PetSmart Charities Spring National Adoption Weekend

Thinking about bringing home a new furry friend?

Adopt one!

PetSmart Charities is holding their Spring National Adoption Weekend this weekend, and the local PetSmart on Bradley Park Drive is participating.

I called and was informed it'll be going on Friday, 4-10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. They'll have adoptable pets from all over the region.

Help PetSmart meet their goal - they're trying to find homes for more than 13,800 homeless pets.

For more information, click here.

Our local PetSmart is located at 1591 Bradley Park Dr., next to Target. Call 706-323-6788 for more information.

Can pets catch the swine flu?

Supposedly not...so far.

Read more here.

Humans can stay healthy if they follow some common-sense tips from the CDC. Check those out here.

Georgia vets to help service animals

More than 60 vets in Georgia plan to donate 10 percent of their gross receipts May 5 (next Tuesday) for service animals owned by disabled folks and pet owners with financial hardships.

Check out a short L-E post here.

Not sure if any Columbus area vets are doing this, but it would be worth asking them. If local vets want to participate, they can contact the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association office at 678-309-9800.

Happy (Belated) Earth Day

I apologize for posting an Earth Day-related thing a day after, but I found some great tips online for reducing your pets' carbon paw print - something you can do year-round.

Check out this piece from the Houston Chronicle.

Sprinkling yeast/garlic on a dog's food as a flea repellant sounds pretty interesting. Even though CeCe's breath could get stinkier, I actually might try it.

Pet airline ready for take off

Hey y'all...sorry it's been a while. I've been out of town/entertaining guests for the past two weekends and have been trying to catch up at work. The good thing is the first weekend, CeCe got to spend time with her "daddy" (my boyfriend was visiting from out of town - haha) and the second weekend, she got to run and play with other dogs at the kennel (my vet recently got the backyard fence completed.)

Speaking of being out of town, I came across some stories that a new pet airline is scheduled to launch this summer. Pet Airways, based in Delray Beach, Fla., will fly to regional airports in five major cities - NYC, LA, Denver, DC and Chicago. (Sorry, none in Atlanta.)

It's only for dogs and cats who don't want to ride in the cargo hold (or at least, whose owners don't want them to.) Average fare for each pet is about $250 each way.

Read more about the airlines here.

My question is...if this service was available at the Columbus or Atlanta airport, would you use it? I know I've expressed my fear about letting CeCe fly in the cargo area, but $500 to fly roundtrip? Those planes better have a four poster bed and Evian water for her!

Obama dog

So Bo is pretty cute!

If you haven't heard, the Obamas debuted their new puppy Bo, a Portuguese water dog, to the world yesterday.

The Obamas had been deliberating over a family dog for many months. If you recall, I posted something about it in January (click here) - totally routing for the Portuguese water dog over the labradoodle.

Check out this YouTube video of Bo in action.

And here's an Associated Press story about Bo's arrival.

Free kitties

My L-E colleague Sandra Okamoto just e-mailed the newsroom about a mama cat who recently gave birth to three adorable kitties! They're looking for forever homes. Here is Sandra's e-mail:

Everyone,

A mama cat brought her three kittens, one by one, to our covered driveway yesterday. A neighbor wondered where she was taking them and came to our house. He had been feeding the mama and brought over a sack of food. I guess she scouted out the neighborhood and liked what she saw at our house. Even Piiko barking at her hasn’t fazed her.

My mother and I have been feeding her since yesterday.

The kittens look like they are about three weeks old and they are absolutely gorgeous. Mama’s gorgeous, too. One kitten is a dark smoky gray, another is yellow and the third is a tabby. I know all kittens and putties are gorgeous, but these are truly beautiful.

If you’re interested, or know someone who might want a cat, please let me know. Otherwise, we’ll have to take them to PAWS. I have three dogs and you know about Chipper, my devil dog. He’s not happy that they are in our driveway, even though he never goes there. I think just the thought of it bothers him!

Sandra

E-mail her at sokamoto@ledger-enquirer.com if you' interested.

Easter event at 2nd Ave. Animal Hospital

Your pup is going to be super-busy this weekend.

Second Avenue Animal Hospital is also having an Easter event on Saturday, April 11. It's 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the hospital, which is located at 4025 2nd Ave.

They'll have an Easter egg bone hunt (hehe) and pet photos.

All doggies will receive egg prizes, but the lucky pooch who finds the special egg gets a surprise. Oh, and make sure to bring your own basket!

Call 706-507-7297 for more details.

Pup-friendly vehicles

Looking for a car that will accomodate your doggies?

USA Today recently reviewed the 2009 Honda Element, which touts a built-in bed, water bowl, pet net, cooling fans, ramps and more - things to make your pooch more comfortable in the car.

Check out the review here. Make sure you watch the video - it shows great footage of the features.

I think this is great for those interested in SUV vehicles. I wish they had a non-SUV vehicle that had these features (I'm not big on large cars.) CeCe is a small dog and she usually sits in the front seat. That kind of makes me uncomfortable because she's not secured in any way. I will admit there have been times when I've had to brake suddenly and she gets tossed around. =(

I also found this Web site called DogCars.com that reviews different vehicles, according to how dog-friendly the car is. Check it out.

Relay for Dogs update

I got the chance to correspond last week with Mandy Revell, coordinator of the Relay for Dogs event in Columbus April 25. (Check out the original post on the event here.) Two things:

1) Relay for Dogs now has a Web site! Check out and register for the event on www.relayfordogs.com.

2) The event's time has been extended to 3 p.m.

Also, if you plan to go, please remember to bring a record of your pup's rabies vaccination and city permit (for Columbus residents.)

Through a dog's eyes

Sometimes I look at CeCe and I'm a little envious.

Envious because she doesn't have to worry about family issues, her health, the economy, paying bills or a career. In fact, I'm pretty sure she doesn't even know what those are.

Her life is so simple and carefree. All she knows is sleeping, eating, snacking on treats, laying on the couch, watching Animal Planet, going for walks, hanging out at the park and expressing her enthusiasm to play with other dogs (i.e. barking.)

If only human life could be that simple.

Anyway, I found this beautiful piece on the New York Times' Web site. (Check it out here.) As it states, Dana Jennings is a NY Times editor with prostate cancer. In his blog, he writes about lessons he's learned from the family dog, Bijou.

Yes, our lives are probably a lot more complicated than Bijou's or CeCe's...but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy simple pleasures every now and then.

Easter pet parade

Want Sparky to get involved in some Easter festivities?

You're in luck. Longleaf at Callaway Gardens is holding its third annual Easter pet parade on Saturday, April 11 at 10 a.m.

Pets have the chance to win in several categories, including best bonnet and best outfit. There will also be raffles, music and an Easter dog biscuit hunt.

If you didn't know, Longleaf is an environmentally-friendly residential community within Callaway Gardens. Everyone is welcome to the parade, but non-Longleaf residents must pay a $5 registration fee. Proceeds go to the Harris County Humane Society.

You can register that day at the Longleaf post office (the former sales office) located at the entrance.

For more information or to pre-register, call Lorraine Berry at 706-663-7633 or e-mail lberry22@rocketmail.com.

Big pet expo coming to Atlanta

This sounds like a very cool day trip or weekend trip for the whole family - pets included, of course.

Pets and More USA Expo is coming to the North Atlanta Trade Center in Norcross, Ga., on Friday, May 1. The expo will be from Friday to Sunday (May 1-3) and sounds like it will offer everything pet-related that you can think of (at least, that I can think of.)

Like what? Pet adoptions, a micro-chip clinic, a "Muttallica" dog sport and comedy show, vendors (pet wear, vacuums, toys, jewelry, pet insurance, pet furniture, behavioral books and videos, etc.), a reptile exhibit, agility and other educational demonstrations, an art contest, and of course, dog contests for cash and prizes. There will be a "Leave It" contest, "Longest Stay" contest and "I'm So Ugly, I'm So Cute" contest, just to name a few.

The big attraction, I think, will be the featured guests. Joel Silverman, host of Animal Planet's Good Dog U, will be conducting daily demonstrations on training your dog. Atlanta dog trainer Susie Aga will also be on hand.

It's $7 per day or $12 for a 3-day pass.

You can get more info on www.petsandmoreusaexpo.com. Oh, and you can print a $2 coupon off the Web site, too.