RESCUED!!! Puppy Mill Dogs Saved from Deplorable Conditions

[Click Here to Watch the Fox 5 Video] Check out the puppy mill puppies arriving at the League.

The Washington Animal Rescue League is providing refuge to 100 of 300 puppies and adult adogs seized from a Lehigh County, Pennsylvania puppy mill. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement to obtain custody of the dogs. The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement investigated the Almost Heaven kennels, and took permanent custody of all of the dogs. Rescuers found typical puppy mill conditions; many of the dogs were suffering from skin and eye infections as well as other medical ailments. It is likely that many of these animals had never known life outside their cramped enclosures.

Imagine spending your entire life in a cage? The dogs brought to the League have been examined by veterinarians and will be spayed or neutered. They will be made available for adoption later this week. Adopters will need to understand that puppy mill dogs can be harder to house train than other dogs since most have had to eliminate where they eat and sleep. The League offers special classes to help adopters deal with issues that are common to puppy mill dogs and we recommend that potential adopters check out the Mission Dog (http://www.missiondog.com/) video on understanding and addressing common puppy mill problems.

It is Easy to Do the Right Thing

This adorable puppy's guardian brought him to the Washington Animal Medical Center today for a free health screening, plus free vaccinations and neutering.

The Washington Animal Rescue League's Free Pit Bull Health Screening and Spay Neuter Day is today. Fifteen responsible guardians were at the Medical Center early this morning to admit their dogs to the hospital. The dogs will be checked by our veterinarians, given all of their vaccines and spayed or neutered. Those responsible guardians are taking action to ensure that their dogs are not only healthy, but are not contributing to the dog and cat overpopulation crisis.

Throughout the United States animal shelters continue to take in hundreds of thousands of surplus animals. In addition to overcrowded animal shelters, thousands more animals are left on the streets; they suffer and die from disease, starvation, abuse or accidents. Animal overpopulation is a tragedy that people can control. All animal guardians should make the responsible decision to spay or neuter their dogs and cats.

The League's June Free Pit Bull Healthy Screening and Spay/Neuter Day was a HUGE success. Help end the dog and cat overpopulation crisis. If you have a pit bull that is not yet spayed or neutered please call 202-726-2273 to get the date for the next Free Pit Bull Healthy Screening and Spay/Neuter Day . People needing to get other breeds of dogs, and cats, spayed or neutered for a nominal charge, can schedule an appointment by calling the Washington Animal Medical Center at 202 726-2273.

Email me pictures of your happy, healthy spayed or neutered cat or dog. Send the photos to debbie@warl.org.

A Serendipitous Adoption discovery

I was on a power walk with friends the other day when we ran into other friends who were walking an extremely cute and energetic dog. I didn't know that they lived with a dog, but I knew that the family -- four people and two cats -- had been thinking about adopting a dog for a long time. They were waiting for just the right time and just the right dog. And, they found her at the Washington Animal Rescue League.

I asked what it was about the dog (formerly Blossom, now Leah) that made them choose her; it was love at first sight.

Update from a Happy Home

There are never enough happy adoption stories. We love it when an adopter sends a note, an email or pictures. Recently we got an update from Jenn who adopted Venture. Venture was one of those dogs who needed a little extra work, he had had a hard life prior to coming to the League. It was important that his new person understood that it might take some time before Venture was totally at home. Lucky for Venture, he got that person. (Venture is safe and secure snoozing in bed)

...Venture had made himself at home now and is finally settled into the family. He loves to play outside and to go for walks in the neighborhood. I have introduced him to my aunt's white german shepherd, Sitka , and they both seemed to get along/play/interact rather well. Venture still has a tendency to bark at people when they walk past the house or come to the door, but he isnt not as bad as he used to be. He is learning to accept guests when they visit and wants to interact with them, but I am still working with him on that. I am also still working on nail trimming with him....he is a great dog and I am glad that I adopted him! :) I really couldn't ask for a better dog!

Thanks, Jenn, for adopting Venture and letting us at the League know that all is well.

A Parked Car Can Be Deadly for a Dog

A ride to the grocery store can be fatal. Most dogs love to ride in the car with their guardians. A ride is good, but being left in the car when people get out to run errands can be deadly. With the summer temperatures rising, even a few minutes in a locked car can be dangerous.

Cars heat up like ovens, even with the windows down part way. To find out just how hot a car will get, go to http://www.mydogiscool.com/. This web site will show you the temperature in your zip code in real time and let you know if it is safe for Rover to relax in the back seat when the human occupants run into the store.

My dog, Nigel, loves to ride in the car. He rides often in the early spring, late fall, and winter months, However, this time of year he stays home. When I leave the house I give him one of his favorite treats -- a bully stick or a stuffed kong -- to let him know that staying home can be just as good as going for a ride.

If you see a dog in a parked car during a warm summer day, call 911. A dog baking in a parked car is a definite emergency!

Know Your Pit Bull Facts

To find out more about pit bulls check out the websites http://www.badrap.org/ and http://www.pbrc.net/.

I'm still thinking about Phoenix -- the dog who died several days after being set on fire.

Washington Humane Society's Shakela Brown told me that officers are currently investigating an animal cruelty case, also involving a pit bull, in the 200 block of 37th Place, S.E. Someone forced a pit bull to attack a gray and white cat. Anyone who has information about this animal cruelty case should call the Washington Humane Society at 202 723-5730. Calls can be made anonymously.

The Cruelty Continues

I've been following a tragic story. A dog, dubbed Phoenix by her rescuers, died of her injuries. Last week, in Baltimore, the pit bull had been doused with gasoline and set on fire. A police officer happened to see the ball of fire and threw her sweater on the burning dog. A crew of healthcare professionals stepped in to save Phoenix, but in the end, her injuries were far to severe. The question remains, WHY would anyone treat any living creature so horribly.

I cannot imagine the suffering Phoenix endured. I cannot imagine the hatred someone would harbor that would cause them to act so violently.

To read more about Phoenix, and see a picture of her go to http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/mutts/blog/2009/05/phoenix_the_burned_pit_pup_pas.html

There is NO Excuse for Animal Cruelty

I learned today that convicted dog fighter and former NFL superstar, Michael Vick, regrets his criminal activity and wants to spend his future days telling young people that fighting dogs is wrong. Not only is animal abuse wrong, it is against the law. Breaking the law means punishment. Michael Vick went to jail for 23 months because he broke the law and caused many, many dogs to suffer. I hope Michael Vick is really and truly sorry; I hope Michael Vick can make a difference and prevent young people from engaging in dog fighting.

I also hope that whoever burned Gertrude is sorry. The person who committed this crime was not caught and did not serve time. Our veterinarians had never seen a living animal as badly burned as Gertrude. D.C. Animal Control picked up the two-year-old cat on the streets of Washington on April 14. Her whiskers were singed, the skin on her feet was completely burned off, she had more burns on her legs and face, her fur was full of black ash, and she smelled of smoke.

We don't know how she was burned, but my suspicion is that someone intentionally hurt her. The League veterinarian who first saw Gertrude wondered how she had survived the burns without prior treatment. Even with immediate care, the hospital concluded that most likely her right hind leg and tail would eventually need to be amputated.

What’s worse, the cat’s burns were not her only problem: she was dehydrated and extremely malnourished. She should have weighed seven pounds. Instead, she weighed three. That means that little Gertrude was on her own for quite awhile.

“We treated her burns with daily bandage changes and cleaning, and it now looks as if she might only need a toe amputation,” said shelter medicine manager Maureen Henry. “She was always a really sweet cat, and we were sure she would get adopted quickly once she healed.”

To everyone’s amazement and relief, Gertrude made a full recovery. She will get to keep all her legs and all but the very tip of her tail. The skin on her feet has grown back. Gertrude was moved from the League's hospital to the adoption area today.

It shouldn't take long for her to find her forever home. “Whoever gets her is going to love her—she loves to be held, she loves to play with toys, she’s just the best,” Marq Nelson, the League’s feline expert, said. “I’d take her home with me in a second if I could.”

Someone knows what happened to Gertrude. Maybe someone witnessed someone torturning the trusting tabby. No one reported seeing anything. That, too, should be a crime. Animal abuse is against the law, but prosecution only happens when the crime is reported. If you see someone hurting an animal, please report it to the proper agency. I don't know who finally called the Washington Humane Society to report seeing the badly burned Gertrude, but I sure am glad that they did.

Fact or Fiction

Cats are incredibly interesting animals. Unfortunately common myths about cats can cause serious problems including too many cats and not enough home!

Test yourself

Cats always land on their feet. True or False

FALSE -- While cats instinctively fall feet first and may survive falls from high places, they also may receive broken bones in the process. Some kind of screening on balconies and windows can help protect pets from disastrous falls.

Cats should drink milk everyday. True or False

FALSE -- Most cats like milk, but do not need it if properly nourished. Also, many will get diarrhea if they drink too much milk. If it is given at all, the amount should be small and infrequent.

Cats that are spayed or neutered automatically gain weight. True or False

FALSE -- Like people, cats gain weight from eating too much, not exercising enough or both. In many cases, spaying or neutering is done at an age when the animal's metabolism already has slowed, and its need for food has decreased. If the cat continues to eat the same amount, it may gain weight. Cat owners can help their cats stay fit by providing exercise and not over-feeding.

Do you have a question about cats? Email me at debbie@warl.org or ask your local veterinarian.

A Day in the Life of the Shelter

Whittier Education Center student photographers shared many of their images, taken at the Washington Animal Rescue League's shelter and medical center, during a one day exhibit A Day in the Life of the Shelter on display in the foyer at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's office arranged for the special venue. Mrs. Norton viewed the students' work, listened to them tell about their experiences and spoke to them and the other guests. Mrs. Norton encouraged the students to continue taking pictures and to keep caring about animals.

Families, friends, Washington Animal Rescue League staff, Whittier Education Center teachers and administrators, and House members and their staffers toured the 17 panel exhibit. Photos of dogs and cats recovering from spay surgery, cuddling with volunteers, and cared for by staff were displayed along with a number of portraits. The photos, part of a national Be Kind to Animals Week celebration, had visitors smiling and oohing and aahing..

Students did not shoot pictures during the event. Joyce Davis, a Washington Animal Rescue League volunteer, covered the reception, taking the pictures featured in this entry. Student photographers posed with Mrs. Norton, police officer Heather Straker and with their work.

The League was very proud of the students. Their work will travel to other sites. And, we hope that not only will the fifteen students continue to tell stories through photos and accompanying journal entries, but that the League can work with another group of student photographers before Be Kind to Animals Week in 2010.

A huge Thank You goes to nature photographer Joanne Miller who oversaw the artistic end of the project and Whittier Education Center Literacy Coach Jackie Anderson who was our school liaison.

Be Kind to Animals Week

The first week in May marks the annual celebration of Be Kind to Animals Week. The Washington Animal Welfare League is marking the event in a BIG way. We are hosting a photo exhibit at the U. S. House of Representatives Rayburn Building on Thursday, May, 7th. The photos -- of dogs, cats, WARL staff and volunteers, -- were taken by 15 Whittier Education Center fifth graders. Whittier is a school located several blocks from the League. The students, and their teacher Ms. Anderson, walked to the League to visit the animals and take pictures. They learned about photography from nature photographer Joanne Miller. Their images tell the story of A Day in the Life of the Shelter. See the photos at the Rayburn Building from 10:00 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. on May 7th. A special reception honoring the students will be held at 4:30 p.m. with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton speaking at 5:00 p.m.

Oh No, Another Circus Comes to the Area

For years, the Clyde Beatty Cole Bros Circus has failed to meet the very minimum standards for the care of animals used in exhibitions as established by the Animal Welfare Act. With a track record that is wrought with documented cases of animal cruelty, the Clyde Beatty Cole Brothers Circus pulls into town and sets up its big top in Gaithersburg at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds this weekend.

Our community offers many wonderful, cruelty-free, forms of entertainment. Check out listings in your local paper -- find out where the best nature trails are, go to a ball game, ride a bike through Rock Creek Park or see wild animals up close in their natural environment in Disney's new film, EARTH. Or, spend some time on Sunday telling Clyde Beatty Cole Brothers that circuses are NO FUN for animals. Lions, Elephants, Tigers, Bears and the other wild animals do not perform tricks in their natural habitat. Demonstations against the circus are scheduled on Sunday, April 26 from 12:30 – 1:30 and 3:30 – 4:30.

Celebrate National Poetry Month

It makes sense, that April -- with its extremely changeable weather-- is national poetry month. Poems often reference seasons, months or weather. They can be filled with a roller coaster of emotion or dwell on one solitary mood. Poems speak about love, or highlight special occasions or friends. They can have rhyming patterns or not; they can be quite long or very short.

One of my favorite poems from childhood is Cats Sleep Anywhere.

Cats Sleep Anywhere

Cats sleep anywhere, any table, any chair.

Top of piano, window-ledge, in the middle, on the edge.

Open drawer, empty shoe, anybody's lap will do.

Fitted in a cardboard box, in the cupboard with your frocks.

Anywhere! They don't care! Cats sleep anywhere.

Eleanor Farjeon (1881 - 1965)

We have many wonderful cats at the League waiting for loving, forever homes. They would happily trade in their condos in the cat room for a table, chair, piano top, window-ledge, drawer, box or cozy lap (or two).

Killing Animals is No Laughing Matter

Look closely at the photo above. A Virginia resident outraged over the killing of the goose sent the picture to the Washington Post in hopes that the senseless stoning of geese in his neighborhood would end. He reported that the surviving goose had been standing watch over the dead body of his partner for days. Geese mate for life.

What would make a group of boys think that stoning an animal is fun? Why would they engage in such a horrible act? How should they be punished?

Millions of Animals Die in Australia's Wildfires.

Millions of animals, including kangaroos, lyre birds, echidnas and koalas, died and thousands more were injured when wildfires spread over a large parcel of land in Australia. Nearly two months later volunteers, including wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians, are still caring for many of the survivors.

Rehabilitation centers and sanctuaries will be dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy for years to come. While news media covered Australia's worst natural disaster during the peak of the tragedy in February, very little has been reported since. MNBC ran a follow-up in mid-March, but I haven't seen anything since.

Pit Bulls -- Heroes and Friends

Despite a bad rap in the media, pit bulls are typically loyal, loving, intelligent family dogs who are often known to take heroic action to protect those they love. Jasmine, a pit bull living in Alexandria, Virginia, recently saved her family from disaster. When a fire erupted in the dryer vent of the family's home in the middle of the night, Jasmine barked nonstop waking her family so they, and Jasmine, could escape unharmed.

The Washington Animal Rescue League adopts many wonderful pit bull dogs into loving, caring forever homes. Two staff members adopted pit bulls in recent month. One lives with a baby and other animals; the other lives with another dog and comes to work with her guardian every day. Trixie is another successful League pit bull adoption. Her new family, including two boys and another dog, reports that Trixie has lots of energy but knows how and when to chill, too. That's her in the picture above, snoozing with her buddy Jack.

For a wonderful fiction story highlighting the hard luck life of a pit bull named Cash, check out Dog Lost by Ingrid Lee discussed in the March 5th Post

Marvelous Mila Chills in Her Forever Home

I am delighted to end the week by sharing good news from a recent adopter.

Mila, who lived at the League for 4 months and was definitely a staff favorite (arent' they all?), is happily adjusting to the good life in her new home. Known for her boundless energy, her newest best buddy Gabe writes She's calmer with each day - and she absolutely loves her two new dog beds. I'll send some more active pictures later on, but three weeks ago I never would have thought I'd be able to sit with Mila on her dog bed and pose for a picture!

Doesn't she look absolutely GREAT!?!?!?!

Remembering Rosie

March 4, 1995 - March 13, 2009

For years I facilitated a humane education program that centered on well-constructed lesson plans chock full of fun, enriching activities, but no live animals. In 1999 I decided to revamp the program to include dogs, IF I could find the right dogs. That's when I met Rosie and her person Stacey. Rosie was one of those dogs that made you smile. She didn't do tricks or dress up in clothing, but when she walked into a classroom there was magic. Rosie was a leaner. She pressed her whole body against you. Kids ended up with Rosie fur all over their pants! And, they loved it.

Several years ago Rosie was unable to visit her 5th grade class at Ross Elementary School. At the very time of the scheduled visit, Rosie was undergoing surgery; a tumor was removed from her front left leg. I talked to the students about the surgery; the worry that filled the classroom was thick. Our positive thoughts paid off -- not only did Rosie make a full and speedy recovery, but she had an unusual patch of fur on her leg to commemorate the event. The veterinarian had taken fur from another spot on Rosie's body and grafted it over the area where the growth had been. The result was a funny patch of hair that grew against the rest of Rosie's fur creating a strange pattern and an opportunity for Stacey to remind students why it is so important to regularly take your dog to the veterinarian. Rosie was always the teacher.

In addition to visiting students and stressing the importance of proper animal care, Rosie volunteered to listen to children read books at Prospect Learning Center. She enjoyed the stories, but liked the students' gentle pats the best. Sometimes it was hard for a student to read AND pet Rosie at the same time, so the reader would put the book aside and pat Rosie.

Later, Rosie visited Tubman Elementary School. Fourth graders were engaged in a photo project and Rosie happily posed with her ball, demonstrating a fun activity that kids could play with dogs. She even managed to get her left leg front and center in most of the photos.

The trouble with sharing your life with a companion animal is, that you know, in all likelihood, you will outlive your friend by many, many years. Over time, we can have had numerous animals in our lives and each one is special. Photos, memories and tributes keep our animals with us. Stacey shared one of her tributes to Rosie with me, and I am happy to share it with you.

Rosie (a.k.a. Rosie the Riveter, Rosie-pie, Ambassador of Love) was born in the Tompkins County Animal Shelter in Ithaca, New York. When she and her five siblings were four days old, they came home with their mother to receive foster care. Rosie stayed for good.

She was an avid hiker, tennis ball catcher and swimmer, and for several years she was a blood donor for dogs in need. Her truest passion, though, was meeting new people and spending quality time with her trusted human friends. Her daily walks were constantly punctuated by people greeting her and commenting on her friendliness and beauty.

Rosie’s gift for spreading happiness found a most useful outlet in the Washington Humane Society’s Humane Education Program. During her six years as a volunteer, Rosie visited with hundreds of students in D.C.’s public schools, helping them to understand how dogs think and feel, and the responsibility people have to help dogs live healthy, happy, fulfilling lives.

Rosie will be missed, by many, beyond words. Take a lesson from her approach to life: revel in its joys, forgive its shortcomings, and leave it with no regrets.

Another Happy Ending! Juanishia Loves Lady

Juanishia & Lady

Juanishia, a Washington Animal Rescue League caretaker, loves every animal who comes through our doors. Every so often, however, there is that one very special dog or cat who needs a little more love and a little more attention. Such was the case with Violet. The 5 pound, 10-year-old chihuahua was rescued from a puppy mill several months ago. No telling how many litters of puppies she had over the years. In between the time of her rescue and her arrival at the League, she was living in a shelter in Georgia. Juanishia started spending a little extra time with Violet every day. She was determined to give the dog all of the love she had been missing for so long.

Day after day Juanishia watched potential adopters walk right past Violet's den. Finally, Juanishia decided enough, she adopted the sweet dog with the sad eyes, took her home and named her Lady. "She sleeps with me and gets along great with the cats, I just love her," Juanishia reports.

The Canadian Seal Slaughter Started Yesterday, We Can Help.

It started yesterday. Mass killings. Reportedly, 9,500 baby seals were brutally killed in just one day. According to the Humane Society of The United States, sealers made their way into the harp seal nursery off Canada's east coast and began the work of clubbing to death weeks-old pups—some who haven't even learned to swim or eaten their first solid meal.

The annual commercial seal hunt has begun, and sealers will club or shoot

up to 280,000 baby harp seals by the time it's over. The animals are being killed for their fur—victims of a heartless industry that puts fashion whims before compassion.

We can make a difference. Write letters to the Canadian government telling them that the seal slaughter must stop, persuade local grocers and restaurants to boycott Canadian seafood (Commercial seal hunting is an off-season activity conducted over just a few days by a few thousand fishermen from Canada's east coast), and share information about the Canadian seal slaughter with your family and friends. To find out more, go to http://www.hsus.org/protectseals.html or www.PETA.org.

One Lucky Dog!!!!

The very best, most wonderful thing about working at the Washington Animal Rescue League is watching one of our dogs or cats go home. The second best, most wonderful thing about working at the Washington Animal Rescue League is hearing how well one of our cats or dogs is doing in his/her forever home. I saw Cadbury, the smiling dog, leave the League and said to his adopters, "Please keep in touch and let us know how he is doing". And they did! Read the letter below from Pat and Bill about their new pal Cody.

Sorry for the delay in providing an update on Cadbury. We have changed his name to Cody because he looks a little like a Coyote and Cody has a Western ring to the name. He is a very good dog and so affectionate. He seems to be house broken as we have had one accident. He sleeps peacefully all night and automatically goes to his bed and lies down when we sit down to eat with no begging for food.

We go on two or three walks a day for at least two hours. The first few days there was lots of leash pulling but that seems to be over and he now walks very nicely by our side on a loose leash. He likes the other dogs we meet on the walks and will play with them if they are willing. We walked seven miles yesterday to the Lincoln Memorial and back and he was still ready to play in the backyard when we got home. Today we went to the Shirlington dog run and had a blast. He played great with all the other dogs both large and small. Cody meet a red Australian Cattle Dog http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Australian_ Cattle_Dog and the two of them took off like greased lightning trying to herd each other. It was the first time I saw him run a full speed with out any restraints and it was quite exciting. One of the women with a small dog complemented him on being a gentle playmate. When I called Cody to come to me in the dog park he came right away with his tail wagging.

We play fetch with a ball and it works real well. He gets the ball and brings it back and drops it in front of me. The other day we were walking up the U.S. Capitol grounds and we ran into a group of high school students. Cody was like a rock star as everyone wanted to pet him and play with him and tell him how handsome he was. He returned their warm affection.

Yesterday he went to the dog spa and got a bath and a combing to remove his winter under coat of down. He looks better than ever now.

I am not sure how Cody got to the shelter but it must be a sad story for the previous owners as he is such a good dog. Please thank everyone at the WARL for all the work they did to help Cody through the period in his life before the adoption. We have been very impressed with the professionalism of everyone we meet at WARL and have told glowing stories of your success to everyone we met. I hope you enjoy the pictures below.

Pat, Bill, and Cody

The Circus is Here -- Do Something!

Ringling Brothers paraded elephants down the streets of the Nation's capital yesterday with moms, dads, and kids lining up to get a good look at these enormous herbivores . In celebration of St. Patrick's Day the elephants were dressed in green hats and beads -- does that make sense? I've yet to see an elephant donning a hat or wearing beads or feathers when I'm marveling at the elephants on the elephant cam at http://www.tappedintoelephants.com/asp/index.php or watching a documentary highlighting elephants in their natural habitat.

Even people at the parade seemed confused by what they were watching. One parent was quoted in the Washington Post saying, "I've never been a big circus person. I'm not big on captivity. Me as a parent, I want my son to be able to enjoy the experience, but as a human being, it's not something I like. I'm sure the treatment the elephants receive from [Ringling Bros.] isn't as good as they would receive in a zoo, since they have to be trained to perform." But there he was with his two-year-old son. I suggest that they pop some popcorn and watch Planet Earth or Animal Planet together.

Since Ringling and other circuses refuse to change their ways, some communities are taking legislative action to end the abuse. Recently, the Joint Environment Committee of Connecticut's General Assembly passed HB 6555, a bill to protect elephants from abusive use of cruel and inhumane devices such as bullhooks and chains. This comes at a time when the trial against Ringling for violations of the Endangered Species Act is wrapping up in Washington, D.C.

Evidence from the trial has revealed that elephants are chained for an average of more than 26 hours at a time, and sometimes for as much as 60 to 100 hours, as the circus moves across the country, said Nicole Paquette, Senior Vice President of Born Free USA. Internal documents obtained by Born Free USA also reveal:

• Ringling's animal behaviorist reported "an elephant dripping blood all over the arena floor during the show from being hooked."


• In internal emails, a Ringling veterinary assistant reported that "[a]fter this morning's baths, at least 4 of the elephants came in with multiple abrasions and lacerations from the hooks." "The lacerations were very visible ... (a handler) applied wonder dust just before the show." Wonder dust is used to stop the bleeding of a wound and it is charcoal in color which covers up the spot from public view.


• Another report saw Troy Metzler, one of Ringling's elephant trainers, "hitting Angelica (an elephant) 3 to five times in the stocks before unloading her and then using an electric prod ..."


• Even circus CEO Kenneth Feld admitted in court that "he's seen handlers hit elephants under the chin, behind the ears or on the legs with a bull hook."

For more information on elephants and what you can do to help them go to:

http://www.savetheelephants.org/

http://www.bornfreeusa.org/

http://www.elephants.com/

Write to your legislators, media outlets and local venues where circuses rent space. Tell them that the abuse must stop. There are so many wonderful forms of entertainment that don't include animal cruelty -- ball games and other sporting events, movies, plays, and concerts. Enjoy the weekend. Do something fun that does not involve an elephant wearing a Leprechaun hat.

We Can Make a Difference!

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus will be pulling into Washington, D.C. this week. Ringling Bros. is currently on trial in federal court in Washington, D.C. for the cruel mistreatment of the elephants in its care. Many people who purchase tickets to the circus have no idea what life is like for a circus animals. Patrons need to be informed.

Those who want to see an end to the use and abuse of animals in traveling circuses, and want to help spread the word, are invited to help leaflet before each show at the Verizon Center, March 19-22nd. Volunteers can sign up online for one or more shifts at http://www.noanimalcircus.com. For more information, e-mail to NoAnimalCircus@hotmail.com.

A Rare Visitor in Washington

Washington Post photographer Linda Davidson took this picture of a snowy owl, and she didn't even have to go to some far off arctic place to get it. She snapped the photo in downtown Washington, D.C. The snowy owl, an unusual sight this far south, usually winters near Canada . Hopefully, the stop in the nation's capital was just a temporary layover on the bird's journey. Especially since snowy owls are known to feast on lemmings, a rodent common in arctic regions but not so in Washington.
To find out more about snowy owls go to: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Snowy_Owl_dtl.html or http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/snowy-owl.html

Dog Lost -- One Sad Story Worth a Read

Dog Lost, by Ingrid Lee is one of those books that you read and say, "Wow, glad this is just a story!". Truth be told, many of the horrors that befall that Cash, the beloved pitbull puppy belonging to 11-year-old MacKenzie, happen to animals every day. Cash is kicked by MacKenzie's alcoholic father, then thrown in the trunk of the car and then dumped and that's just beginning. The rest of the book focuses on MacKenzie's search for his dog and Cash's will to survive. Boy and dog are eventually reunited, but not after both suffer terribly. In real life, many abused and abandoned animals' stories do not end happily.

Read Lost Dog and think about how you feel about breed bans. Should any one particular breed of dog be outlawed? If all pitbulls are euthanized, then will another dog be labeled a menace to the community? What about Doberman Pinchers? How about Rottweilers or German Shepherds? It's not the breed that's bad, it's the people who treat the animals horribly, terrifying them so, their only recourse is to react like a dog.

An Interactive Book for Big Kids

Remember those fun books you had when you were a little kid? The ones where you pulled a cord or opened a door. Well, Scooter Strays by Howard Edelstein is an interactive book for elementary school readers.

Scooter gets out and is on his own. Thirsty, Scooter finds a puddle of antifreeze. What happens next? The reader decides. The reader controls the story by making a choice and turning to the corresponding page. You can read the book many times and essentially read a different story every time.

It's fun to read. Try writing your own interactive story!

All proceeds from the sale of Scooter Strays are donated to a local humane organization. The book can also be read on the Washington Humane Society's kids' page, www.whs-kids.org.

The Circus: Hardly Entertainment!

In a few weeks Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus will come to town. In addition to the circus, Ringling will begin their stay by parading animals down Pennsylvania Avenue. As in years past, people will line the parade route and gawk at the wild animals. Is that entertainment? Should we feel good about watching wild animals perform asinine stunts, that are totally unlike everything a wild animal would do in the wild?

What is the difference between watching the circus and watching a professional ball game? For starters, players want to play. They've spent their entire lives preparing to play. They love it. They eat, breathe, and sleep baseball, basketball or football. And, they get paid good money, no GREAT money, to play ball. They are entertainers. What about other entertainers -- musical groups, singers or actors? They, too, work hard to do what they want to do. They choose to entertain us. And they, too, are paid handsomely for performing for our enjoyment.

What about the circus elephant? Have you ever seen an elephant in Africa choose the life a circus performer? Would a wild animal choose to spend most of its life in a box car, traveling from one location to another? And, not traveling in first class either. Circus elephants are chained and shackled. They are forced to stand in their own waste. Extremely social animals, circus elephants are kept isolated. They are poked, prodded and beaten with bull hooks (a rod with a hook at the end) that circus personnel call "guides". Would an elephant in the wild wear jewels or clothing? Would it stand on two legs?

People make choices. Circus animals do not. If people choose NOT to buy tickets, circus owners will not make money. And, if circus owners do not make money, they will not be able to maintain their circuses. Currently, circus owners make gobs of money because people choose to buy tickets to see wild animals do "tricks". Circus owners make the money. What do circus animals get out of the circus?

Groundhog Day is NO Fun for the Groundhog

Today, newscasters throughout the U.S. will laugh and joke as they report on whether or not Punxsutaney Phil, a groundhog held in captivity in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, sees his shadow. Every year on February 2nd we go through this same ritual. Supposedly, if Phil (and other groundhogs) sees his shadow, then we will have six more weeks of winter. If the groundhogs do not see their shadows (really the groundhogs could care less whether there are shadows or not!) then spring will arrive early.

Did you know

• The groundhog, or woodchuck, is one of 14 species of marmots.
• These rodents gorge themselves all summer to build up reserves of fat.
• After the first frost, they burrow underground and sleep until spring, depending on their stored body fat for nourishment.
• While hibernating, the groundhog's heart rate slows, and its body temperature is not much warmer than the temperature inside its burrow.
• Female groundhogs give birth to a litter of 2 to 9 babies in the spring.
• Baby groundhogs stay with their mother for several months.
• Groundhogs are the largest members of the squirrel family.
• That though they are usually seen on the ground, groundhogs can climb trees and swim.
• Groundhogs are typically found in areas where woodlands meet open spaces, like fields, roads, or streams.
• Groundhogs eat grasses and plants as well as fruits and tree bark.
• The average groundhog lives for only one year.
• GROUNDHOGS CANNOT PREDICT THE WEATHER -- and according to the calendar, we have 6 more weeks of winter!