Fleas, be gone!

Lately I have been wanting to pull my hair out. I recently discovered a flea on CeCe. It confirmed my suspicions that she had fleas because for the past few weeks or so, she had been scratched and biting herself excessively. Where she got them, I don't know.

Getting rid of fleas - on a pet as well as within the home - is a ______! (Fill in the blank.) Thus, the desire to pull my hair out.

I went to the vet this week and purchased a CapStar pill and one Frontline treatment. Apparently, what I was giving her monthly to prevent fleas - some Hartz medication from Walmart - is pretty ineffective, according to one of the vet techs. Great.

After I gave her the medicine, I went on a crazy cleaning binge within my apartment, flea powder and everything. It's really disconcerting because you can't really see those little things, let alone their stupid eggs. But I did my best and I will probably do another sweep in the next week or two to be on the safe side.

I had to buy a second Capstar pill, and CeCe's itching has subsided.

Have any pet owners out there experienced a flea attack? What products worked for you? There were so many at Walmart but I finally settled on some flea powder for the carpet.

And what about monthly flea prevention? I am considering switching to Frontline but I heard Revolution was good, too, since it fights against heartworm as well.

Marley & Me

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Has anyone gotten the chance to see the movie Marley & Me (see photo above)? I have been reading a few reviews and I heard it's the ultimate movie for dog lovers...although it is a tearjerker, they say. And for me, sad movies - whether the Little Mermaid or the Notebook - always seem to make me emerge from the theater with a red face and wet eyes.

(Read a review from the San Francisco Chronicle here.)

It's also based on a book...anyone read the book? How does the movie compare?

I'm thinking of watching it while I'm on vacation next week in North Carolina. Yes, that's right, I'll be away all next week, so I'm going to take a little break from blogging.

Have a great New Year! See you in 2009. :)

Holiday food for thought

Excited for Christmas? Me too. I came across a couple of articles today - one sad, one happy. I thought they'd be good to share and reflect upon this holiday season.

One was about the growing number of pet food pantries across the country - and the increasing demand for their resources, considering the very bad economy. And it's not just "poor people." The story says pantries are seeing students and white-collar workers as well. Check it out here.

And then I came across an interesting story about West Coast pin-up models using their talents to help abused pit bulls. The models are selling 2009 calendars to help rescue this often stereotyped breed. Check out the article here. Here's a sneak peek as well:

Happy Holidays, everyone! Please be safe and remember to give your pets some attention during Christmas as well!

XOXO

Andrea & CeCe

Pet safety for the holidays

I hope everyone is having a great holiday season. Just a quick post to let everyone know I have an article on holiday pet safety in today's paper. You can also check it out here.

Pet adopt-a-thon

This holiday season, Paws Humane is working to find homes for 400 animals through the Iams Homes for the Holidays program. There was a big ad in the paper today featuring photos of some very handsome/pretty cats and dogs (A13.)

Their pet adopt-a-thon kicks off this weekend. If you want to bring home a loving pet like Spice, Holly or Patches (above), then call 706-565-0035 or head to Petsmart or Petco this weekend.

Check out more adoptable pets online at http://www.pawscolumbus.org/.

And I thought skunks were exotic pets...

I came across this article today about exotic pets being confiscated from suspected Mexican drug dealers.

And when I say exotic, I mean pets like tigers, zebras and giraffes - animals you see at the zoo.

The problem is, when these pets are confiscated, authorities don't really have a place to put them. Mexican zoos have taken them in, but it's really becoming an issue (space-wise.)

It amazes me how ostentatious these alleged dealers are with their possessions...no wonder they get arrested.

Submit holiday photos

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Has anyone gone to any of the various "pet photos with Santa" events in the Chattahoochee Valley? Or has Fido starred in a holiday photo shoot at your home recently?

Then why not share your pet holiday photos with Girl's Best Friend readers?

E-mail me photos at ahernandez@ledger-enquirer.com and I'll post them on the blog!

Understanding CeCe's barks

I will admit it. Talking to my dog CeCe is something I do on the regular. I'm sure all you other pet owners do, too!

But do you understand your pets when they "talk" to you?

The Associated Press recently did a poll that shows 67 percent of pet owners believe they understand their pet's barks, purrs, etc. About 62 percent of owners said when they speak, their pets understand them as well.

Check out the story here.

I think when I speak to CeCe, she understands basic things, such as "Sit," "Go in the cage," "Who wants a treat?" and "Want to sleep on the bed?" I think that's because I've repeated key words in those sentences before (ex. bed, cage, treat.)

But when I try to engage her in a conversation about who she abhors the most on MTV's The Hills (Heidi or Spencer?), she typically cocks her head to the side and gives me a quizzical look.

(Or maybe she just can't decide between Heidi and Spencer.)

How about you? Do you feel you understand your pet's "language"? And do you think they understand you?

Custody battles over pets

For anyone who has gone through divorce, I've heard 99.9 percent of the time it's not pretty.

Figuring out who gets the house, cars, furniture - that's standard stuff. But how do you deal when a soon-to-be-ex-spouse wants custody of your baby?

And by baby, I mean your dog or cat.

My girl Sonya sent me this article about the trend of custody battles over Fido.

To someone who isn't an animal lover, this could all seem ridiculous. But like I've said before, nowadays, pets are like children to some owners...scratch that, pets ARE children to some owners.

What do y'all think? Have any of you been in this situation before? At the end of the day, who got the pet(s)?

Celebrity pets & more

Being the celebrity news junkie that I am, I recently came across a new Web site for pets, courtesy of People magazine. It's www.peoplepets.com. It's pretty basic (for now, I'm guessing,) but I did find the picture above in one of the photo galleries. It's Sylvester Stallone...holding a small dog like it's bottled water. I'm really hoping that the dog is a figurine of some sort...

Call-out for pet foster parents

Any foster parents out there who take in homeless animals on the regular?

I'm working on a story about foster pet parents and I'd love to hear your story if you are.

Please e-mail me at ahernandez@ledger-enquirer.com if you're interested.

Oh! And some great news...I was just informed that the two dogs I mentioned in a previous post, Dakota and Roxy, have found a home! The people who were temporarily caring for them fell in love and are keeping them.

Collie freezes to sidewalk

Speaking of cold weather and pets...

One of my girlfriends forwarded me this article from the local paper in Sheboygan, Wis. (aka a very cold place.)

A border collie FROZE to the sidewalk. Luckily, the dog survived because it was "morbidly obese" and its layers of fat helped insulate him.

Seriously.

What kind of owner...?!?!

This ain't no NYC, but...

...it's really cold outside! I really don't like this kind of weather...strange coming from a Jersey girl who should be used to it.

Chances are, if you're cold, your pet probably is, too. So warm them up!

Here's a helpful article from weather.com about winter pet care. It's particularly pertinent for those pet owners who leave their dogs outside.

Another opportunity with Santa

There are so many opportunities this holiday season for your pet to meet Santa!

Here's another one, this time at Second Avenue Animal Hospital:

If you bring in five (5) canned goods for the Valley Rescue Mission or buy a holiday gift, you'll get one (1) pet photo with Santa. You can also buy additional prints for $2 each.

Photos are printed on the spot, and you get them in a holiday photo card. Free treat with every photo.

Dates: Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 13 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Sign up for a time slot here.

Find a home for Dakota & Roxy

Hey everyone,

A colleague of mine forwarded me the following message about two local dogs looking for a home (preferably together.) E-mail me at ahernandez@ledger-enquirer.com if you want the contact number.

We had a good friend, Randy, pass away recently, leaving behind two wonderful dogs. Randy was a regular customer and friend for years.

These dogs have been indoor dogs and loved very much. They are very happy and obedient pets. Dakota and Roxy are the kind of dogs that don't need to be on a leash, you can let them out and they will not run off. They are house broken and love kids.

Hopefully these dogs will not have to be split apart or taken to the pound, as Randy's family in New York can not care for them.

Dakota is the brown lab Tonya and I gave Randy when she was a puppy, and he did a wonderful job of raising her with love. She is 4 1/2 years old.

Her "sister", Roxy the black lab, has been a great mentor for her and is 6 1/2 years of age. They have been taken to the vet regularly and are up to date on all their shots.

Randy was a very kind and generous man, and would want nothing more than to find these dogs a great home. Please help us fulfill what I am sure was one of his last wishes to find these dogs a home that they deserve. PREFERABLY TOGETHER.

Thank you for your help and contact me with any questions.

Canyon Bowie
grandcanyon@mchsi.com

Allergic to pets? That's OK

I came across this CNN article today about people who keep pets even though they're allergic.

It made me think of my uncle in California. He and my aunt own a 9+ year old German Shepherd named Duvalle. Duvalle is the most well-behaved dog I've ever met. He and my uncle are inseparable. They don't have any kids so Duvalle is their baby.

Anyway, recently, after 9+ years with Duvalle, my uncle developed an allergy to dogs. Shocking, I know. Giving Duvalle up was not an option. So my aunt and uncle had all the carpet in their condo replaced with hardwood so there wouldn't be so much pet dander. My uncle also started taking medicine to tame his allergies.

I probably would do the same thing if I ever found out I was allergic to CeCe.

What about you all? Do you keep pets even though you're allergic? How do you deal?

More pet photos with Santa

PETCO is offering photos with Santa this holiday season.

You can bring your pet in Saturday, Dec. 6 or Dec. 13, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

It's $8.95 plus tax for a 4" by 6" photo and frame. $5 from each photo will go toward homeless pets.

PETCO in Columbus is located in Columbus Park Crossing, 5555 Whittlesey Blvd., next to Kohl's and Dick's Sporting Goods.

Petland puppy mill allegations

Recently a reader forwarded me an MSNBC news story about Petland, the national pet store chain, allegedly selling dogs raised under deplorable conditions at puppy mills.

The investigation was done by the Humane Society of the United States. The group says 21 Petland stores and a number of breeders and brokers were involved.

Read the full story and check out video here.

Petland has responded to the allegations on their Web site. Check it out here.

What do y'all think? Do you think the HSUS video is not legitimate? Or do you think there's a possibility Petland could be using puppy mills?

Thanksgiving precautions

I am pretty excited for Thanksgiving. For the past two years, I've had to stay in town to cover Black Friday shopping the day after Thanksgiving. This year, I FINALLY get to spend the holiday with my family. I'll be in D.C. the whole weekend, but I'll try to update as much as I can.

CeCe, unfortunately, is going to be boarding. :( But I should be getting text message and photo updates of her, according to the people at the kennel. I hope she isn't too lonely on Thanksgiving!

I am friends with 2nd Avenue Animal Hospital on Myspace and recently, they sent out a bulletin on Thanksgiving precautions. So if your pet is spending the holiday with you, check this message out from 2nd Ave.:

Hello Everyone,

We wanted to remind every pet owner to swing by your local grocery store and pick up a few special food items for your dogs & cats for thanksgiving.

Every year, thousands of animals are rushed to emergency clinics and animal hospitals around the nation within a few days of Thanksgiving.

All too often the foods that we enjoy & share with our companion animals will give them diarrhea and cause them to vomit.

Remember: DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOGS or CATS Turkey or turkey bones this Thanksgiving!!!!

Every Year, EVERY animal hospital has at least one large or small breed dog come in after Thanksgiving with splintered bones protruding through his or her stomach lining into other organs, or stuck in the intestinal walls causing a bowel system shut down or blockage.(and this is BARELY an exaggeration)

If you want to make your pets a special dish for Thanksgiving, try making some white rice & boiled chicken breast (be sure there are no bones or spices present).

Keep canned dog & cat foods on hand and you can make them their own special Thanksgiving dinner!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SECOND AVENUE ANIMAL HOSPITAL!!!

4025 2nd Avenue
Columbus GA 31904

706-507-7297

Animal Resource Campus photos

As promised, here are more photos from the Animal Resource Campus tour, courtesy of the L-E's Joe Paull.

Pet photos with Santa

Santa Clause is coming to town...and he wants to meet your pets.

Peachtree Mall is hosting St. Nick's Pet Pics every Monday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bring your pets so they can sit on Santa's lap and take a picture.

Prices vary. Call 706-327-1578.

One more thing...my story on the new PAWS Humane Center (yes, PAWS and the Muscogee County Humane Society have merged) is in today's paper. Check it out online and you can see photos and video from our tour. Here's the link.

*New* Columbus Animal Resource Campus!

So I went on a tour yesterday of the new Columbus Animal Resource Campus on Milgen Road. That's where PAWS and Animal Control are now located.

All I have are three words to describe it: Oh. Em. Gee.

You HAVE to go to their grand opening tomorrow. It is AMAZING in there. Total upgrade from their old facilities up on Sacerdote Lane near the state prison. I spoke to Executive Director Donna Rex and she said a lot of the animals are already displaying behavior they would if they were in an actual home, not a shelter. And I could totally see that when I toured the place. The dogs seemed so much happier and less frightened than your stereotypical pound puppy.

Here's the 411 on tomorrow event:

What: PAWS Humane Grand Opening

When: Saturday, Nov. 22, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Where: 4900 Milgen Rd., Columbus (shuttle buses leave from Cooper Creek Park)

They'll have animals for adoption, facility tours and door prizes/giveaways. They also ask that you don't bring any of your own pets to the event.

I'll have an article running in tomorrow's paper, so be sure to check that out! Oh, and L-E multimedia whiz Joe Paull tagged along on the tour. He took some great shots so I'll post photos here soon.

Fat cats and dumpy dogs

Sooooo is your mouth hanging open like mine was when I saw this pic? This is Tinks, a 13-year-old cat from England. He weighs about 9.8 kilograms, or about 22 pounds (he totally looks like he weighs more!)

He's one of the eight participants in a Celebrity Fit Club-type contest...only it's for pets.

Check out the article here.

I just don't understand how some pet owners let their babies reach obesity. It's really not fair to these animals because it can introduce some serious health risks.

One of the recommended solutions? Don't give your pet human food. Here's another article on the dangers of doing so. It's particularly pertinent since the holidays are coming up...you know Fido will be staring longingly at those turkey legs, but like the article says, you must resist!

Fort Benning dog park

Have any of you brought your dogs to the dog park at Fort Benning?

CeCe and I were able to visit the park this weekend, thanks to my girl Lily, whose husband is in the military. She brought along her "little" man Dave, a Weimaraner.

If any of you pet owners ever get the chance to do so, I would highly recommend it - especially if your dog loves other dogs. There were probably 10 others canines there, of all sizes.

I seriously felt like a mother watching her kid at the playground. CeCe gets really excited when she sees other dogs and loves to play - sometimes a little too rough. She also loves to jump on people - which some may not like. I kept scolding her whenever she'd act out, but it's like she went deaf as soon as we entered the park.

Here are some tips I found on dog park etiquette.

Now all Columbus has to do is get a dog park as well!

If you missed it...

Just in case you missed it, here's the link to my interview with Carolyn Morris of the Developing Canine.

Enjoy!

Animal Thanksgiving

Here's a pretty cool event that you might want to check out tomorrow: Animal Thanksgiving at the Parks at Chehaw.

You can mix up treats for zoo animals, build homes for backyard wildlife and more at the Albany zoo Sunday.

Best of all, it's free!

Find out more info here in Katie Holland's Ledger-Enquirer story.

The Developing Canine

As promised, here is some video from my visit to The Developing Canine. Owner Carolyn Morris demonstrates basic obedience with her two-year-old hound mix, Sunshine.

Sunshine is the sweetest! Make sure to check out my story on Carolyn tomorrow at www.ledger-enquirer.com. It'll also be in the business section of the print edition as well. Carolyn gives some great tips for dog owners of the unruliest pets - or so they think!

Bald dog

Yes, everyone, this is a dog. It's called the Peruvian Hairless Dog, and our South American brothers and sisters are now suggesting the Obamas take one in. Malia is allergic to most dog breeds, and with this little guy right here, that wouldn't be a problem.

Check out the Yahoo News article here, which also has a link to more photos of this bald breed.

So...what do you think of the Peruvian Hairless Dog? I can't imagine what it would be like petting CeCe if she were just...skin.

Fall ball and interviews

L-E photographer Robin Trimarchi took some great action shots of Kira, a 4-year-old Weimaraner, and Brecon, an 11-month-old mastiff, playing at Lakebottom Park Monday. They're not online, but you can check it out in today's print edition of the Ledger-Enquirer (the photos are on the front of the local section.)

Today, I'll be interviewing Carolyn Morris of the Developing Canine (www.thedevelopingcanine.com) for an "On the Job" profile that will run in the business section Thursday. I'm looking forward to it! She'll be demonstrating some training techniques with her dog, Sunshine. I'm bringing my camcorder along so you guys will be able to check it out, too. I'll post the video here as soon as possible, so make sure to check back!

Animal deaths on airplanes

How shady is this?

Airline loophole: Many animals' deaths not tallied

Airlines should be held accountable for ANY "accidental" death involving animals on their planes...whether they are considered pets or not.

The idea of animals being placed in a plane's cargo section has never sat well with me. Imagine the emotional trauma that causes a pet. I have never traveled on an airplane with CeCe and I don't think I ever will. There's just something wrong about me sitting in an airplane seat while she's in a crate below me next to some luggage. I'd worry the whole time (as if I don't worry enough!)

Have you ever traveled with a pet on an airplane? What was that like? Or do you refuse to let your pet on board? How come?

Barking for a Cure

Did you know that dogs can get breast cancer?

It's true. I didn't know that until I received an informative e-mail this week from 2nd Avenue Animal Hospital.

They're hosting the event "Barking for a Cure" this Saturday, Nov. 8. Here's the 411:

BARKING FOR A CURE
What: 2-mile walk with your dog
Where: The Riverwalk
When: Sat., Nov. 8, between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. (meet at 2nd Avenue Animal Hospital, located at 4025 2nd Avenue in Columbus, at 1 p.m.)
Why: To help support a female puppy-spaying program (spaying young dogs reduces the chance of developing breast cancer)
Cost: Donation of at least $5. You'll receive a free bandana.
For more 411: Call 706-507-7297

If you register ASAP for the walk, you will receive a free mammary tumor exam on your pet as well.

To read up on mammary tumors in dogs, click here.

Loving Bullmastiffs

Joe and Ploy of Columbus submitted these ADORABLE pictures of their Bullmastiffs, Jasmine and Maggie! Don't you just love this picture of them cuddling?!

Pictured below is Jasmine, who is 7 months old. As her owner Ploy says, got to love that face!
Maggie, a 7-month-old Bullmastiff, is pictured below! Ploy says: "She was having a Braveheart moment and decided to paint her face with mud to get ready for battle."
Awwwwww! LoL!

If you want your pet featured on Girl's Best Friend, e-mail me at ahernandez@ledger-enquirer.com.

A new puppy for the Obamas

Hey everyone! I am super tired from covering the elections last night...I didn't get home until about 2 a.m. this morning and am not feeling so well today.

Anyway, if you have been living under a rock, news flash: Barack Obama has been elected president of the U.S.! I know, I know, this is a blog about pets. The reason I bring this up is because if you watched Obama's victory speech last night, he mentioned a little something about a new pet while he was thanking his daughters:

From a CNN transcript:
"Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the new White House."

Awwwwwww!

Back in September, I blogged about pets in the White House.

And I'll pose the question again: now that the Obamas are definitely getting a new puppy, what breed would you recommend the family?

Dog show participants

Last week, the Ledger-Enquirer invited several dogs to our studio for a photo shoot. (These were dogs that participated in last Saturday's dog show.) L-E videographer Joe Paull was able to snap some shots of these "models" on their way out. Enjoy!

From left to right: Suzie Q, Emma and Johnny
From left to right: Robert and Lily

Vote-casting pets

Happy Election Day!

I'll be the 3,403,129,967th person to remind you to go vote today, if you haven't already. Polls close at 7 p.m.

That being said, Charles Memminger, a blogger for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, posted a pretty interesting blurb today...he mentions a lady named Tammy Kubo who is conducting an online poll for pets: "If pets could vote - Are you a Doggie Mama for Obama or a K9 for McCain?"

I think you'd be surprised by the results.

Check out the blog here and Tammy's Web site here.

Columbus Kennel Club annual dog show

Don't forget today is the Columbus Kennel Club's annual dog show! You can bring leashed dogs even if they're not participating in the show.

Click here for Sandra Okamoto's story on the annual event.

ATL pet events this weekend

Happy Halloween, everyone!

I was on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Web site today and I found a couple of upcoming pet events in the Atlanta area. Here's the 411 and descriptions from the Web site:

Cotton States Cat Show
"This 70th annual CFA championship and household pet cat show has eight rings where cats are being judged as well as vendors, agility demonstrations and a kitty costume contest."
Sat, 11/1 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sun, 11/2 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097
$7 adults, $5 children 12 and younger
Call 770-813-7600 for more info. Call 404-249-6400 for tickets.

Woofstock
"This pet-centric evening has live music, food, a silent auction, vendors, a pet psychic and the auctioning of a professionally trained PAWS Atlanta dog. Attire is hippie elegance. Sponsored by Jabula Dog Academy, the evening's proceeds go toward a new training center at PAWS Atlanta to help prepare the dogs for adoption."
Sun, 11/2 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
LITKitchen, 433c Bishop St., Atlanta, GA 30318
$35 in advance, $45 at the door
For more info, call 770-593-1155 or visit www.pawsatlanta.org.

I'll be in Columbus this weekend - definitely going out for Halloween tonight! CeCe will be a green dragon again this year. I can't really tell if she likes dressing up or not. I put the costume on her last night and she went - to borrow Bridget's term from "The Girl's Next Door" - "dogatonic." LoL...get it?!

OK. I'll stop.

Have a great weekend!

Halloween safety

Hey everyone!

I know I keep talking about Halloween (sorry, it's actually one of my favorite holidays!), but here's just one more article on Halloween pet safety.

Just remember, chocolate = bad. (At my house, that goes for humans and animals.)

Also, I forgot to provide a link to our Ledger-Enquirer photo gallery of Saturday's costume contest at Petland! A chihuahua named LiL Bit took first place as a "beggar"...it's hilarious! Go to http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/galleries/ and scroll down to "Photo gallery from Petland Costume Contest."

More photos from Joe Paull

L-E photographer Joe Paull has sent me more cute photos. This time, it's pictures of B, a 3-year-old Great Dane. B was at a birthday party Joe's daughter, Josie, attended.

He said B would bark every time Joe's camera snapped to take shots. Can't you totally imagine her letting out a throaty bark? So cute!

Foster parents

Fostering pets: have you ever thought about it?

Here's an informative article on fostering from Web Vet.

I don't think I'm in the situation to even think about fostering. I live in an apartment - and they have rules. Maybe if I lived in a house with a large backyard...husband and kids...more stability.

Are you a foster parent for animals? What made you decide to become one? What's it like? Is it hard knowing the pet isn't staying with you permanently...and one day you may give him/her up?

Healing power of pets

Check out this USA Today story about the healing power of animals.

Like the writer asked, have you ever felt comforted by a pet while you were seriously ill? Do you believe that animals can help you heal? If you're really sick, do you think it's worth the risk?

Iraqi dog rescued, brought to the U.S.

This is the sweetest story ever.

Ratchet, an Iraqi dog adopted by a U.S. soldier overseas, was reunited with her owner in Minneapolis last week.

The military had confiscated the dog from soldier Gwen Beberg as she was heading home to the U.S. Oct. 1.

After the story garnered international attention through the internet (even the attention of Minnesota Congress members,) the military finally agreed to let Ratchet come to the U.S.

Read more of the story here.

Cat show coming to the ATL

The CFA International Cat Show is coming to Atlanta Nov. 21-23. According to my AAA magazine, the event, which will be held at the Georgia International Convention Center, is "the largest international pedigree cat show in the Western Hemisphere, showcasing the world's finest felines."

There's a little more information on the show at the Cat Fanciers' Association Web site: www.cfa.org (click on "Cat Shows" on the left and then "Show Schedule" on the top left.)

Local folks interested in entering their cat in the competition can fill out an entry form online.

Good ol' country dog

L-E videographer Joe Paull sent me another cool photo, this time of a "good ol' country dog" he saw at a local gas station.
Joe said Mr. Country didn't look as scary in real life and was quite calm.

Anyway, just wanted to remind everyone of all the cool pet events going on this weekend. If you scroll down you can read more about the two Atlanta pet events and the fall festival at 2nd Avenue Animal Hospital in Columbus. Also, don't forget the Halloween costume contest for pets at Petland. I posted that a while ago, so here's the info again:

What: Halloween Pet Costume Contest

Where: Petland, 5592 Whitesville Rd., Columbus, Ga.

When: Saturday, Oct. 25, 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

For more info: 706-321-9921

Have a great weekend!

Atlanta pet events this weekend

For those who will be in Atlanta this weekend, or may want to head up:

PugFest 2008
It's the Southeast Pug Rescue & Adoption's annual fundraiser. There will be a pug contest, microchipping, silent auction, pug parade, costume contest and more. Click here for more information.

Dogtoberfest
It's ParkGrounds' first annual fundraiser for PAWS Atlanta and the Reynoldstown Civic Improvement League. Doggie games, "My Pooch for President" costume contest, microchipping, silent auction, adoptions and more. Click here for more information.

Introducing cats to other pets

A month or two ago I took a tour of Allied Cats here in Columbus. They're a nonprofit trap/neuter/release program for feral cats, but they also put a limited number of kitties up for adoption.

I totally fell in love. There were so many beautiful cats over there! I've never really considered adopting a cat before - part of the reason is I'm allergic. But my friend's mother is a cat owner who takes allergy meds each day (she's allergic as well) so she can keep her three babies. She also owns a dog (Boston terrier!)

Of course, when I thought about the possibility of one day adopting a cat, I also thought of CeCe. She loves all creatures, but sometimes the creatures don't love her back (lol.)

I found this Yahoo Pets article on introducing an adopted cat to other pets. It gives some pretty good tips on an introduction "in stages."

Have you ever brought a cat home to other pets? How did the cat react? How did your other pets react? Have they been able to live peacefully? If so, how did you do it? If not, what did you do to resolve the situation?

Columbus Kennel Club match

Just got word that the Columbus Kennel Club is having a "match" (dog show?) on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the North Highland Assembly of God (near Columbus Park Crossing.) Well-behaved dogs always amaze me (or make me a little envious!)

It's not too late to register your purebred dogs. The deadline is Oct. 29.

They're also going to have other cool things going on besides the match, such as a blessing of the animals, microchip clinic and canine costume contest.

For all the information, click on this link.

Pet photos

Ledger-Enquirer videographer/photographer Joe Paull is pretty cool. He's even cooler when he takes pictures of local dogs for this blog.

Here are some of his latest contributions:

Above: Mae, a 5-year-old female Golden Retriever

Above: Cleo, a 7-year-old female Mastiff

Fall (Pet) Festival!

I've come across another local pet event for the Halloween season. This time it's being hosted by 2nd Avenue Animal Hospital (which is actually where CeCe was boarded while I was in Atlanta this past weekend.)

I went to their grand opening celebration a few months ago and it definitely did not disappoint. CeCe was especially happy because she won a stuffed goose.

Here's the 411:

Pet Spotlight: Lex Luthor!

Reader Chris Anness of Columbus recently e-mailed me some photos of his family's ADORABLE dog, Lex Luthor.

Chris says they think Lex Luthor is mixed with chihuahua and pomeranian. He's less than a year old.

Here is Lex Luthor's story, according to Chris:

"So one day we decided to take the family for a walk at Flat Rock Park, last fall. It was a beautiful day and the park was pretty empty. We started walking along the creek, from the pond and working our way towards the entrance. Once we arrived at the slippery falls near the top of the park, Luthor noticed a grand opportunity to meet some companionship across the fall. Being the risk takers we are, we ventured across the top of the waterfall, several feet above the fall itself. Untethered of course...

Needless to say, with Luthor's lack of weight and height, the water swept him off his feet and over the fall! Then another and down the rock face he slid. Only to recover on his feet and slide the rest of the way down. Of course, I hurried down the fall while avoiding getting wet to attempt to recover him. After shaking off the excitement of it all, he quickly recovered and returned to dry land. Surprisingly the family managed to take some amazing action photos of it all."

Total superhero! (Dog and owners!)

New Halloween pet event!

This just in: my colleague Sandra tells me that there will be a Spooky Poochie Parade in Columbus for Halloween!

If you want to join in on the fun, here's the 411:

What: Spooky Poochie Parade

Where: Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Rd.

When: Oct. 30, 3-5 p.m.

Cost: $10 per dog

For more info: 706-243-0044

All proceeds will go to the Alzheimer's Association.

One ill owner, 32 cats

Hey everyone!

Sorry I haven't been updating as much. There are a few newspaper stories I've been working on and that has been keeping me busy. But they are all due at the end of the week so I should be good soon enough. I have a very cool pet story I've been wanting to work on...that process should begin next week! Yay!

Switching gears a little...I read a very sad story today about an anonymous donor who gave up her 32 cats to five vet clinics across the Chattahoochee Valley. The anonymous lady is dying from cancer and did not want her kitties to be left without a home or worse, put to sleep when she passes.

You can read the full story here.

The good news is that most of the cats have found new homes.

I don't really like talking about death, but if you knew you were going to pass on tomorrow, what would you do with your pet? Give them to a family member or friend? Send them to the animal shelter? Or maybe put them to sleep? (I know the last option is a horrible thought but I once spoke to a pet owner who said her dog would not be happy living on Earth without her...so she would put have him put to sleep after she passed.)

Watch out for these pets...

For parents who have thought about getting your child a no-fuss hamster or turtle, you may want to think again.

I found this list of eight pets that pose major health threat to kids. The list includes iguanas, snakes, and hedgehogs.

OK, come on, I think prickly hedgehogs were a no-brainer.

I think with any pet that's able to be domesticated - whether it's a lizard or a dog - you just have to be responsible. Wash your hands. Wipe your pet down when he/she comes inside. Clean the fish tank or cage.

Like the writer said, work on infection prevention.

But maybe that won't work for African gambian rats or raccoons. (Seriously...African gambian rats or raccoons?! Domestication may not even be an option.)

Halloween for pets

Halloween is just around the corner, and I'm sure ALL of you are dressing your pets up...right?

I dressed CeCe up as a green dragon last year.

Some of my friends said dressing her up was "cruel." I think she looked cute!

I was recently informed that Petland is holding a Halloween costume contest for pets. Here's the 411:

What: Halloween Pet Costume Contest

Where: Petland, 5592 Whitesville Rd., Columbus, Ga.

When: Saturday, Oct. 25, 12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

For more info: 706-321-9921

If you know of any other Halloween events for pets, e-mail me at ahernandez@ledger-enquirer.com.

No more Pet of the Week

I hate to say this, but due to lack of participation, I'm going to have to discontinue the Pet of the Week feature on Wednesdays. :(

BUT...I will still post pictures and stories that local pet owners send me. It just won't be on a regular basis. So please, please, please feel free to e-mail me at ahernandez@ledger-enquirer.com!

Pet blessing pics

So CeCe and I went to the pet blessing this past weekend at St. Thomas. It was great - lots of pets and beautiful prayers. CeCe was showing out, as I had expected. She would not behave throughout the whole service! She gets really excited when she sees other dogs. She'll pull on her leash and make these really loud breathing noises - which attracted some attention. I just had to let her burn off some energy at the park afterward.

Anyway, here are some pics from Sunday's event:

L-E photographer Shannon Szwarc dropped in at the pet blessing at Trinity Episcopal Church. He took some great shots - check them out at www.ledger-enquirer.com (under the "PHOTOS" tab.)