000 microchips and “we have seen our stray intake go down over 34 percent. The animal-control officers are scanning them before they even come in.”

Scrub, who was about two years old when he disappeared, seems to be in excellent condition, Noble said. A small chunk is missing out of one ear and the other has a scar where the fur didn’t grow back.

He was brought to the humane society, she was told, by a woman who said she had been feeding him as a stray for a month or two and with the cold snap coming in, was concerned he wouldn’t be all right.

The Nobles’ home is in Sunkist, about 15 miles from where Scrub’s benefactor lived on 21st Street in Gulfport.

Scrub had been a gift from Jennifer Noble’s husband, Chris Noble, and prior to Katrina, he was an indoor cat.

“What allowed him to get away,” Jennifer Noble said, “ … with the storm, everybody knows how hot it was and there was no electricity. We had the doors and windows open.

“We tried to keep him in a room. It was so miserably hot.”

She started letting him roam outside and one day, he didn’t come back.

“The scenery was changing every day,” she said. “I honestly think he got disoriented; that he just couldn’t find this way back.

“When we first got him back, for the first few hours he was very, very afraid. He was unsure of his surroundings. He was very jumpy. Then, he calmed down, got a little more relaxed.

“By the time the (Noble) boys went to sleep that first night, he had crawled into their bed. It was such an odd thing. All the other cats I’ve known have been afraid to get under a cover.

“Scrub always slept underneath a blanket on somebody’s bed.

“And that’s exactly what he did. I’ve never seen any other cat do that.

“Today, he still has his moments where he gets a little jumpy,” Noble said. “He is not as docile as he used to be. He’s got a little bit of wild in him and you see it every once in a while.

“That could be his age; he’s six or seven years old now.

“If he could talk,” Noble said, “I’m sure he has quite a story to tell us.”

Just waitin' FUR da weekend...

2010-12-01T15:47:00.001-05:00

The PAWse that reFUReshes...

2010-11-28T00:02:00.007-05:00

Aurora Katrina likes her beverages on tap!

♥HappyThanksgiving to youz FURom the Fambly Kittens♥

2010-11-25T08:45:00.001-05:00

Our momma cried in happiness - H.R. 5566 HAS PASSED THE HOUSE!

2010-11-16T00:02:00.000-05:00

Mimi's note: No cute photos. No funny words. An issue as important as this one stands on its own.

WASHINGTON — The House on Monday voted to ban so-called crush videos that depict the abuse and killing of animals.

The measure would revive, with some modifications, a 1999 law that was struck down by the Supreme Court last April on the grounds it was too broadly written and violated First Amendment free speech protections.

Congress has been trying since then to come up with a more narrowly crafted law, and the measure the House passed still differs slightly from a version approved by the Senate in September. It now goes back to the Senate.

"We need a law that stays on the books," House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., said in explaining the decision to tinker with the Senate language.

The bill was the first to be taken up in the lame-duck session of Congress that opened Monday.

The legislation, which the House originally passed in July, would make it a crime to sell or distribute videos that violate bans on animal cruelty by showing animals being burned, drowned, suffocated or impaled.

Such videos appeal to a sexual fetish by showing women, often barefoot or wearing high heels, stomping small animals to death.

Every state bans animal cruelty, but it has been difficult to apply those laws to crush videos because they often do not show faces, dates or locations. The legislation makes interstate sale of such videos a crime subject to fines and imprisonment.

Conyers said the House took out a Senate provision that made punishments for attempting or conspiring to make the videos equal to punishments for a completed product. He said that could cause constitutional issues.

Betsy Dribben, vice president for government relations at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, expressed frustration at the delay. "We're concerned about the animals being killed and we're also concerned about the social ramifications," she said, citing opinions that cruelty to animals can be a catalyst to violence against humans.

Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., a sponsor of the original bill in 1999, said in a previous statement that famed killers such as Ted Bundy and Ted Kaczynski tortured or killed animals before killing people.

The legislation makes exceptions for films depicting hunting, trapping and fishing.
__

The bill is H.R. 5566

Be there or be square - the Second Annual Worldwide Moment

2010-11-08T00:02:00.000-05:00

Two Special Wires, Fergi and Jake, are PURR-moting the Second Annual Worldwide Moment. We could tell you all about it but we ask you to go over to their bloggy to get the scoop. What we will tell you is that this event is especially imPAWtant this year because so furry many wonderful FURends have moved to Heaven and many more FURends are PURRparing to leave us to join those already departed.

So, please, mark this special day on your calendar and PURRmote it on your bloggy. We can't imagine a more special event for PURRticipation.

Miss Camille Suzanne: Paper Tiger

2010-11-03T09:23:00.002-04:00

We has only ONE WORD fur youz guys...

2010-11-01T20:46:00.000-04:00

Even kitties find special ways to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2010-10-24T04:02:00.001-04:00

♥Get in touch with your 'inner kitten' for a good cause♥

2010-10-21T00:02:00.001-04:00

Too many of our furry good FURends have left for Heaven too early. Too many of our furry good 'beans have had to go to Heaven long before their time to go - all because of a rotten disease. It's time FUR us cats and kittens to stand up and raise our paws in the fight against the BIG C.

So, grab your favorite blankie an' head on over to your favorite snoozin' spot to help fight the good fight against a disease that needs to go to h*ll because it has to stop sending our l♥ved ones to Heaven.

PeeEss: don't FURget to 'click to sign the pledge'.

CALLING ALL CATS! Power of the Paw needed ASAP over at 'the LUKE's' place!

2010-10-18T10:02:00.001-04:00

Golden Boy, Golden Retriever, Golden Boy the Luke needs the Power of the Paw ASAP now and for as many days as he says. Luke has had surgery on his throat and the dog-tor said the C-word to the mom. They have decided to fight that old C-thing like crazy and to only think PAWsitive thoughts so no sad stories or downers when you go to hold out your paw in friendship. If you know a good story, tell it. If you know a joke, share it. But no sobbing and no dark thoughts.

They want to see the sun and hear the birdies and listen to the river as it flows over the rocks gurgling away. They need to get good karma so the Luke can fight the good fight and WIN! And, if I know alla' us dogs - we will be right by his side all the way to the victory line and into the winner's circle!

So get on your collar, grab your leash and tell your momma or dadda to get out of the Bark-o-lounger and take you over to Golden Boy Luke's place to leave encouragement and the Power of the Paw in heaping spoonfuls! We ARE a community and as a community we hold paws and support each other FURever and FURever.

And don't FURget to travel on over to Wilf's place while you're at it. He's experiencing some good days with his dadda playing up a storm and eating French food to his ♥s content. We need to continue to lay our paws on Wilf and his fambly, too.

Animal Abuse Registry: Suffolk County, NY Creating Nation's First Public Database Tracking Animal Cruelty Offenders

2010-10-15T03:52:00.000-04:00

Mimi's note: Each and every state in the Union needs to have a law like the one below. It won't happen if we just sit around waiting for someone else to do the job! We need to be active and to place the idea for legislation of this type into the hands of our state Senators and Representatives. I know that I will after the November elections. If each of us does our part we could have a Nationwide registry. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

FRANK ELTMAN FARMINGVILLE, N.Y. — You've heard of Megan's Laws, designed to keep sex offenders from striking again. Now there's a law created in the hope of preventing animal abusers from inflicting more cruelty – or moving on to human victims.

Suffolk County, on the eastern half of Long Island, moved to create the nation's first animal abuse registry this week, requiring people convicted of cruelty to animals to register or face jail time and fines.

"We know there is a very strong correlation between animal abuse and domestic violence," said Suffolk County legislator Jon Cooper, the bill's sponsor. "Almost every serial killer starts out by torturing animals, so in a strange sense we could end up protecting the lives of people."

The online list will be open to the public, so that pet owners or the merely curious can find out whether someone living near them is on it. Some animal abusers have been known to steal their neighbors' pets.

Cooper is also pushing legislation that would bar anyone on the registry from buying or adopting a pet from a shelter, pet shop or breeder.

Camille Suzanne snoozin' in her basket that is tied to a simmerin' radiator

The law was prompted by a number of animal abuse cases in recent months, including that of a Selden woman accused of forcing her children to watch her torture and kill kittens and dozens of dogs, then burying the pets in her backyard.

Animal welfare activists hope the law, passed unanimously Tuesday in the suburban New York City county of 1.5 million people, will inspire governments nationwide in the same way Megan's Law registries for child molesters have proliferated in the past decade.

A spokesman for county Executive Steve Levy said he intends to sign the legislation. It then requires a six-month review by state officials before it goes on the books, said the spokesman, Dan Aug.

As Fred Surbito took his Yorkshire terrier, Sasha, in for grooming at a Farmingville pet store this week, he applauded the legislation.

Mr. Scout and his favorite nappin' spot

"It's very, very important," he said. "If you don't love an animal, you should not have an animal. An animal is part of your family. Like your children, they should never be neglected or harmed. Anybody that does should never own a pet again."

More than a dozen states have introduced legislation to establish similar registries, but Suffolk County is the first government entity to pass such a law, said Stephan Otto, director of legislative affairs for the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

The Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will administer the database, to be funded by a $50 fee paid by convicted abusers. All abusers 18 or older must supply authorities with their address, a head-and-shoulders photograph and any aliases. Convicted abusers will remain on the registry for five years. Those failing to register face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Grand-dogs Cody 'n Suzie as babies two years ago

After the 2009 arrest of Sharon McDonough, accused of burying kittens and as many as 42 dogs in her yard, neighbors whose pets had disappeared feared the worst. But authorities later concluded that McDonough – who is expected in court this month and could get up to two years in prison if convicted – bought the animals or adopted them through shelters or other traditional outlets.

While some abuse is motivated purely by cruelty, Suffolk SPCA Chief Roy Gross said, some recent cases are linked to the poor economy.

For instance, an emaciated Doberman mix was recently found near death inside a foreclosed-on home, he said. And sometimes, pet rescuer Cathy Mulnard said, elderly people on fixed incomes must decide between eating, or feeding their pets.

"They don't mean to be bad to the animal, but they get overwhelmed and don't know how to ask for help. They may be innocent abusers," said Mulnard, a founder and co-director of Second Chance Rescue, a Suffolk animal shelter that works closely with the SPCA.

Mulnard called the legislation "a godsend for the animals."

"We take care of our animals and love our animals the way you do your children," she said. "We need to protect every animal that's out there because they don't make the decisions in their life; human beings do."
___

Associated Press researcher Monika Mathur in New York contributed to this report.

Sometimes the good guys win! Senate passes bill to ban Crush Videos!

2010-10-04T18:14:00.000-04:00

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a bill that would ban the creation, sale and distribution of so-called "crush videos" -- sexual fetish films in which small animals are maimed or killed.

The legislation goes to the House, which passed its own version of the bill in July.

The Senate version goes further than the House legislation in that it specifically prohibits the creation of animal crush videos, not just their sale.

My grandson, Joe, with Aurora Katrina (2000)

It also prohibits such videos from being distributed for free, a common practice on the Internet via file-sharing per-to-peer networks.

Nancy Perry, vice president for governmental affairs at the Humane Society of the United States, told the Senate Judiciary Committee this month there had been a resurgence in the number of crush videos available on the Web after the court move.

"Congress has a longstanding and compelling government interest in preventing cruelty to animals," Perry said. "Having a law on the books can make a real and immediate difference in preventing extreme animal cruelty."

The crush videos show women stomping small animals (kittens, rabbits) with spiked heels. How sick: it's a turn on for some people.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, said "Videos depicting extreme animal cruelty have no place in our society."

This bill is a response to the Supreme Court ruling against a broader animal cruelty bill in April.

LiveSTRONG today in honor of l♥ve lost yesterday...

2010-10-02T02:35:00.000-04:00

Do you know why today is LiveSTRONG day? Because October 2nd was the day that Lance Armstrong received the devastating news that he had testicular cancer. That was a life-altering diagnosis for a man who was young and healthy and vital. Lance took that diagnosis and he LivedSTRONG to the best of his ability and knocked his disease to its knees on more than one occasion. Never once did he give in to defeat. He'd get shoved down and would get right back up again - an example to all of us.

I'm sure that all of us know someone who faced the demon named cancer and came out on top. I'm sure that all of us know someone who fought the good fight and lost the battle even though they faced each day with courage and strength. Every day when we close the door to our home behind us we are surrounded by valiant warriors who are unknown to us. They go about their day without making us aware of their struggle - their battles - and their fears and sorrows.

My mother and I. She fought the good fight against breast cancer and lost - but fight she did and with a passion.

We are also surrounded by family heroes who go by the name of mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter and friend - people who support those they love dearly who have been informed they have cancer or that their cancer has returned.

Last, but certainly not least, we are surrounded by those warriors who fought the good fight and won! They took on a foe that makes most of us cringe and shudder in our boots. They had the mastectomy or prostate surgery or amputation or lumpectomy and then they endured weeks and months of toxic chemicals being poured into their bodies. Medications that made them so sick they wanted to just lay down and die. But, they didn't - they kept on and they came out the other side triumphant holding the banner of remission or complete cure!

Whether you live with cancer or died with cancer YOU are my hero. If you love someone or help to care for someone with cancer YOU are my hero. If you have stood by a grave (as I have) and mourned for love lost too soon, YOU are my hero. The fight against cancer is filled with heroes and heroines - those we know about and those we have never heard mentioned. Those people are all icons of beauty and strength and courage and triumph. I stand before them humbled because no matter what I have endured in my lifetime, I yield to their impeccable example of character in the face of a foe that has the capability of taking a 200 pound man and dropping him to his knees in fear when he hears that he must don his emotional armour and fight the good fight for his life.

My h♥art-dog, Tony, who died in my arms in 1987, killed by hemangiosarcoma. No heart has beat with more courage or love or devotion.

Did you know that LiveSTRONG has a web site with literally volumes of information and assistance and links that guide and instruct US and those we love about what we need to do to stand up and take that first step to live the remainder of our lives strong and healthy? Take a look, you'll get lost reading its volumes of fantastic information about a myriad of healthy topics. You will be able to participate in support groups to help you as you diet or stop smoking or begin to exercise or get into your kitchen to learn how to cook healthy. It's all there. It's all FREE. What are you waiting for? Let's all LiveSTRONG today and tomorrow and all of our tomorrows - for us and for those who are fighting the good fight and for those who fought the most difficult battle of their lives and lost.

Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Good, sound advice.

And, last but not least: October is National Breast Cancer Month. Wear a pink ribbon on your blog in support of all the courageous women who have faced down this demon and told it to 'go to h*ll'.

Help OPERATION BAGHDAD PUPS WIN a $20,000 Prize! Bring home our soldier's dogs & cats.

2010-10-01T08:48:00.002-04:00

Mimi's note: Taking in a homeless cat, kitten, dog or puppy when so far away from home is sometimes the only comfort that our brightest and best soldiers have at the end of what most be horrible days and nights. PLEASE vote for this organization now and tomorrow and the next day. Numerous animals have been brought to the USA and reunited with the first love of their life - the soldier who gave them refuge from the horrors of war.

We OWE it to our military to do each and everything possible in each and every way. Let's bring home those pets that gave them so much love when they were so far from American soil.

It is CRITICAL that we bring to the US as many dogs as possible due to the fact that the Muslim religion dictates that dogs are unclean and cannot be pets and that all black dogs should be killed. (I make NO determination about the Muslim religion or Islam good or bad. I am only sharing what I have learned and fact-checked.)

God bless you for helping and God Bless the United States of America.

During the "Friends of Naturalizer" contest running September 30th through October 3rd, Naturalizer will donate $20,000 to a charitable organization dedicated to one of these important causes - disaster relief, clean water and the safety and well-being of animals. It's up to YOU to decide who wins this sizable donation. Voting takes just two clicks!

Cast your vote for animals!

We need YOU to vote daily today through Sunday, October 3rd for SPCA International and Operation Baghdad Pups!

Vote Now and Vote Daily!

Please share this information with your family and friends to maximize your impact!

LIVESTRONG EVENT - October 2nd - You snooze, you lose

2010-09-26T11:32:00.001-04:00

Miss Camille Suzanne wants everyone to remember that October 2nd is LIVESTRONG DAY across the world and the blogosphere. You can register your bloggy to attend and do a special post that day to honor a loved one that left for heaven because of that horrible Cancer disease or you can show your support of all who are 'fighting the good fight' right now to defeat the C-deamon. However you chose to PAWticipate - please DO. It will take each and every one of us to stand side by side to conquer Cancer in our lifetime.

Grab our sidebar badge, add it to your bloggy and display it proudly because now you are a warrior in the great army doing battle against the BIG C.

Florida man builds kitty village as sanctuary for homeless cats

2010-09-20T00:02:00.001-04:00

Mimi's note: Usually I post a little introduction to my entries; however, this is such eye-candy I'd like you to use all of your time to enjoy!

By Jerry James Stone, Planet Green Craig Grant didn't like cats. But that changed when his son moved out, leaving his cat, Pepper, behind. And just when Craig was getting used to having one cat, he found out Pepper was pregnant.

Five kittens later, Craig was ready to adopt them out until his son said they must stay with their mother for 8 weeks. "It wasn't long before the kittens were swinging from my curtains," he notes on his website.
The cats started to be a problem for Craig. Not only were neighbors complaining but the cats were being harassed, like being shot with B.B. guns. A newspaper advertisement led him to a tree farm 100 miles away from his Jacksonville condo.

He immediately loved the tree farm and bought 30 acres where he quickly erected an office trailer as a cat shelter. It had pet doors and padded shelving for long cat naps. The sanctuary is in the middle of 100 acres of wildlife.

(Photo via caboodleranch.com)

Craig moved there himself in 2003. By that time he had 11 cats -- he had adopted strays and abandoned cats. By 2004, he had 22 cats. As you can tell by these pictures, he now has quite a few more than 22.

(Photo via caboodleranch.com)

"We [currently] have 660 cats, we have barely touched on the first 5 acres of the 30 acres of land," says Craig. But that many cats in one location comes with serious concerns. Outdoor cats definitely affect bird populations to the measure of being an invasive species.

"Whenever you host a large number of domestic animals in one place, responsibility is key," says Jenny Powers at the Natural Resources Defense Council. "You don't want to run into unexpected environmental impacts like high amounts of animal waste in waterways or negatively impacted vegetation or critters." She points out that looking for sustainable solutions before a probem begins is the best way to ensure there's no unintended consequences associated with a good deed.

Craig's website says: "Caboodle Ranch has the seal of approval from the Tallahassee Humane Society and the Tallahassee/Madison County Animal Control. Representatives from both have been to the ranch and both have liked what they've found."

(Photo via caboodleranch.com)

The expenses for the nonprofit sanctuary come out of Craig's pocket and donations from the public. Each cat costs about $550 a year to tend to, and that is without extraneous vet bills. All the cats are spayed or neutered, and their shots are kept up to date.

(Photo via caboodleranch.com)

And while Caboodle Ranch is beyond cute, it is also hard work. Craig puts in 14-plus hours a day. The ranch's biggest challenge is finding dedicated volunteers. The novelty of the sanctuary surely attracts visitors, about 30 or so each month, but they don't always stick around.

(Photo via caboodleranch.com)

But don't go to Caboodle Ranch looking for a pet. The cats are not up for adoption. "The reason the cats are there in the first place is that there were not enough homes [for them]. The cats at the ranch have their forever home now. We prefer people adopt cats from humane societies, animal control, etc., where those cats are on death row and are in desperate need to be saved," says Craig.

(Photo via caboodleranch.com)

Let's fill some hungry tummies and show our l♥ve - Pedigree adoption & food drive

2010-09-17T10:38:00.002-04:00

Mimi's note: The faces you see above are my shelter babies. Each of them was homeless before I adopted them and provided a FURever home. There are millions and millions of gorgeous companion animals housed in your local shelter just waiting for a chance to give you their love. Let's do what we can to keep them fed until they leave the shelter in the loving arms of their new momma or dadda.

Our shelters' finances are severely strained in our miserable economy. What you do today just might save a life - I know it will provide a full tummy.

How often have you had a chance to have a 20 pound bag of dog food donated to a shelter simply for writing a blog post? It’s really that easy. Pedigree has upped the ante big time. And please spread this message: The food drive is not limited to pet blogs. Imagine if we could spread this message beyond our circles and see how far it goes? The numbers could be substantial. Here is the full scoop:

Each year, more than 4 million dogs end up in shelters and breed rescue organizations. Pedigree created The PEDIGREE Adoption Drive to help shine a spotlight on the plight of these homeless dogs.

This year the PEDIGREE Adoption Drive is raising awareness for homeless dogs by donating a bowl of food to shelter dogs for everyone who becomes a “Fan” or “Likes” The PEDIGREE Adoption Drive on Facebook. So far more than 1 million bowls have been donated.

Special for BlogPaws West: For each blog that posts about the PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive through September 19^th, PEDIGREE® will donate a bag of their new Healthy Longevity Food for Dogs to shelters nationwide. It’s simple: Write a post, help a dog.

Thursday, September 16 through Sunday, September 19, the Pedigree BlogPaws bloggers will host a Blog Hop, to help raise awareness for the “Write a post, help a dog” effort.

It is so easy to make a big difference. Please set aside a few moments to write a post. Include the bullet points above. Copy the pics if you’d like. Add whatever you’d like in addition to help get the message out. Because this is not limited to pet bloggers, there is tremendous potential. Know bloggers in other categories that might be interested? Please share this post with them, write one of your own, and be here Thursday to leave a link to your post. Let’s make this huge. It would just feel great.

September 11, 2010 - God Bless the United States of America - We will NEVER forget

2010-09-11T00:02:00.001-04:00

Petey's brofur Mica is going to heaven this afternoon. Hurry over there to give some l♥ve.

2010-09-08T13:38:00.000-04:00

PLEASE run as quick as you can over to Petey's Playhouse. Petey's kitty brofur, Mica, is going to heaven this afternoon and his momma would like all of us to join paws and ♥s to be with them in spirit - to express our solidarity. Even sometimes when we know that we are doing the furry best thing for someone we l♥ve it is still one of this life's most difficult things to endure.

Rest in peace, Mica. You were loved dearly and gave much love to your fambly. No greater legacy can be left on earth by man or beast.

EZ like Sunday morning: Rosemary JOY, sleeping on a bed of roses

2010-08-29T01:51:00.002-04:00

Fat Eric is in Heaven - we are mourning

2010-08-18T06:31:00.009-04:00

The kitty blog world lost one of it's furry goodest and bestest friends. Fat Eric heard the angels call his name and being the good kitty that he was - he left all of us to go to Heaven. We will miss you so much, Fat Eric, but we know that your momma and dadda will miss you a million times a million more.

When we have to leave our momma you will be the first friend we look for so please find alla' the sun-beams and 'nip patches and birdie trees so we can settle in an' have some fun with you an' alla' the other wonderful kitty souls waiting for their momma's and dadda's.

♥Rest in peace, dear, sweet Eric♥
Today our music is in honor of Mr. Fat Eric, a lion among lions

♥Do you have room in your ♥ for one of Olive's friends♥

2010-08-15T09:49:00.001-04:00

☺Look at this face and then tell me you didn't smile☺

2010-08-10T01:10:00.001-04:00

I just want to grab this little kitty and plant a big, wet kiss right on its little, pink tongue!

Camille Suzanne says: I feel like such a basket case today...

2010-08-03T09:51:00.004-04:00

The soul of a tiger...

2010-08-02T08:21:00.000-04:00

It is imPAWssible not to l♥ve animals

2010-07-19T21:21:00.000-04:00

Look'it all the KITTIES!

2010-07-15T17:51:00.000-04:00

♥HAPPY PURR-THDAY AMERICA♥

2010-07-04T17:37:00.005-04:00

Today, on the birthday of the United States of America I stand proud. This country of mine is not perfect, but I know of no other that was born out of its citizens craving freedom with such desperation.

God Bless America!

God Bless her flag!

God Bless her military who protect our borders and shores and who are serving overseas

God Bless the mothers, fathers, sister, brothers, children, spouses and friends of all who have died protecting our country, our flag, our FREEDOM and our Constitution!

♥Now, tell me you don't want a kitten - or two♥

2010-06-30T10:51:00.000-04:00

L♥ve is where you find it - there's nothing wrong with that☺

2010-06-23T00:03:00.000-04:00

Your ♥ will melt - I promise...

2010-06-22T00:03:00.002-04:00

Happy Father's Day to all PURRfect Dadda's in Bloggy-land

2010-06-20T02:59:00.000-04:00

Two legs or four - in the soccer world it's SCORE - SCORE - SCORE!

2010-06-14T10:56:00.001-04:00

It's flag day in America - long may she wave!

Calling all kitties - join the dogs in celebrating the World Cup - Unity in Diversity

2010-06-11T19:52:00.000-04:00

The World Cup begins today in South Africa! I'm sure most of you remember Maxdog of South Africa - our valiant Golden Retriever who is now waiting for his Maxmom at the Bridge. Living Life to the Max is Maxmom's blog that continues on without her precious Maxdog. Filled with great photos of South Africa and pooches Tammy, King Toffee and Tommy, Maxmom is sponsoring a month-long event for those us who would like to get into the South African-World Cup Spirit, UNITY in DIVERSITY. Hit the button on my sidebar to travel to South Africa and Maxmom's blog. There you will find out all about UNITY in DIVERSITY! ALL the cool dogs and cats will be there - you snooze, you loose!

There is still time for you to send Maxmom a note telling her what countries you will support and to grab a button of her blog to show your support. Heck, even if you aren't going to blog about the World Cup, grab a button - they're FREE!☺

As for myself, I will be blogging about four different countries on the dates that they play. I thought long and hard about how I would tie my posts into writing about dogs. Nearly every county has its own, special dog breed that either originated there or is now an important part of that country's everyday life. A couple of those dogs have played very special parts in my life: Great Pyrenees, German Shepherd Dog, Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever (do you know where these breeds were developed and why?). I will also be blogging about a breed that is dear to my heart - one that originated in the country of my ancestors. Along with geographical tidbits I will share a recipe or two from my countries of choice.

I am looking forward to sharing with you my posts and am excited about the prospect of reading 'your take' on the countries that you choose to support, or just blog about, in the coming month.

BAFANA! BAFANA!
(a South African term of endearment which means 'the Boys')

Mimi's note: I was saddened to learn that Nelson Mandela lost his great-grand-daughter in an auto accident yesterday. As a parent and grandparent, I can imagine how deeply his heart mourns and send my condolences to the Mandela family from Michigan to South Africa.

Listen up folks! Miss Camille Suzanne is all tied up for the RED event of the season!

2010-06-08T00:03:00.000-04:00

On the 10th of June - this week - The Portuguese Water Blog dogs are hosting their Second Annual Bandanna Day. Last year the color was blue and this year they are celebrating the color red. Being a woman, our momma got all confused so she put a red, white and blue bandanna on me and my sisfur, Rosemay JOY! (You gotta wait until the 10th to see the final shots over on the Water Dog Blog. They are well worth the wait 'cause - well, I am furry PURRty to look at, you know.)

Momma decided that she would share some of my outtakes with you 'cause, like I said, I am too PURRty to waste any pose whether I am looking at the camera or not.

OK, I'll do this but there had better be some Tempta-shuns in this for me in copious amounts!

What do you mean you want a different angle! I have NO bad side!

How's this. I'm tellin' ya - that pink thing in your hands you call a camera is about to get batted right on to the floor.

OK - OK, here's the sweet, darling, precious angel-look you've been wanting. Now get this thing off me 'cause Rosemary JOY! just walked by and I think she had her paw raised to be next, hehehe-snicker-snicker☺

Here is all the info you need to PAWticipate. If you snooze, you loose. This is THE red event of the season!

Here are the 4 easy steps to play along.
1. Find something red to wear.
2. Have your person take your picture.
3. E-mail your picture to the momma at wilcoxhall@ymail.com
Include your name, the state or country where you live, and your blog or website so we can link to you.
4. Check in on this The Portuguese Water Blog on June 10 to see all the pictures.

I guarantee you - Your ♥ is going to melt - it's just going to melt

2010-06-04T13:38:00.001-04:00

There are so many horrible events taking place in our world - do something good for your soul. Take five minutes, sit back, and watch. I guarantee you that your blood pressure will go down and you will smile and you will feel so, so good inside.

Big oil - BP - Tony Hayward: Rotting in hell is TOO GOOD for you!

2010-06-01T13:49:00.004-04:00

If you EVER had any doubt that big oil was ruthless and without feeling and unscrupulous and without morality - LISTEN to this video! Excuse ME BP! We'd like our wetlands back and our clean sand back and our wildlife back and our turtles back and our shrimp back and our fish back and WE'D LIKE OUR LIFE BACK, TOO!

I live in Michigan not on the Gulf Coast, but this horrid and disgusting and lawless and immoral event harms ALL of us - ALL of us - we are citizens of the world. I have absolutely NO words to adequately express my grief and anger toward big oil and BP. My heart aches, not only for the wildlife but for the citizens of the Gulf Coast and for my grandchildren and for their unborn children that may never, ever see what I did when I lived in the south on the Gulf Coast. It may by gone forever and that means forever, not just for a really long time.

This Memorial Day, please take time to honor our DOGS OF WAR

2010-05-31T01:43:00.000-04:00

Please take the time this Memorial Day to remember our dogs of war.

In all previous wars we brought home our highly trained military dogs to retire with their handler or to continue to serve EXCEPT for Vietnam. When our military was ordered out of Nam our dogs were tied to camp poles and left to watch the soldiers they loved and protected walk away and not look back. Those dogs were considered to be excess baggage.

What happened to those dogs? Most starved to death - used for target practice by the Viet Cong or skinned alive and eaten by the Viet Cong who considered them to be a delicacy. Rumor has it that those who weren't tied or confined, ran behind the planes leaving with the troops they loved so dearly or waited patiently beneath helicopters for their orders which never came; and then, when they were completely exhausted, went back to their last camp and held vigil, patiently, for their handler to come back. (If you would like to learn more, click on the War Dog graphic. It will take you to a very sobering site.)

Out of 3,000 Viet Nam era war dogs, about 200 came home.

This Memorial Day let us remember fallen soldiers who lived, and died, for our country and for the soldier at the other end of the leash.

Dogs do not have the option of enlisting in the military. Yet, after they are chosen and trained, they stand next to their handler willing to give their life - without question. When a war dog locates a bomb, or a large cache of weapons and explosives, or even deters an attack, it isn't considered to be out of the ordinary. It isn’t covered on the news, you won’t see it in the newspapers, and chances are you will never know about it. However, the handlers, know. The Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Seamen who had their lives saved by one of these loyal and highly intelligent canine soldiers know. The war dogs also know they did well and usually receive a special meal at the end of a long day.
This blog entry is dedicated to the military dog teams of our great country. Please say an extra prayer and remember not just the dog teams that have given their lives but all dog teams worldwide who continue to be on the front lines. God bless and keep them all.

Please. if you have the time, visit the United States War Dogs K-9 Wall of Honor. You are here because you love dogs. You will leave these pages deeply affected.

A Working Dog
GOD SUMMONED A BEAST FROM THE FIELD...

And he said, Behold man, created in my image. Therefore adore him
You shall protect him in the wilderness, shepherd his flocks,
watch over his children, accompany him wherever he may go;
even unto civilization.

You shall be his companion, his ally, his slave. To do these things,
God said, I endow you with these instincts uncommon
to other beasts: faithfulness, devotion, and understanding
surpassing those of man himself.

Lest it impair your courage, you shall never foresee your death.
Lest it impair your loyalty, you shall be blind to faults of man. Lest it
impair your understanding, you are denied the power of words.

Let no fault of language cleave an accord beyond that of man with
any other beast; or even man with man. Speak to your master only
with your mind and through your honest eyes.

Walk by his side: sleep in his doorway: forage for him, ward
off his enemies, carry his burdens, share his afflictions;
love him and comfort him.

And in return for this, man will fulfill your needs and wants-
which shall be only food, shelter and affection.

So be silent, and be a friend to man. Guide him through the perils
along the way to the land that I have promised him.

This shall be your destiny and your immortality.

So spoke the Lord. And the dog heard and was content.

(Anonymous)

God bless America
God bless our troops

☺ A contest where EVERYONE WINS! How cool is that! ☺

2010-05-28T01:12:00.000-04:00

The dog blogging world has lost many of its beloved members over these past weeks. Some of our other members are fighting the good fight for their lives. A lot of sadness has traveled throughout the Universe with buckets, if not rivers, of tears shed in profuse sadness for love lost and love remembered. As we were traveling from blog to blog to offer our condolences, and to hopefully leave words of encouragement, something caught our eye on The Portuguese Water Blog. We made a note that we would come back to it and share the fun with all of our friends when the time was right. Today, we think the time is right and we hope that you do, too. So, dogs, and kitties, too, listen up! You're gonna like this!

The Portuguese Water Blog is having it's Second Annual BANDANNA DAY to be held on June 10th over on their bloggy. Here is some information about how you can 'put your bandanna in the ring' as copied from their site:

Fudge and the others can't wait to see what you all decide to wear. We're looking forward to making lots of new friends again this year. Let's beat last year's record of 73. You can start sending your pictures anytime. I'll save them till the 10th.

Here are the 4 easy steps to play along:

1. Find something red to wear.
2. Have your person take your picture.
3. E-mail your picture to me at wilcoxhall@ymail.com
Include your name, the state or country where you live, and your blog or website so we can link to you.
4. Check in on this blog on June 10 to see all the pictures.

We know that all well dressed dogs (and c*ts) have a bandanna somewhere in the house. If they don't then they need to grab their leash, tell their human being to grab the car keys and go shopping! The color this year is RED and - who doesn't love red or look pretty in red or look handsome in red!

Here's a sneak peek at our arsenal of bandannas but we're not going to show you the photo of our PURRsonal choices because we want you to be surprised on the 10th when those wacky, wild and crazy Portuguese Water Dogs post all of the photos!

So travel on over to The Portuguese Water Blog (no relation to Bo Obama, we don't think☺) and read all about it! Then grab your momma or dadda's camera, put it in their lap, sit pretty and pose with your snazziest bandanna tied around your neck - or heck, loop it around your tail if that is what suits your fancy! Pick out your best pose and shoot it on over to the momma of those fun lovin' Portuguese Water Dogs!

Gotta run. We just found another bandanna we want our momma to iron! I'm tellin' ya, this modeling thing is gettin' to be kinda fun!

Good-bye my darling Maxdog of South Africa, you now belong to the Universe

2010-05-24T09:28:00.000-04:00

Today we celebrate the life of darling Maxdog of South Africa. If you judge the impact that a life has made while on earth by the tears shed upon its death, then this dog, this Golden Retriever who lived in South Africa, was a hurricane - an tsunami - a tornado - an earthquake of monumental proportion.

Tonight my precious Max, I will stand under into the midnight sky and will look for the newest, brightest and biggest star in the heavens. I will reach up and touch you - for the first time.

Miss Mona needs the support of the infinite internet Universe...

2010-05-21T00:03:00.002-04:00

If you will, dear friends of the infinite internet Universe, please journey over to offer your strength and ♥felt PURRayers for dear Mona who has had surgery to remove a mast cell tumor. There is no way that a face as cute as hers should ever feel sad - nope, not never!

When yer lookin' fur a home - ya gotta do what ya gotta do

2010-05-20T08:45:00.000-04:00

Miss Camille Suzanne does Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-19T00:03:00.000-04:00

Miss Camille Suzanne does Greta Garbo

2010-05-05T01:27:00.007-04:00

I want to be alone...

Make Sale of Crush Videos Illegal Again! Help us fight animal suffering and exploitation. Sign the petition now!

2010-05-02T09:19:00.002-04:00

Goal: 30,000 • Progress: 6,285
Sponsored by: ASPCA

On April 20, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in U.S. v. Stevens that the "Crush Act," a 1999 federal law banning the creation, sale and possession of materials depicting genuine acts of animal cruelty, is unconstitutional and over-broad in its scope.

H.R. 5092 will help ensure that the crush video industry is not revitalized in the absence of any enforceable federal law. Add your voice to the cause! Join the ASPCA in urging the U.S. House of Representatives to support legislation that amends the Crush Act. Go here and SIGN NOW!

Digby is preparing to leave for heaven. Please offer him your love and support.

2010-05-01T09:32:00.005-04:00

Digby is losing his fight although he has battled his illness with valor and bravery. If you wish, please pay your last respects and offer his PAWrents and his brother, Wilf, your support as they surround this little Polish Lowland Sheepdog whom they so dearly love. You may leave him a blessing from your ♥ here.

Cat's cancerous leg saved - medical science advances

2010-04-29T02:25:00.004-04:00

It sounded like a death sentence. Sandy Lerner's 10-year-old cat, Cyrano, was diagnosed with cancer in his leg, and at 28 lbs., wouldn't survive comfortably without all four limbs intact. If amputation wasn't an option, how could she save her beloved pet?

After some research, Lerner stumbled upon the Colorado State University Animal Cancer Center. There, the doctors took on the task to save Cyrano, affectionately known as "Ratty," through tereotactic radiosurgery, a revolutionary radiation treatment done by machine believed to have only been used on dogs.

"They asked if I minded that he would likely be the first cat to do this," Lerner, co-founder of Cisco Systems and Urban Decay cosmetics, tells PEOPLEPets.com. "But somebody had to be first."

In March, shortly after Cyrano's diagnosis, Lerner flew with her kitty from Virginia to Fort Collins, Colo. "Immediately they did a full-body CT scan, and realized his cancer was localized to his femur, which was lucky," she recalls. "They decided to give him three radiation treatments and some chemotherapy, as well."

Dr. Christine Hardy, director of operations at the Animal Cancer Center, says that while it's unusual to see that type of cancer in a cat, her team of doctors was up to the challenge of saving Cyrano. "We looked at all the information, history and treatment options we had available," she tells PEOPLEPets.com. "We'd done this numerous times on dogs, so we applied what we'd learned toward treating Cyrano."

Though the clinicians, led by Dr. Stephen Withrow, were confident in their treatment, they knew Cyrano's weight would be a barrier to a healthy future if their plan faltered. "We were really concerned about his prognosis as a three-legged cat — that's a lot of cat to move around on three legs," Hardy says. "We thought if we could treat the tumor, and let him keep his legs, it'd be best for everyone."

Lerner and Cyrano stayed in Colorado for a week, cuddling in her hotel room each night after treatments were finished. "They couldn't have been kinder, gentler or more caring toward him," Lerner says of Withrow, Hardy and their colleagues. "They did exactly what they advertised." She declined to reveal the cost of the procedures.

Now recovering at home with his furry siblings — three cats, one dog, all rescues — Cyrano is basically considered cured. "The tumor is just gone," Lerner says. "We'll have to go in for regular checkups, and he has another few precautionary chemo treatments to take, but I have so much faith in his doctors. He's hardly missed a beat."

Three first born sons and a first kitty

2010-04-26T01:29:00.010-04:00

I believe that happy, little face speaks for itself. Joey, my first-born grandchild spent the night with his Mimi on the night that his mommy and daddy were at the hospital because they were about to become parents once again.

Joey, has cradled in his arms my first kitty, Aurora Katrina. A sweet, precious girl who was tossed out of a moving car in farm country - flung by her leg. Found bawling as loud as she could on the front lawn of a farmhouse in the pouring rain, she made it known that she felt she was worthy of a rescue. And, rescued she was, right into my arms.

Joey, age 12

It was Joey who taught me that being a grandmother was light-years ahead of being a mother and Aurora Katrina who taught me that kittens are loving, funny, affectionate and cuddly members of your family.

My first son, Dave, with his first son, Daniel holding Rosemary and Zoey (Zoey has since moved in with my son Jeff and his family). Daniel from the moment he first spied one of my kittens fell head over heels in love and he let the world know it, too. The conversation from the moment he came down for breakfast until he went up to bed for the night was the kittens in my house. Toys, kisses, petting them, carrying them around - with Daniel around my home there was no way I was going to have a kitten that didn't feel loved.

Daniel, age 10

Thanks, Jan, (Jan's Funny Farm) for this exercise in finding pictures of animals and children. Even the big children like my grown son, Dave, has brought back so many good memories for me and allowed me to see those precious kittens that are now grown cats that rule my home like true felines of leisure.

Head on over to the dogs' blog, Loving for a Living, to see more sweet photos of children and pets.

PeeEss: Digby is feeling a teeny, tiny bit better today. Miracles do happen - just ask our dear Maxdog in South Africa. When word gets out that one of our kind needs us we are there encircling them in prayer, purrs and paws. Keep up the good work!

Please visit with Digby as he fights the good fight

2010-04-25T09:48:00.002-04:00

If you have not already gone to Wilf and Digby's blog, please go there now. Dear Digby is fighting the good fight against all odds - let's hold his paw and send prayers to the ♥s of the people who love him so dearly.

There are ties that bind all of us together - through the miles and through our vast Universe - the love of another being who oftentimes behaves in a more loving and human manner than ourselves.

What is it about little heads and storm grates? Another amazing rescue!

2010-04-24T02:04:00.000-04:00

Karen Stone had packed up and gone home for the day when she got a call last week from the Plainfield, Conn., police department. Something about three fox heads sticking up outside of the storm grate.

Stone, an officer with the Plainfield Animal Control, drove out to the grate to assess the situation, and heard from nearby residents that the baby foxes, just a few weeks old, had been stuck there for two days.

"Aren't they adorable? They were feisty little buggers!" Stone tells PEOPLEPets.com. "I don't know how they got their heads out through there. What we think they did was, they got into the drain opening from the field where they live, and they traveled under the road. They must have come up where they saw the air."

Unable to rescue the fox cubs on her own, Stone called in the fire department's help. They first tried to lift the grate up with the crowbar, and the little foxes, still stuck, could only dangle in the wind.

It was raining and had gotten dark, but a crowd of 50 or 60 people gathered around to watch the rescue efforts. Neighbors started bringing out Vaseline (didn't work), corn oil (neither did that). The firemen discussed cutting through the grate, but that would have certainly cut through the foxes' necks.

Finally, someone brought out a bottle of Dawn dish detergent, which got the foxes' necks slippery enough for Stone to poke their ears through the holes. Their heads popped out into a fireman's arms below.

"Every time I tried to poke their heads through, they were biting at me — thank goodness I had my bite-proof gloves!" Stone says. "At one point, I thought I was going to lose one of them, he was kind of listless, but he perked up when I poked his head. The mother was screaming from her den the whole time."

Stone put the foxes into a dog crate and walked them up to the den, where she returned them to their mother, who had been visiting her cubs and had dropped a little dead mouse beside the grate, possibly in an attempt to feed them.

The foxes, covered in soap, and suffering from some stiff necks and hunger, were otherwise fine and didn't need to be rehabilitated. Stone and the foxes' neighbors have been by the grate several times just to make sure no other little heads are stuck there — though Stone doubts she'll ever see anything like that again.

"Everybody that got to the scene just turned their necks a little and went, 'Huh?'" Stone says. " To have three of them, looking up — this ranks right up at the top of events in my career."

YES YES YES Encourage your representatives and senators to SUPPORT H.R. 5092

2010-04-23T13:47:00.002-04:00

The HSUS Calls on Congress to Enact New Law Aimed at Cracking Down on Cruel ‘Crush’ Videos

H.R. 5092 introduced with bipartisan support of more than 50 original cosponsors

The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund urge Congress to work quickly to provide law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on traffickers of animal "crush" videos by passing H.R. 5092. Introduced on Wednesday by Reps. Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., James Moran, D-Va., Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., and more than 50 other Representatives, this narrowly-crafted statute is designed to end the intentional crushing, burning, drowning and impaling of puppies, kittens and other animals for the depraved purpose of peddling videos of such extreme acts of animal cruelty for the sexual titillation of viewers.

H.R. 5092 was introduced immediately in response to yesterday's Supreme Court ruling in U.S. v. Stevens. The Court ruled that a law introduced by Rep. Gallegly and signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1999, the Depiction of Animal Cruelty Act, was "overbroad" and might capture depictions protected by the First Amendment. The Court acknowledged the long history of animal protection laws in the United States and left open a pathway for Congress to pass a more targeted law aimed at "extreme animal cruelty."

Before the 1999 law was enacted, there were approximately 3,000 of these horrific videos available in the marketplace, selling for up to $300 apiece. That market all but disappeared soon after the law was passed, but since a federal appellate court declared the law unconstitutional in July 2008, crush videos have again proliferated on the Internet.

"Congress should act quickly to enact this legislation to prevent some of the most extreme forms of animal cruelty I have ever seen," said Wayne Pacelle, president & CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "Anyone who has seen the clips of women in high heels literally crushing small animals will understand the urgency in passing a bill to prevent the sale of these vile images."

"Violence is not a First Amendment issue; it is a law enforcement issue," Rep. Elton Gallegly said. "Ted Bundy and Ted Kaczynski tortured or killed animals before killing people. The FBI, U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice consider animal cruelty to be one of the early warning signs of potential violence by youths. This bill is one step toward ending this cycle of violence."

"I refuse to stand by while people profit from the mutilation and torture of helpless puppies, kittens and other animals." said Rep. Jim Moran. "I look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Gallegly to respond to this decision while preserving the constitutional freedoms all Americans hold dear."

"Animal cruelty is not something to celebrate and circulate online," said Rep. Earl Blumenauer. "On the heels of yesterday's Supreme Court decision, we're taking immediate and bipartisan action to protect animals without infringing on the right to free speech. The bottom line is that we need to protect animals from being tortured or killed in a manner that is criminal or morally reprehensible. No one should be allowed to profit from so-called crush videos or other images of animal cruelty."

The following 56 Representatives are original cosponsors of H.R. 5092:

Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md.

Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore.

Mary Bono-Mack, R-Calif.

Kevin Brady, R-Texas

Henry Brown, R-S.C.

Dan Burton, R-Ind.

John Campbell, R-Calif.

Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

Lois Capps, D-Calif.

Mike Castle, R-Del.

Howard Coble, R-N.C.

Steve Cohen, D-Tenn.

Susan Davis, D-Calif.

Bill Delahunt, D-Mass.

Mike Doyle, D-Pa.

Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo.

Sam Farr, D-Calif.

Bob Filner, D-Calif.

Randy Forbes, R-Va.

Trent Franks, R-Ariz.

Elton Gallegly, R-Calif.

Jim Gerlach, R-Pa.

John Hall, R-Texas

Phil Hare, D-Ill.

Rush Holt, D-N.J.

Steve Israel, D-N.Y.

Dale Kildee, D-Mich.

Peter King, R-N.Y.

Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio

Jerry Lewis, R-Calif.

John Lewis, D-Ga.

John Linder, R-Ga.

Frank LoBiondo, R-N.J.

Buck McKeon, R-Calif.

Gary Miller, R-Calif.

Jeff Miller, R-Fla.

Gwen Moore, D-Wis.

Jim Moran, D-Va.

John Olver, D-Mass.

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla.

Steven Rothman, D-N.J.

Ed Royce, R-Calif.

Linda Sanchez, D-Calif.

Loretta Sanchez, D-Calif.

Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill.

Adam Schiff, D-Calif.

Aaron Schock, R-Ill.

Brad Sherman, D-Calif.

Lamar Smith, R-Texas

Betty Sutton, D-Ohio

Fred Upton, R-Mich.

Diane Watson, D-Calif.

Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y.

Ed Whitfield, R-Ky.

Joe Wilson, R-S.C.

Frank Wolf, R-Va.

Kitty learns that just because your head fits it doesn't mean that YOU will!

2010-04-21T11:28:00.000-04:00

Mimi's note: This cat doesn't know how lucky she was because had her head not gotten caught in the drain grate, she would have fallen through and probably have died in the sewer system.

PetsPeople.com To say Emme the cat has a wild streak is an understatement. According to her owner, LeeAnn Spiess, the four-legged fur ball has always had a flair for the dramatic.

The sneaky shorthaired grey cat has a history of being locked in a neighbor's basement and even wound up in the back of a delivery truck, taking a joy ride throughout her home state of Massachusetts.

"This is a cat who came to our door several years ago starving and skinny," Spiess tells PEOPLEPets.com.

That was about 10 years ago, and Emme (named for her beautiful emerald green eyes) has been on mischievous adventures ever since.

"She just wants to get out," Spiess says. "She has that hunting instinct."

Emme's latest stunt nearly cost the cat her life. On April 13, she darted out the door while Spiess was letting her dog in and never returned home. "I was convinced we lost her for good," Spiess recalls.

The next morning, a startled neighbor discovered Emme dangling from a storm drain grate just one street away from the Spiess home. Animal Control and local firefighters were called in to help rescue the terrified cat.

"They had to remove the whole grate with Emme still in it," Spiess explains. "And then transport the grate with Emme stuck in it to the animal hospital."

Not knowing whom the cat belonged to; police nicknamed her "Rubik" because the grate looked like a Rubik's Cube. Emme was safely freed from the grate, but suffered a swollen head, hypothermia and was traumatized. She was sedated and given medication during her one-night stay at ACORN Animal Hospital.

Norfolk, Mass., police say they don't know how long the cat was hanging, but they don't think foul play was a factor.

"They think she was chased by another animal and got scared," Spiess says. "I was sick. I said, 'Oh my God, that poor thing.' "

On Thursday, the horrified but relieved mother reunited with Emme at the veterinarian's office and took her home. "I just took her in my arms and she was purring up a storm. I was just so ecstatic and so happy she was okay."

Emme is doing well, resting and cuddling at home, and she seems to have changed her wild ways—at least for now.

"She has no desire to get out of the house," Spiess says. "She's certainly used several of her lives here with us, and who knows how many she's used prior."

BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court upholds the viewing and selling of CRUSH VIDEOS AND DOG FIGHT VIDEOS!

2010-04-20T16:28:00.001-04:00

Mimi's note: I am an American. I am a proud American. I love my country. With that said, I also want to state that those who are charged with upholding and interpreting our Constitution stretch what our forefathers intended TOO FAR! My heart is breaking. I can't stop crying. I rail against the Supreme Court's inhumane decision. I won't tell you what I wish for each and every one of them - democrat or republican or independent. Right now - this very minute - I AM ASHAMED to live in a country where such ignorance is held up as the foundation to our Freedom of Speech.

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court, with only one dissenting vote Tuesday, struck down a federal ban on videos that show graphic violence against animals. The ruling cheered free speech advocates, but it raised concerns that more animals will be harmed.

The justices threw out the criminal conviction of Robert Stevens of Pittsville, Va., who was sentenced to three years in prison for videos he made about pit bull fights.

The law was enacted in 1999 to limit Internet sales of so-called crush videos, which appeal to a certain sexual fetish by showing women crushing to death small animals with their bare feet or high-heeled shoes.

The videos virtually disappeared once the measure became law, the government argued. The Bush administration used the law for the first time when it indicted Stevens in 2004.

All 50 states have laws against animal cruelty, but the federal statute targeted the videos because it has been difficult to prosecute people who take part in violence against animals with a camera rolling, but not showing their faces.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, said the law goes too far. He suggested that a measure limited to crush videos might be valid.

The Humane Society of the United States said it would press Congress to adopt a narrower ban on the sale of videos showing "malicious acts of cruelty." Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., is looking at whether there is a way "to protect animal rights, which really is the main focus, without infringing on free speech," Blumenauer spokeswoman Erin Allweiss said.

In dissent, Justice Samuel Alito, a dog owner himself, said the harm animals suffer in dogfights is enough to sustain the law. Alito's dog, Zeus, a springer spaniel, is sometimes seen around the court being walked by Alito's wife, Martha-Ann.

Alito also said the ruling probably will spur new crush videos because it has "the practical effect of legalizing the sale of such videos."

Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle said hundreds of crush videos appeared on the Internet after a federal appeals court ruled in Stevens' favor in 2008. "This court ruling is going to accelerate that trend. That's why it's critical that the Congress take action," he said.

Other animal rights groups, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and 26 states also joined the Obama administration in support of the law. The government sought a ruling that treated videos showing animal cruelty like child pornography – that is, not entitled to constitutional protection.

But Roberts said the law could be read to allow the prosecution of the producers of films about hunting. And he scoffed at the administration's assurances that it would only apply the law to depictions of extreme cruelty.

"But the First Amendment protects against the government," Roberts said. "We would not uphold an unconstitutional statute merely because the government promised to use it responsibly."

Free speech advocates praised Tuesday's ruling.

"Speech is protected whether it's popular or unpopular, harmful or unharmful," said David Horowitz, executive director of the Media Coalition. The group submitted a brief siding with Stevens on behalf of booksellers, documentary film makers, theater owners, writers groups and others.

Stevens ran a business and Web site that sold videos of pit bull fights. He is among a handful of people prosecuted under the animal cruelty law, none of them for making crush videos. He noted in court papers that his sentence was 14 months longer than professional football player Michael Vick's prison term for running a dogfighting ring.

A federal judge rejected Stevens' First Amendment claims, but the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia ruled in his favor.

The administration persuaded the high court to intervene, but for the second time this year, the justices struck down a federal law on free speech grounds. In January, the court invalidated parts of a 63-year-old law aimed at limiting corporate and union involvement in political campaigns.

The case is U.S. v. Stevens, 08-769.

Leave a Facebook Message, Walmart will donate $ to ASPCA!

2010-04-20T02:32:00.000-04:00

PeoplePets.com Want to help shelter pets, but don't have the extra cash to spare? Well, after visiting freekibble.com to donate food to animals in need (for free!), head over to facebook.com/lendapaw, where Walmart and the ASPCA have joined forces to help adoptable animals everywhere in honor of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.

Once you log on to Facebook, post a message on the Lend a Paw campaign page, and Walmart will automatically donate $1 to the ASPCA — up to $100,000 total. It's an easy way to lend a hand (or paw) to our furry friends who need it most.

Cat do things a little different "down under"...

2010-04-15T14:37:00.001-04:00

PetsPeople.com It's winter in the southern hemisphere, but Melbourne's famous swimming cat doesn't mind staying out of the pool for a while — she has her baths to satisfy her love of water.

That's right, Prinny the cat relishes taking a dip now and then, and her doglike capacity to swim and be wet has produced baffled headlines the world over.

Her owner, 19-year-old Rebecca Lee, has been pleasantly surprised by all the attention. To her, 2-year-old Prinny is just another one of her swimming cats — Lee's family has another cat, Tommy, who enjoys doing a few watery laps now and then.

"Even when she was little, we used to give her baths, and she never jumped out," Lee tells PEOPLEPets.com. "And then when we got the pool, she would always hang around. It was a really hot day, I had her in my arms, and I just decided to walk her in — and she liked it!"

When one of Lee's dogs, Bandit, was experiencing back problems, she decided to try water therapy, and took him to Doggy Paddle, a hydrotherapy pool. She told the owner, Jacque Olsen, about Prinny's unique abilities, and Olsen suggested that Lee bring Prinny in with Bandit as well.

Other observers of Prinny's aquatic nature are usually just confused.

"They don't understand why a cat actually likes swimming," she says, "but they think it's really weird and cool."

BAD KITTY CATS CLUB members, come SEE what I found!

2010-04-10T10:10:00.000-04:00

I found this and couldn't resist sharing it with the mommas and daddas of the members of the BAD KITTY CATS CLUB! Isn't this adorable! You can find it for sale here at the Animal Rescue site.