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.)

Chicken soup for the panda's soul

What do you do when zoo pandas are stressed out and tired?

Feed them chicken soup!

At least, that's what a Chinese zoo is doing for two of its pandas.

Check out the story here.

Reminder about pet blessing

Hey everyone,

Just a reminder that the annual Blessing of the Animals is still set for this weekend. Here's the schedule:

- Christ the King Catholic Church (6721 Ga. 354, Pine Mtn.) - Oct. 4 - 11 a.m.

- Trinity Episcopal Church (1130 First Ave., Col.) - Oct. 5 - 3 p.m.

- St. Thomas Episcopal Church (2100 Hilton Ave., Col.) - Oct. 5 - 6 p.m.

CeCe and I are heading out to St. Thomas on Sunday. I'll be taking pictures for the blog, so make sure your pets are in their Sunday best! ;)

Vacation inside a dog

Yeah. I know it sounds weird.

But there's really a place out there where you can vacation inside a dog. The world's biggest beagle, to be exact. Check it out:


It's called Dogbark Park Inn in Cottonwood, Idaho.

My editor forwarded me this press release of pet-friendly vacation spots across the U.S., and the beagle inn was on the list.

It could be worth it to check out the other spots...if you're into nature. Most of them are resorts or ranches.

The closest on the list is probably Cabin at Seven Foxes at Lake Toxaway, North Carolina.

I've never gotten the chance to bring CeCe with me on vacation. I once asked my boyfriend if she could stay with us in North Carolina, and he promptly said "no." He said I'd just be distracted by her the whole trip.

Have you ever brought your pet with you on vacation? Was it relaxing? Or were you kept busy accomodating your pet?

Rat terrier vs. shark

I just had to post this amazing story about Jake, a rat terrier who survived a shark attack in Florida - thanks to his owner's iron fists.

http://www.miamiherald.com/505/story/707023.html

This story reminds me of those people who are able to lift two-ton vehicles to save a loved one's life.

Have you ever saved your pet from a near-death experience?

Do you think people really gain strength they never knew they had when their loved ones are in danger?

Pet of the Week: Bisquick!

Introducing today's Pet of the Week, Bisquick!


Owner Allison says this is how he actually sleeps.

Almost three years old, this Columbus kitty enjoys sleeping, eating and fetching paper balls.

In Allison's words: "He orders the staff around. He runs the house."

Haha!

E-mail me at ahernandez@ledger-enquirer.com if you want to see your pet featured as a Pet of the Week.