Colorado Takes Step to Improve Lives of Abused Animals

I just received this email from Lisa Pederson, CEO of the Humane Society of Boulder Valley and am glad to share this wonderful animal news with you.

"Yesterday was a very good day for abused animals in Colorado! I am happy to tell you Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law a bill that makes Colorado much safer for abused and neglected animals.

Bill 1125, Cost of Impound and Care is a historic milestone for Colorado's abused animals. The bill streamlines and clarifies the hearing process in seizures of animals who are impounded under state cruelty charges, providing for a speedier and fair process, and ensuring these animals are not in limbo as the case progresses. This means abused and neglected animals can get the care they need and get into a new loving home more quickly! Guardian rights, animal shelters (such as ours), and of course animals needing assistance were all protected in this legislation.



The bill was sponsored by two dedicated legislators — Sen. Pat Steadman (D-Denver) and Rep. Robert Ramirez (R-Westminster) — who recognized its importance. The bill was also supported and co-sponsored in the House by Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg (R-Sterling). On March 20, the Colorado Senate passed HB-1125 by a unanimous and bipartisan vote of 34-0. The House of Representatives concurred with the bill and sent HB-1125 to Gov. Hickenlooper's desk for his signature with a vote of 60-3. This bill is unique because of the amount of bipartisan support in both chambers and from both sides of the aisle."

May more states follow Colorado and pass bills like HB-1125. Interesting that it is the love of animals that brought Democrats and Republicans together so unanimously when not much else has been able to! Thank you to the Colorado House and Senate, and to Governor Hickenlooper. And a huge thank you to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley for all your time and work with the Colorado legislature to get this bill passed, and for informing the public and encouraging us to support the animals by supporting HB-1125.
   

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

For those of you who love to read dog books:

MAGGIE is reduced to $4.60 on Kindle

The Zoom Room -- New Social Spot for Dogs & Their Guardians

The Zoom Room has been born for dogs and their owners/guardians to spend quality indoor time together. Founded by Jaime Van Wye, reputed for building kennels across the country, The Zoom Room has agility and obedience classes, in addition to open gym exercise sessions. It's a super alternative to dog parks when it's muddy outdoors. Not to mention Wi-Fi, coffee and beverages, and a Doggy Disco!

There are 16 Zoom Room locations across the country according to Denver Post reporter John Davidson, with 10 more being planned for this year. Lucky for Colorado canines, there is one in Denver, CO (1165 S. Broadway) and one in Longmont, CO (2318 17th Avenue). Learn more about The Zoom Room and find out the nearest one to you for some pure fun for you and your pup. What a great way for dogs to learn and be social, and for you and your best friend to have wonderful interaction time together!
  

For those of you who love to read dog books:

MAGGIE is now $4.60 on Kindle down from $7.99

  

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

Stop Researchers from Acquiring Dogs and Cats from Shelters

I received this message today from Noah Gittell, the Government Affairs Manager for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). Please share this with as many people as you can to help the animals. We are one step closer to banning the acquisition of cats and dogs from shelters for research, but it isn't happening soon enough. Please read on:

I’ve got news to report regarding our efforts to stop researchers from acquiring dogs and cats from shelters. We have learned that soon, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will no longer allow researchers who receive federal funds to purchase cats or dogs from class B “random source” dealers. These class B dealers sell animals who are bought from shelters or adopted from “Free to a Good Home” scenarios. They have even been known to steal animals from private backyards.

This is a huge step forward, but we still need your help. The ban on using cats from class B dealers does not go into effect until October, and the use of dogs will not be phased out until 2015. Additionally, while we are thrilled that the federal government will be phasing out the use of most shelter dogs and cats, class B dealers will still be able to sell them to privately funded research institutions.

Please contact Congress and urge your U.S. Representative to co-sponsor The Pet Safety and Protection Act, H.R. 2256, a bill that will permanently ban the sale of animals from class B dealers to all U.S. research facilities.

Dogs and cats in animal shelters should be adopted by new companions—not purchased by class B dealers and used in painful experiments. NIH’s new policy will help end the practice of pound seizure, but it will not happen soon enough. That’s why it is so important for you to contact Congress today. When you are done, please forward this message to your friends and family—and share on Facebook and Twitter.
Sincerely,

Noah Gittell
Government Affairs Manager
 

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

Dog Heroics: Five Stories of Dogs Saving Their Owners

Today I am happy to have this wonderful guest post by Paul Glovers about special canines saving the lives of their guardians. Enjoy. And thank you, Paul.

Paul lives with his wife and Standard Schnauzer in Washington state and is a freelance writer for Veterinary Assistant Schools, a guide to Vet Assistant careers and education.

Stories of dogs saving the lives of their owners are always touching and very inspiring. They are indeed a man's best friend because of their unconditional love and loyalty to their masters and even to complete strangers. Here are 5 stories based on true accounts of dogs saving their owners from dangerous situations:

1. Hero Dog Shot after Defending Home from Intruders

Rumble, an American Straffordshire terrier is expected to survive and be on the road to full recovery after being beaten and shot by intruders while trying to defend the owner's home. This dog, now considered as a hometown hero chased the burglars that are trying to break into the family's home. He suffered from gunshot wound and severely broken leg that needed intensive operation. Dr. Michael King from the Canada West Veterinary Specialists offered to perform the surgery for free.

Full story here: http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/337393--hero-dog-shot-while-trying-to-defend-home-expected-to-live

2. Rescue Dog Saves Family from House Fire

Timothy Argento was at work when his home in Levittown went on fire with his wife, daughters and their friend sleeping inside. Good thing Lily, their recently adopted dog woke up everyone inside the house even before the smoke detectors went off. Everyone made it out safe and suffered no injuries and Lily made sure that everyone was out of the burning home before she got out. Lily was adopted from the North Shore Animal League. Argento states that all the material things that were burned down by the fire can be replaced but what is important is that everyone is alive and well, all thanks to Lily.

Full story here: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/02/24/dog-saves-family-from-house-fire-in-levittown/

3. Adopted Dog Returns the Favor and Saves His Owner's Life

Gerald Gray suffers from diabetes and a lung disease. Had it not been for Parker, a dog the couple adopted, Gerald would have been in a different situation right now. On one morning at around 3 o'clock in the morning, Parker a Jack Russell Terrier was trying to get the attention of Cynthia Parker by constantly barking and digging. She went ahead and looked around and found out that her husband's oxygen level was low. They never put much thought on Parker's act until it happened again, this time at the hospital where Parker won't leave his owner's side. It turns out that Gerald's oxygen went down to a dangerous level. The couple considers Parker as a life saver.

Full story here: http://www.wbtv.com/story/17116241/rescued-dog-is-saving-lives

4. Perth Dog Saves Owner's Home from Fire

When fire broke out in the kitchen area of his owner's home, this Perth dog immediately went to a heroic mode. Dyson, an eight month old Labrador barked continuously in order to get the attention of the neighbors until someone noticed the fire and called the firefighters. The damage was estimated to be around $50,000 and the kitchen area was completely burned. The damage could have been worse if Dyson was not quick to seek help.

Full story here: http://www.skynews.com.au/offbeat/article.aspx?id=722234&vId=

5. Trixie the Dog Nominated for the 5th Annual Dogs of Valor Awards

One evening of October last year, 78 year-old Ida Moose was at her backyard when she unknowingly suffered from stroke and heart attack. She woke up lying in the mud and found her terrier dog Trixie standing right beside her. Trixie started to bark in an attempt to get help and attention but was unsuccessful at first. This faithful pet stayed beside Ida for twenty hours and never left throughout the ordeal. Trixie provided warmth to her owner during the long rainy night until help finally arrives. It would have been impossible for Ida to survive had it not been for Trixie. Her life saving efforts was recognized and Trixie is nominated for the 5th Annual Dogs of Valor Awards given by the Humane Society of the United States.

Full story here: http://www.todaysthv.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=200054
 

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

Sound Therapy and Other Stress Busters for Anxious Pets

Do you have a dog that is fearful of thunderstorms? Fourth of July fireworks? Or a dog with separation anxiety? It has now been shown that calm music, such as classical music can have a calming effect on dogs.

I had a first hand experience yesterday with our foster dog, Lucky. He was exhibiting some separation anxiety behaviors when left alone in his crate when I left the house. Yesterday before I left, I set him up with Pandora playing through my computer, and a peanut butter kong. He rested his head on his paws as the music played (it was actually easy listening country), and lifted his head quickly when the music stopped. I was able to leave Lucky alone for nearly 3 hours in his crate, and he was calm when I returned home, the music still playing! Not only was I proud of him, but I sensed he was happy and proud of himself!

You can learn more about sound therapy in the book Through a Dog's Ear, and read how more animals are being adopted in shelters as a result of this wonderful discovery here: http://throughadogsear.com/

The following video segment with Dr. Marty Becker from Good Morning America discusses the powerful calming effect of music on dogs, as well as other products such as anxiety wraps and fermone sprays.

Lucky and Maddie

To learn more about Lucky or to adopt him visit Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue and fill out an application. He is 6 1/2 years old, house-trained, responds to many commands, and is affectionate and sweet. He will lie at your feet, cuddle and be thrilled to finally have his forever home where he is loved and wanted for life.

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

I Want a Dog ... A New Elderly Widow's Plea

It has not yet been a month since my 84 year old neighbor lost her husband of sixty-some years. I just returned from a trip, and called her as soon as I learned of his death. She has always been a wise, spiritual woman in my eyes, one I always learned valuable lessons from whenever our paths crossed. Yesterday on the phone with her was no different. Although grieving, and certainly experiencing the lethargy and paralysis that often comes with loss, her honesty was indeed that breath of fresh air, her positive attitude inspiring.  She shared openly with me (when I asked) her beliefs of what comes next after death, and how that sustained her in her grief and kept her positive. I was mesmerized by her words: that "we are all here on a soul journey," and that when we die, "time is nonexistent, and we are shown a review of our life," and allowed to experience our unlearned lessons from life, sometimes through the eyes and experience of those we have hurt. And "we have spiritual Guides to help us in this journey," she shares.We also "learn more about creation; astronomy and life elsewhere in other galaxies and universes," for example.

"We are so earth-bound," she stated. "There's so much more to learn about -- it's not just all about Earth. And finally, when we are ready, "we can choose to reincarnate to have a chance to learn those lessons on earth once again." How many 84 year old's do you know who are this non-conventional and open in their thinkiing?

Of course, she misses her husband's presence in their home greatly. "I'm just not motivated to do anything." But what is intuitively calling to her? To her heart? "I want a dog," she tells me. "I want that presence in my home with me. Not a small dog, a big dog. Maybe 5 or 6 years old. It must be well enough trained, and calm. We will recognize and know each other -- this is very important to me. I have applied with some rescue groups but have not heard back, and am afraid they overlook me because of my age and fear what might happen to the dog when I die. But my daughter will take the dog when I die."

Wow. If any of you know a dog that can fit this bill, please reply on my blog. Calling all large dog rescue groups, "failed" Guide Dogs for the Blind, any service dog that doesn't quite cut the mustard, please contact me. Let's find a dog for this special woman so she can have that phenomenal canine connection in her life before she, too passes from this world.

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

Arizona Votes to Phase Out Dog Racing

At Tucson Greyhound Park, "greyhounds are kept confined in small cages which are barely large enough for them to stand up or turn around," according to Christine A. Dorchak, Esq., President, GREY2K USA.

And greyhounds face the risk of serious injury when racing. GREY2K USA has been instrumental in getting petitions signed in an attempt to get Skechers shoes to pull their Greyhound racing commercial from the Superbowl last Sunday, and in lobbying for gryehound protection.

Dorchak says state records show nearly 1000 greyhound injuries between January 2007 and November 2009 at Arizona racetrack. Common injuries include broken legs and other fractures, dislocations, muscle tears, broken backs, heat stroke,cracked skulls and even paralysis according to. Formed in March of 2001, GREY2K USA is a national non-profit organization dedicated to passing stronger greyhound protection laws and ending the cruelty of dog racing.

Yesterday, the Arizona Committee on Natural Resources and Transportation voted unanimously in favor of phasing out dog racing in Arizona!

Thank you, GREY2USA and thank you Arizona -- this is a great victory for greyhounds and for animal rights.
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Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life