Beloved Author Writes Dog Poems With Her Daughter

I just got a copy of Patrica MacLachlan (Sarah Plain and Tall and lots of other wonderful books) and Emily MacLachlan's sweet dog poetry book, Once I Ate a Pie, 13 dogs tell-all-poems and according to the sticker on the book, Dog Approved -- very high praise.  Print date is 2006 -- sorry I've missed this charming collection for five years.

Only 12 more days in National Poetry Month.  Here's the title poem.  Mr. Beefy writes the title poem.  Enjoy!
I am not thin, but I am beautiful
When no one is looking,
I steal tubs of butter off the table.
I take them to the basement to eat in private
ONCE I ATE a PIE.

Don't be shy -- is there a dog or cat that you can write a poem about?  How about writing a poem from that animal's perspective? 

Wonderful Willie!

Max & Willie

Nearly 14-years-ago, my friend Kathy decided to adopt a dog.   Not just any dog, but a special dog.  The dog had to get along with Rebecca, Kathy's four-year old daughter.  When Willie moved in there was no question who he would get along with -- Rebecca, and just about everyone else.  

Willie died tonight.  I know Rebecca, nearly 18, is sad, very sad.  I know, too, that her mom, Kathy, is hurting.  Willie was there through good times and bad.  He was the ultimate cheerleader.  If dogs could smile, Willie's grin would have been plastered across his face 24/7.  

Willie was a little under a year old when Kathy met him at the D.C. animal control facility.  I can't remember how he got there.  He was one of those dogs that made you wonder out loud how could anyone give up such a sweet little guy.   He loved Kathy and Rebecca with every bone in his body.  They loved him at least as much, if not more.  Willie was a little dog with a big, generous heart that, sadly gave out today.   We'll miss you Willie.

A Responsible Animal Care Poem for YOU!

Jingles
by Peggy Archer


Wobbles new people have surely
put tags on that collar by now.
In fact, Wobbles has probably
outgrown that collar
 and has a new one with tags.

 from the book Name that Dog -- Puppy Poems from A to Z

Tags for  his house number.
Tags for his phone.
Shot tags
shaped like a bone.
Tags for his dog license
one every year.
Jingle! Jingle!
Dog tags
tell you when he's near.

Vote for Vixen!

Vixen lounging near her favorite
window in her forever home!

Only four more days to vote for the League in the ASPCA's Challenge to Save Lives grant opportunity.  Money awarded to the League will go directly to our adoptions program.  Help us place more wonderful animals in permanent loving homes.   If you viewed our adoptable dogs a few months ago you would have run across Vixen, a cute, fluffy Chow mix up.  Here's an update from her forever home!

[Here's] a photo of Vixen in front of her favorite window. It looks down on the street so she can watch the neighbors and their dogs pass by. Vixen prefers to be outside meeting them in person,
but watching them is the next best thing.

Thanks to Juanishia and all the other staff who took care of Vixen and helped my family adopt her. Vixen adds so much love to our lives, our happiness meters have all jumped up since she arrived.

Help the League jump start more happiness meters, please votes.  Post the link on facebook pages, email the link to friends and family, spread the word.  Click here http://challenge.aspcapro.org/vote-your-shelter

VOTE --ASPCA CHALLENGE! Read the Inspirational Update Below

Joia before she had a bed to store her toys!

I've been meaning to share this sweet story for some time now.  And, since we are deep into the ASPCA Challenge to Save Lives with just five days of voting left, I thought that today would be perfect to post a very happy story.  Enjoy! 

Two Month Update!   I adopted "Carmela" ... and I have come to learn that I did not rescue her but she rescued me. She truly is my best little buddy and it has been such a joy watching her personality develop and she has really come into her own. Matter of fact, her name is now Joia... Italian for Joy because not only does she have the cutest little way of jumping for Joy but she has brought me tons of it!

Joia has been such a blessing. We go to the small dog park and she has tons of fun playing with her new friends. She also has met a bunch of other dogs and has become quite the hostess in having puppy play dates at her new home. She is also in her second week of doggy school and is a star pupil- she picks up everything so fast- she is so smart and eager to please! She is fierce at tug of war and is very proud every time she "kills" one of her stuffed animals :) Her favorite toy is her tug of war rope and she likes to sleep with her pinky bear in the human's bed- she has a dog bed that is now just used to store all of her toys because she finds the memory foam people bed much more suited to her liking :)

I just want to thank you all for the wonderful work you do and let you know about TWO more lives that you have made better!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE -- Help Save Lives and Vote for the Washington Animal Rescue League!

Everyone at the League is working hard to qualify for a chance to win the ASPCA’s $100K Challenge, and we need your help. All you have to do is vote for the League online once a day, every day, until Friday, April 15. It only takes a second, and thousands of animal lives can be saved and improved. Just click here http://challenge.aspcapro.org/vote-your-shelter to be connected to the ASPCA's site.  If we are one of the top 50 organizations, we will be eligible to compete for $100,000 and place more animals in loving, forever homes. 

There's just one week left to vote.  Please ask your friends and family to vote, too.  Every vote counts!

 

Thanks so much for helping! Your daily click will help animals like Apple, Yogi and Achilles pictured here! 

Micky & Merl Getting Checked Out

Merl peeks around the desk in my office. 
He's not very happy to be here.

Micky likes being in the office.  He has
no problem cat-napping before his
appointment in the medical center.

Enough rambling about rambunctious little Charlotte. The older guys in the house need attention, too. And, not just cuddle-time; they need more veterinary care than Charlotte. Micky and Merl are hanging in my office today since both are going to be examined by Dr. Rosen later today. Nothing is wrong, just slowing down, getting older. And, neither Mick nor Merl can tell me what, if anything, ails them. So, Dr. Rosen will poke, prod and ask me lots of questions. "Are they eating?" Yes. "Are the throwing up?" Yes. "Which one?" Not sure, probably Merl. And, since I'm not as observant as I could be, Dr. Rosen will have to use other tools of the veterinary profession to investigate further. Both cats will have blood drawn. And both cats will probably have their urine checked. Neither cat will cooperate, both will have to be held down.  But, when it's over, I'll know if they need anything extra to keep them healthy so they feel up to keeping Charlotte in line.

Spring Kittens Grow Into Winter Cats

Chickory is a good mom

Shelters know spring has sprung a few weeks before the first crocus has bloomed.  Kittens -- a telltale sign of spring, summer and fall.  Our three lobby windows are filled kittens, including this litter and their mom.  Our cat room is just as packed -- with cats.  Kittens grow up to be cats.  Quickly.  In less than a year.  And, some of the cats in our cat room were here as kittens and then returned to us as full grown cats.  Sure, we would much rather have people return animals to us than discard them some other way.  But, I'd like to remind every potential adopter, every person who oogles at a kitten and implusively takes one --  or two -- home, that cats are not goldfish.  An indoor cat lives to to be 15 or more.   Potential adopters who are smitten with kittens may want to consider providing a MOM cat a forever home, or think about adopting a couple of our full-grown returned cats.  I'm reminded regularly, when Charlotte bites my ear at 2:00 a.m., that kittens may be entertaining, but they also like to be entertained at odd hours.

Caring Kids Create Crafts for Cats!

Atessa and Neeknaz test their fancy cat dancers with one playful kitty.

Say that five times fast -- Caring Kids Create Crafts for Cats! -- five times .   Neeknaz and Atessa are spending a week helping the animals at the League.   Through their school's minimester the friends have spent the week helping staff with administrative duties, learning about dog training, and socializing cats and dogs.  They also spend their mornings before their volunteer hours and their afternoons hours after their League time baking dog biscuits, designing and constructing cat dancers and catnip toys, and holding a bake sale to benefit the animals!   Their dedication and strong work ethic has made their week whiz by; staff -- and animals -- will miss them when they go back to a regular school day after spring break!  Thanks Neeknaz and Atessa.

A Busy Monday -- Pit Bull Spay/Neuter Day



Shawn and his buddy, Cocoa,

wait to check into the

free spay/neuter pit bull day

hosted on the second Monday

of every month.  Look at the smile

on that dog!







King, a kissy-face 8-month-old pit bull pup, plants a wet one on Sean's face as they wait to check into the clinic.  King is a lucky dog.  His guardian really cares!



Today is Albert Einstein's birthday.  It's also the League's monthly FREE pit bull spay-neuter day.  What does the League's pit bull spay-neuter day have in common with Albert Einstein?  They are both really, really smart -- Albert Einstein was a smart man with great ideas and spaying or neutering your animal companion is a smart idea.   Spaying or neutering your dog or cat is not only the right thing to do, but it shows that you know how much healthier your cat or dog will be post surgery.  That makes you really smart -- just like Einstein.  Spaying or neutering reduces or eliminates the possibility of reproductive system diseases.  It also reduces an animal's urge to roam, making him less likely to get lost, injured or become a victim of abuse.  And, it shows that your Einstein-like action is helping to end animal suffering.    It is estimated that there are 6-8 million homeless animals entering animal shelters every year.  That exorbitant number doesn't even begin to reflect all of the stray, feral and cast-off animals who never make it to a shelter.  Twenty-one pit bulls were spayed or neutered today at the League's FREE spay/neuter day.   None of those dogs will be contributing to the animal overpopulation crisis.  I'm sure that Albert Einstein would agree that those are some pretty smart people who took advantage of a pretty smart idea.  The next FREE spay/neuter day is set for Monday, April 11th. 

The Cruelest Show on Earth -- Coming Soon, but for a Very Limited Stay

I began attending circus protests more than 25 years ago.  One circus after another rolled into D.C. and stayed, for what seemed like, forever.  Each  exploited wild animals all in the name of "entertainment."  In 1995 Newt Gingrich,  then speaker of the House, and other members of Congress celebrated the 175th anniversary of the Ringling Brothers Circus on the lawn of the Capitol.   I was there nearby along with a bus load of DCPS students.  We peacefully protested the mistreatment of circus animals.  Students wore shirts with SAVE -- Students Against Violent Entertainment -- emblazoned across their chests, waved posters depicting chained elephants and bears in tutus, and chanted "Ho Ho, Stop the Abuse, Ringling Brothers has got to GO". 

They went, but  after their run.  And, they came back.     Ringling Brothers comes to the area at the same time year after year.  They know, however, that they are definitely wearing out their welcome.  Ringling Brothers, with their Greatest Show On Earth signed traveling trailers filled with chained elephants and caged lions, tigers, and bears, and an assortment of  exotic animals pulls into town.  But, I know that their business has dropped off.  It used to be that that circus took up residence at  the D.C. Armory for two or more weeks.  This year they are advertising just nine performances over four days at the Verizon Center.  AND sales of those show tickets are heavily discounted through ticket brokers.  

People are getting it.  Young people especially.  The Birney Elementary School students who, in 1997, helped the Humane Society of the United States create the video, Behind the Big Top, The Real Life of Circus Animals, are now adults.  Those students who took their campaign against cruelty it to the streets for lawmakers, passersby and news crews to see are now adults.  Kids who have grown up watching Discovery and Nature videos are now adults, too.  And, these young adults know the truth,  and will NOT pay to watch animal abuse.  They are going to end it.   And, they may even be the ones passing  out leaflets depicting the truth about circus animals in front of the Verizon Center March 24 27.



Home! 

I am always amazed at how resilient animals are.  Why would a cat, who was confined and horribly mistreated in a laboratory, walk right out of the carrier and explore the exam room in a veterinary hospital?  Eyot, one of the cats rescued from the Professional Laboratory and Research Services, Inc. (PLRS) in Gates County, North Carolina in September and brought to the League, did just that.    On a recent trip to Friendship Hospital for Animals, Eyot walked in and out of her cage curiously exploring the exam room.  Most cats, including mine, try to blend in with the carrier rather than venture out of their safe enclosure.  Could Eyot's self confidence have anything to do with her former life?  Is it possible that she knew that her recent trip to the vet was all good, and that her kind caregiver would, of course, take her back home?    After all, Eyot, reports her adopter is the "queen of the house and into everything."

Less than 6 months ago more than  200 animals, including this stunning black and white beauty, were relinquished from the facility after the release of undercover videos and testimony documenting neglect and cruel conditions of the animals in their care.  (Read the Washington Examiner article about the rescue -- http://www.examiner.com/animal-welfare-in-washington-dc/from-research-labs-to-dogfighting-rings-warl-welcomes-abused-animals).  

Remembering the Holidays and Our Trip to the League

Ms. Sherk and 4th graders at the League

Sometimes it takes me awhile to get to everything on my "to do" list.  Today I'm catching up on reading journal entries that students in Ms. Sherk's 4th grade at West Education Center wrote.  Here are excerpts from three of them.

If I were a rescue dog who had to spend Christmas in the animal shelter, I would feel happy because I will be with my dog friends and will be with people and dogs and cats that really, really, really care about us.  TREASURE

The cat room was like a world just made for cats.  JORDYN



Rylie tells Kara  and students what a dog says!



Girls in the cat-room!



My trip to the Washington Animal Rescue League was awesome.  I had a great time and saw  a lot of animals.   I played with Momo, he jumped on my back.  It was the best trip ever.  RAHLEK

Dissection is Not Good Science

The other night I was driving my son, Max, and his friend to a party.  Max's friend mentioned that he was sorry that the unit on dissection was over.   When I asked why, he told me how "cool" it was -- that one group had a pregnant frog, and that they got to see all of the eggs when they opened her up.  He said, too, that he could tell that his frog died while jumping; he knew that to be true by the position of the frog's legs.  Maybe Max's friend will grow up to be a scientist -- maybe not.  My guess is that 99.9 % of the kids in that class learned nothing of real importance from dissecting the frog, the sheep's heart or the chicken wing.   The one sure message that middle school dissection projects continue to give is that animal life is unimportant --  killing thousands of frogs so 12 and 13-year-olds can poke at muscle could  be worth an A.  

Today, Max and I spent a the morning in the cat room at the League.   He's working on a science project trying to determine whether or not gender has any bearing on which paw -- right or left -- is dominant.  The complete results aren't in, but as the official project photographer, I got some cute pictures!

Dogs & Guns -- A Sad Search

I was told that a D.C. police officer shot a Labrador Retriever yesterday.  Apparently the officer felt threatened -- the unleashed dog, Russell, rushed toward him; several shots were fired severely wounding the dog.  While searching for that article http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/dc/dog-shot-by-dc-police-officer-021511# I found this one -- Kyrgyzstan aims to shoot 10,000 stray dogs in 2011 -- on the WTOP website, reported by the Associated Press  http://www.wtop.com/?sid=2272573&nid= .  This is where I am supposed to write something profound -- my fingers are frozen.

Catapalooza -- A Success!

Owl catching up on her winks.

WOW!!! 27 out of 38 cats received applications during our Catapalooza event. Here's a photo of one of the kitties still waiting for someone to pick her. Maybe one of the new adopters will visit again and take Owl, too. There was so much excitement yesterday; this chubby calico spent a good portion of her day hiding safely in her condo. Today she's comfy and catching up on her beauty sleep.

I think what she needs is a purple bedspread to nap on -- her lovely calico markings will look stunning on a the royal color.  Any empty purple bedspreads out there?  How about royal blue?  Pink might be nice, too.  Or green.

Sampson's Happy Progress Report

When Sampson, an incredibly handsome and sweet dog, came to the League we asked  local emergency responders if they might be interested in adopting him as a working dog. 

Even though Sampson proved to be all play and no work, the team who came to see him recognized his potential.  An all points bulletin went out --

Sampson would make someone or some family an amazing parter for life. He is so willing to please, calm and sure of himself, but not in a pushy or dominant way. He is not high drive enough for detection, but loves to retrieve tennis balls and has a bomb proof temperament. He is gorgeous, inside and out, neutered and healthy except for a very, very slight heart murmur. This dog is special. He needs a great home!!!!!!!! If you know someone looking for an amazing GSD for their home--HERE HE IS.

Sampson has been with us for about a month.   He has graduated to Lacrosse balls. Tennis balls proved to be no match for his powerful jaw! He LOVES to be outside. The snow and cold weather don't seem to bother him at all. He likes the snow a lot! He gladly shares his new bed with Amber (Yellow Lab). He  loves to please. I took him to work with me. He was like the king. EVERYBODY loved him. He spent hours playing with all the officers at the station. 

Magnificent Merlin!



Compfy Merlin?

 Merlin was one of those cats who lived at the League for a long time.  A big bruiser, who liked to hang out, Merlin went unnoticed by potential adopters, but not staff and volunteers.  He was always a favorite.  So, when a loyal League volunteer offered to foster Merlin we all celebrated his move to a temporary home. An appeal on the League's Facebook page struck a chord with a potential adopter, and in no time Merlin moved on to his forever home where he is "doing great," reports his new person.  Being a foster home is not easy -- it's hard not to become so attached that it's impossible to give the animal up.  But, when fosters end up becoming adopters, we lose those foster homes.  Merlin  was lucky to be offered a foster home, and lucky for the League that Merlin's foster person was able, with reservation, to let go.  Maybe she will open up her spare room to another foster cat soon!

The Case of the Missing Earring

I lost one of my very favorite earrings yesterday.   I was walking Nigel and the earring must have slipped off my ear.   I discovered it was gone as soon as we got home.  It's not the end of the world, but I did think -- that given that we walked only two blocks -- Nigel should be able to track the lost earring.  After all, Steven Reinberg's Health Day article Trained Labrador Can Sniff Out Colon Cancer,   http://consumer.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=649419 details how "specially trained 8-year-old female Labrador retriever named Marine is able to detect colorectal cancer among patients with up to 98 percent accuracy."   I showed Nigel the remaining earring.  I put it right under his nose, and then we retraced our steps -- twice.  No earring.  He stopped several times spending a little extra time sniffing leaves and tires, but the green and orange glass earring was never located.

Catapalooza
Sunday, February 13th
for more info
http://www.warl.org/news-events/events/catapalooza/

Meet Maraschino!
at Catapalooza.

 Our third annual Catapalooza is a celebration of cats. Cats are the number one animal companion these days. Stop by the League from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 13th and meet all of the wonderful cats available for adoption.   On second thought, come by and visit before Catapalooza; the cats are anxious to move  into their forever homes, no sense waiting another 10 days!



What Did You Do Without Electricity?

In our dark, cold  house, during the nearly 48 hours without electricity after the mega-snowstorm, the one warm spot was right in front of the roaring fire in our living room fireplace.  Charlotte figured Merl needed more than fire heat.  Look closely, she's perched on top of her buddy, Merl.  I'm happy to report that the furnace has worked splendidly since 5:08 p.m. Friday and is cranked up as we wait for a "small" mixed precipitation storm. 

Stuck in the Storm -- Emergency Plans Needed for Animals

Like thousands of drivers, I was stuck in the snow storm on Wednesday night.  Max & I  picked up Natalie from a dance class in Rockville, Maryland around 5:30 p.m. and pulled into our Silver Spring neighborhood well after 2:00 a.m. on Thursday morning.    We made one  pit stop during the trek home.  At around 9:45 p.m. we  arrived at friends' house, about 6 miles from our home; we could have spent the night there, but Nigel and the cats were home alone.   The cats had food, water and clean litter, but Nigel had not eaten dinner and does not use a litter box.  We decided to keep traveling.  So, close to midnight we set out for the final leg of our long journey. 

Charlotte insists on
experiencing her first
real snow fall from the
screened in porch

You hear about what you should have in your car for such emergencies -- food, water, shovel, cat litter, a scraper, and something to keep you warm.  But, I never thought of having an emergency plan in place so Nigel and the cats would be safe and comfortable if I could not get home  When we finally opened the door at that early morning hour, Nigel rushed outside, happy to see us, and lifted his leg for what seemed like 5 minutes!   We went into our dark house -- like thousands of others in the area our power was out -- fed Nigel a meal that was neither breakfast nor dinner and fell into bed with cats cuddling close.  

Nigel greets Max and Rachel
after they return from sledding



The next day, still no power, but we were safe at home.  Nigel went outside several times and Charlotte insisted on seeing the snow from the screened in porch. 

As soon as the snow melts,  I will venture back on the road to get my next door neighbor a key for such emergencies.  

People Who Abuse Animals Rarely Stop There

The lead sentence from Tricia Bishop's (a Baltimore Sun reporter) January 9th article reads --
Seven months after Baltimore prosecutors dropped gun and drug charges against teenage twins accused of setting fire to a pit bull puppy, one of the young men was arrested again — this time on attempted murder charges.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-johnson-20110109,0,4976118.story

In her article in today's Sun, reporter Bishop explains that the animal cruelty trial, including jury selection, begins today.  The accused, now 18-years-old, are not going to find many sympathizers.  When the heinous crime was committed, and then publicized, people across the country were outraged; they responded with reward offers and verbal lashings.  The criminals need to be punished to the fullest degree of the law.  The pain that they inflicted on the dog was unimaginable.  They committed a crime, and from the looks of the January 9th article, they are still involved in criminal activity.  It may be hard to find an impartial jury, but one must be seated and allowed to hear and see the evidence so the maximum penalty can be imposed.

See right hand side of the blog, about 1/2 way down, for more information on the case of Phoenix, the dog who was burned alive.

Nature provided a a mega slip and slide during the night. It's a good day to stay inside, but dogs still have to go outside for quick bathroom breaks.  Cats don't.  Keep your cat indoors, especially in the cold. 

Remember to thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice.  Unknowingly your dog can eat salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice. Do something inside with your dog or cat.   Read them a good book.  For ideas, check out the book selection on the right hand side of page.  You'll need to scroll down a bit.  Stay warm.

Army dog handler based at Fort Belvoir dies in Afghanistan

The link to the story mentioned above is on the right side of the page below the Friendship Hospital for Animals' Dr. Hughes' blog.  

Every day we learn about death and tragedy.  Last week the nation was grief stricken over the horrific massacre in Arizona.   In today's paper the death of 28-year-old  Sergeant Zainah Caye Creamer is buried in the local section.   Death in war is an every day occurrence.  All the violence needs to end.  Too much hurt, too much suffering. 

A Sick Day for Amos McGee Wins Prestigious Award

I have not read A Sick Day for Amos McGee, so I am not in a position to criticize.   But I will --  sort of.  This book, illustrated by Erin E. Stead and written by her husband Philip C. Stead, won the Caldecott Award for 2011 -- that puts it in the same company as Officer Buckle and Gloria, one of my very favorite picture books.     I am opposed to books depicting zoos as happy-go-lucky places.  Even whimsical drawings that bear no resemblance to actual animals can subliminally give the impression that caged animals are happy.  I do not believe that to be true..

Long Time League Resident Relocates to Forever Home

Relaxed at Home for the Holidays

Visitors to our cat room often remarked on the beautiful long-haired cat who spent most of her time on the floor rather than her kitty condo.  It took Daytona, now named Misty, a long time to choose her forever home.  However, a recent after-the-holidays-update confirmed that Misty chose well.
Her personalty has really come out. She seeks attention and loves being scratched around her ears and neck, but doesn't like being picked up and isn't a lap cat. She's very friendly with everybody and will sit right next to you, but not on you. Sometimes she sleeps on the foot of our bed, but most of the time in her sleeping box I made for her.

New Year's Resolutions

New Year's Resolutions are meant to be kept. 

So I'm making only two :

Ike, agrees wholeheartedly with my resolutions

• To write about the antics of Charlotte no more than once a week
• Tell everyone who walks into the cat room that they should adopt Ike, Antoinette, or any one of the other wonderful cats patiently waiting for forever homes.

Well., I made a third -- no chocolate before 12 noon --  but that one was broken on New Year's Day.