SNOW!!!!!

Wow, it's really a blizzard out there. The forecasters were right. It's piling up and FAST.

When we took Nigel to the park two hours ago, the snow was was already so high that he couldn't walk; he leaped. Like the children on their sleds, the dogs had a great time playing. They jumped, tumbled and fell. Nigel had a blast, but when play time was over, he was happy to come home, get dried off ,and snooze in his bed.

I don't think I'll go out again until April!!!

I know that while I am enjoying the beauty of the rapidly falling snow from the safety of inside my warm house, animals (and people) are outside, ast risk of suffering from hypothermia (frost bite) and/or other injuries -- even death.

Things we can do --

• Have the number of the local animal control agency handy. Officers are working around the clock. If you see an animal who is outside unattended, call. In the District of Columbia that number is 202 -576-6664 -- 24/7.


• If you see a neighbor's dog or cat outside call them (or get an adult to call). Make sure that your neighbor is okay. Remind them that their animals should be indoors. It's not safe to be outside for extended periods of time for animals or people.


• When your dog goes outside, be sure to wash and dry his paws when he comes in -- especially the pads between his toes. Those little ice balls hurt!



• If you are venturing outside in the car, be on the lookout for animals that need help as you are driving around. Have the animal control number handy and report all animals in danger. Give as much information as possible -- where is the animal, what does the animal look like, is it contained (can it leave that location) or is it running loose, what is the exact address, what are the landmarks (is there gas station on the corner, or is it a blue house with black shutters). To report homeless people who are out in this weather in Washington call the Hypothermia Hotline at 1 (800) 535-7252.


• Before the car is started, bang on the hood and/or honk the horn -- that way, if a cat who was looking for a warm spot has crawled under the hood she'll take those loud noises as a sign to get out and go elsewhere.

This is going to be a whopper of a storm. Looks like the DC area will have a white Christmas for sure. Have fun sledding, building snow people and making snow angels; and be on the lookout for those who are outside and need help. Speak for those can't.

Back to School -- Already?

Wow, where did the summer go? Today's the first day of school for many kids. It's my first day back at the League -- I took some time off -- and, when I got back today, I discovered many new faces. While I was away construction on our cat room was finished -- the cats have their own playground (pictures coming later in the week) -- and lots of new arrivals, dogs and cats, are waiting for forever homes. Two teeny-tiny dogs, rescued by someone who found them running around in a busy intersection nearby, have settled into one staff member's office.


Leash laws protect dogs and people. A scared dog may not only run into traffic and get injured or even killed, but a scared dog may react out of fear when someone tries to help, and hurt the helper. Dogs can't use language to say, "Help me, I'm scared out here!" A frightened dog may bite the hand of someone trying to do good. The person who was able to capture and bring the two dogs to the League was an adult who took a BIG chance. Luckily, for the dogs and the person no one was hurt.

On your way to school, I'm sure you obey all traffic rules including cross only in crosswalks and cross with green or walk lights. Dogs (and cats, too) are oblivious to such rules. If on your way to school you see an animal running in the street or without a guardian, get adult help. Don't try to physically rescue the animal -- You could get hurt. Get a parent or teacher or crossing guard. Or, if you have a phone, plug in the number of the animal control agency in your area. In Washington, D.C. Animal Control is the proper agency to call, 202-576-6664. Be sure to give as much information as you can. For instance,

• what color is the dog?
• Do you know the breed?
• Where is it?
• Is it in the intersection of Blair Road and Kansas Avenue, N.W.?
• Or is it sitting in front of the 7-11 store on Kansas Avenue?

The more information you can give to the dispatcher, the better for a fast and safe rescue. Let's make the 2009-2010 school year safe for everyone.