Kallee and Tamara

Kallee and Tamara
A Beautiful Summer Day.

Madam Kallee, CTD, CGC - 1994-2005 - Certified Therapy Dog and a Canine Good Citizen

Madam Kallee, CTD, CGC - 1994-2005 - Certified Therapy Dog and a Canine Good Citizen
I am so pretty!

Kallee, T.D.I., CGC - Certified Therapy Dog and a Canine Good Citizen - 1994-2005

Kallee, T.D.I., CGC - Certified Therapy Dog and a Canine Good Citizen - 1994-2005
I loved to pose for the camera.

Hat Girl.

Hat Girl.
The things I do for my mom!

Happiness.

Happiness.
Bubby knows how to scratch a tummy.

Best of Friends.

Best of Friends.
Mine! No, Mine!, No Mine!!!

Whew !

Whew !
Bubby wears me out!

This is the Life.

This is the Life.
Just relaxing with bubby.

Kallee and Mr. Monkey

Kallee and Mr. Monkey
See Mr. Monkey? Wanna play?

Miss Cool.

Miss Cool.
I loved to wear my shades.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Charleston WV woman charged with animal cruelty and possible dogfighting.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A Charleston woman is facing animal cruelty charges after authorities seized 13 pit bulls suspected of being raised as fighters at her home. Danielle Digiorgi is scheduled for arraignment Sept. 19 in Charleston Municipal Court on charges of animal cruelty and tethering violations. The latter charge stems from heavy chains used to restrain some of the dogs. Humane Officer Clarence Carte said Wednesday that he found what looked to be a makeshift arena and exercise equipment similar to kinds used in illegal dog fighting operations at Digiorgi’s home last month. He went to the home based on an anonymous tip.

Source: Herald Dispatch 8/29/07.Woman’s lawyer says dog fighting allegations false
The Associated Press



CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The lawyer for a woman facing animal cruelty charges after 13 pit bulls were seized from her property denies allegations that the dogs may have been trained for fighting. Mike DelGiudice, who represents Danielle Digiorgi of Charleston, said the case has been sensationalized because of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick’s case. Vick pleaded guilty Monday to a federal dogfighting charge in Richmond, Va. “There is no dog fighting going on, no training for dog fighting going on,” DelGiudice said. “All the dogs were well cared for. These are not vicious dogs. They are good dogs. Nobody mistreated them or abused them.” Humane Officer Clarence Carte said Wednesday that he found what looked to be a makeshift arena and exercise equipment similar to kinds used in illegal dog fighting operations at Digiorgi’s home last month. He went to the home based on an anonymous tip. Carte said the animals had no scratches or marks that would show they had been sparring. “She had a dog, her fiance had a dog and some friend of hers needed her to take care of her dogs for a while,” DelGiudice said. “There were some tables put together to contain the puppies. That’s it. There is nothing to this. It has been trumped up.” Digiorgi is scheduled for arraignment Sept. 19 in Charleston Municipal Court on charges of animal cruelty and tethering violations. The latter charge stems from heavy chains used to restrain some of the dogs.

Source: Herald Dispatch 9/3/07

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

How to stop your dog from chewing.

Stopping your dog from chewing everything in sight.

It is only natural for dogs to want to chew. It is a natural instinct, but they need to be trained what they can and can't chew without causing problems. While they might feel the need to sharpen their teeth you certainly don't want them to be doing that on your furniture. It is a lot cheaper to invest some money in suitable toys that thedog can chew or get their teeth cleaned professionally than to replace expensive household items. The simplest method of training a dog not to chew everything in sight is to confine it to a small area where only those things that it should be allowed to chew are present. The dog will then become accustomed to the smell of those things that it is allowed to chew and then when it is allowed out into the household where other items are present you can teach it not to chew items such as furniture, shoes, clothing, etc. It is also possible to teach an old dog not to chew items by using the same techniques although it is harder if it has been doing this for many years of its life. It is always preferable to teach your dog the lessons they need to know as soon as possible as training gets harder with the age of the dog. If the dog is going to be left inside for extended periods while
you're not around it is wise to remove any items that you don't want it to chew until it is fully trained. Until that time, the dog should be content with suitable chewing toys.

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

The "Come" Command.

The Command to Come when Called.

One of the most basic and important commands that you will need to teach your dog is to come when called. No matter what else happens, if you have taught your dog this command you will always be able to maintain control whether at home or in public. Should your dog ever get off it's leash or escape from your property you will know that when you call it that it will come back and this certainly makes life a lot easier for the dog owner. For working dogs, this is a vital skill as a handler needs to know that at any time they can get the dog back beside them and ready for their next command. When you are comfortable that your dog knows the commands of 'stay' and 'come' you no longer have to be as concerned that it needs to be kept on a leash at all times. This allows both the owner and the dog to have a lot more freedom. Generally, this command of 'come' is incorporated when teaching the dog to stay, as these two lessons work hand-in-hand with one another. The dog is first taught to stay and then the owner will teach the dog to come, while still on an extended leash. After gaining success in getting the dog to come, while still on a leash, the owner can then teach it to do so without the leash. Obviously for an untrained animal this would be better taught in an enclosed area until the dog has learned to respond to that command.

Friday, August 17, 2007

The Michael Vick Dog Fighting Case.

Today, 8/17/07, the last of the co-defendants in the Michael Vick dog fighting case, plead guilty and agreed to testify against Vick. They say that Vick participated in the execution of at least 8 dogs that did not do well in pre-fight testing. The outrageous thing is Vick's attorney's and the Prosecution are trying to "hammer" out a plea deal for Vick. This is ludicrous! The NFL commissioner suspended Pac Man Jones when he tested dirty for an illegal substance for 1 yr. The only thing that has been done to Vick is the Falcon's owner, Mr. Blank told him not to report to training camp. The NFL commissioner has yet to make a decision about Vick's future. That is ludicrous, too. More as it develops.

8/20/07 - Vick took a plea agreement. He will not go to trial and will probably not serve the maximum 5 yr. sentence. But, he will do jail time.

Update on Vick:
Goodell suspended the Atlanta Falcons quarterback indefinitely without pay Friday, just hours after Vick filed a plea agreement that portrayed him as less involved than three co-defendants and guilty mainly of poor judgment for associating with them. In a letter to Vick, Goodell admonished him for "reprehensible" acts and for associating with people engaged in gambling in violation of NFL rules. He also rebuked him for seemingly trying to paint himself as something other than the ringleader. "You are now justifiably facing consequences for the decisions you made and the conduct in which you engaged. Your career, freedom and public standing are now in the most serious jeopardy," Goodell wrote. "I hope that you will be able to learn from this difficult experience and emerge from it better prepared to act responsibly and to make the kinds of choices that are expected of a conscientious and law abiding citizen." Vick acknowledged bankrolling gambling on the dogfights, but denied placing bets himself or taking any of the winnings. He admitted that dogs not worthy of the pit were killed "as a result of the collective efforts" of himself and two co-defendants The commissioner said Vick's admitted conduct was "not only illegal but also cruel and reprehensible." Even if he didn't personally place bets, Goodell said, "your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL player contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player." Goodell freed the Falcons to "assert any claims or remedies" to recover $22 million of Vick's signing bonus from the 10-year, $130 million contract he signed in 2004. The commissioner didn't speak to Vick but based his decision on the court filings. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Goodell might meet with Vick in the future, and Goodell said he would review the suspension after all the legal proceedings. "You have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the NFL and have violated the league's personal conduct policy," Goodell told Vick in a letter after meeting in New York with Falcons president and general manager Rich McKay. Falcons owner Arthur Blank supported Goodell's decision. "We hope that Michael will use this time, not only to further address his legal matters, but to take positive steps to improve his personal life," Blank said. Nike, meanwhile, terminated its contract with Vick. Earlier Friday, a "summary of facts" signed by Vick and his lawyers was filed along with his written plea agreement on a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge. "While Mr. Vick is not personally charged with or responsible for committing all of the acts alleged in the indictment, as with any conspiracy charge, he is taking full responsibility for his actions and the actions of the others involved," the defense team said in a written statement after the plea agreement was filed. "Mr. Vick apologizes for his poor judgment in associating himself with those involved in dog fighting and realizes he should never have been involved in this conduct," the statement said. Vick and his lawyers said his involvement was limited when it came to the enterprise known as the Bad Newz Kennels. "Our position has been that we are going to try to help Judge Hudson understand all the facts and Michael's role," Vick's defense attorney, Billy Martin, said in telephone interview. "Michael's role was different than others associated with this incident." In court papers, Vick said he provided most of the Bad Newz Kennels operation and gambling monies, echoing language in plea agreements by the three co-defendants - Tony Taylor, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips. When the dogs won, the statement said, gambling proceeds were generally shared by Taylor, Peace and Phillips. "Vick did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights. Vick did not receive any of the proceeds of the purses that were won by Bad Newz Kennels," the court document said. According to the statement, Vick also was involved with the others in killing six to eight dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions in April. The dogs were executed by drowning or hanging. "Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts" of Vick, Phillips and Peace, the statement said. In the plea agreement, the government committed to recommending a sentence on the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range of a year to 18 months. However, the conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, and the judge is not bound by any recommendation or by the guidelines. Hudson has a reputation for imposing stiff sentences, according to lawyers who have appeared in his court. The judge will set a sentencing date at Monday's hearing. Martin said Vick will "speak to the public and explain his actions." Though he declined to say when and where, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, a syndicated program based in Dallas, said it will have a live interview with Vick on Tuesday. The case began in April when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick's cousin raided a Surry County property owned by Vick and found dozens of dogs, some injured, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting. A federal indictment issued in July charged Vick, Peace, Phillips and Taylor with an interstate dogfighting conspiracy. Vick initially denied any involvement, and all four men pleaded innocent. The three co-defendants later pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Vick. Taylor was the first to change his plea, saying Vick financed the dogfighting ring's gambling and operations. Peace and Phillips soon followed, alleging that Vick joined them in killing dogs that did not measure up in test fights. The sickening details outlined in the indictment and other court papers prompted a public backlash against Vick, who had been one of the NFL's most popular players. Animal-rights groups mobilized against Vick - even protesting at NFL headquarters in New York - and sponsors dropped him. "It is fitting that the NFL has suspended him," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "He's now a role model for something terrible, and it's not appropriate that he suit up in an NFL uniform."

source: AP National News

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Is your dog an escape artist?

Dogs that generally try to escape from their property are usually
those that have not been trained or are bored. Boredom is most often the case, and giving your dog suitable stimulation to ensure that he/she remains contented on the property can prevent this. This can be as simple as leaving toys for your dog to play with, fresh water and a suitable place to sleep, shelter from the weather, and anything else that the dog might need while you aren't in attendance. Obviously a big fence and a locked gate will go a long way to deter your dog from escaping. Consider the alternative of trying to catch your dog once it has escaped, and the damage that can be done, should it run out in front of a cyclist or a car. Prevention is always best. Giving your dog regular exercise will also reduce the likelihood of it wanting to escape. Even the fact that the dog knows it will be getting exercise when you arrive home will eliminate much of the possibility of having it escape during the time when you're away. If your dog gets this exercise before you go out you are less likely to have problems because it is more likely to sleep after having exercised.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Help for the Mason County WV Animal Shelter.

Rescuers from North Carolina, the greater Washington, D.C. area and as far away as Maine. Over the weekend, all 54 cats were transported to a no-kill shelter in Moore County, N.C. People with A Forever Home in northern Virginia drove six hours to rescue 38 animals deemed suitable for travel. Some other dogs were taken to Maine, Roach said. Between 20 and 30 of the remaining animals are being spayed or neutered daily, Roach said. Workers at the shelter continued to try to find homes for many of the remaining animals. Time is of the essence, though. The county commission has hired an animal control team from Parkersburg that will visit the shelter next week to make recommendations for animals that should be euthanized.

excerpts from the Herald Dispatch - 8/7/07

The Mason County Animal Shelter has now been taken over by the county. All but 7 of the close to 400 dogs were placed or picked up by rescue groups from as faraway as Maine. Thanks so much to those groups! The shelter will no longer be a no-kill as of 8/17/07

How to stop your dog from jumping on people.

Jumping on People.

No matter how much we might enjoy our pet jumping up to greet us,
there are many people who dislike having a strange dog coming up
and jumping on them. For many people it can be a frightening experience as not everyone is a dog lover. Besides that, many people just don't want dirty paw marks over their clothing. It can also create major problems if a large dog were to jump up on a child or an elderly person. Dogs will generally jump up on people because they are overly excited and pleased to see them - even if that person is a stranger.
Many people inadvertently encourage this behavior by rewarding the dog with attention after the dog has jumped up on them. The dog then seeks similar reward from other people whether they like it or not. This is detrimental to the proper training of the dog and all members of the family must realize that they're doing more harm than good by encouraging their dog to jump up on people. Consistency is important in all forms of dog training, where members of the dog's family will need to exercise discipline and accept that training will be all the more difficult if the dog is allowed to continue with this behavior. Failure to do so will lead to confusion with the pet not knowing what is right or wrong. An alternative to having your dog jump up on you and other people is to teach it to sit and lift it's paw when greeting you for a handshake or similar tricks where the dog will be rewarded with attention.

Monday, August 6, 2007

Donating to an animal shelter.

Animal Shelters.


A brief guide to America's shelters, who is taking credit for what, and where your donations go. Wayne Cavanaugh (President of the United Kennel Club)

Did you ever get mail from the "humane society"? Donation solicitations, Christmas cards, free address labels? Was it from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the American Humane Association (AHA), or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)? Did you ever wonder who they are and what they do? What about during disaster relief efforts, did you
ever wonder where to send your donations?

Don't know the answers to these questions? You are not alone. Even among the most dedicated dog lovers there is huge misunderstanding and confusion when it comes to our nation's shelters and the SAS – that is, the Shelter Alphabet Soup, that comes with them.


In the late 1990's, a group called the California Coalition of Animal Advocates convened to try to find answers to issues dog-related population issues. Their work included a study to find out who and where the animal shelters were in America. It sounded easy enough until they discovered that a national list of shelters did not exist, and, contrary to popular opinion, there wasn't a "humane society" or any other type of organization that oversaw all of America's shelters!

So who, what, and where are the nation's shelters? Who are these big fund-raising groups, and how are they related to shelters? Where do they get their money, and who is running them? To start, the coalition funded a study to create shelter list of every shelter in America. They knew it would always be changing and would never be complete, but they also knew it would be a lot better than what existed, which was nothing. They hired university graduate students to do the only thing that would work – the students called every town, municipality, city, village, township, hamlet and county in America and asked if they had a shelter, what they called it and who ran it. The answers were interesting and the list was compiled. Today, there is still no national organization overseeing or coordinating America's shelters.

Here are some facts that most people do not realize.


The Humane Society of the Untied States (HSUS) does not operate a single animal shelter in America or anywhere else. That's right, not one. Makes you wonder how many people send them money thinking they were the local animal shelter.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) does operate a shelter and an animal hospital - they are both in New York City. That's it, a New York City shelter only. It is a highly regarded shelter, but New York clearly isn't the nationwide shelter list some people think of when they think of the ASPCA. To be fair, the ASPCA does humane work all over the nation, but as far as operating shelters, well, no.
The American Humane Association (AHA) operates no shelters, but does have about 300 shelters that are affiliated and agree to maintain AHA standards of care at their shelters.
What about the SPCA? Is there a national organization called the SPCA (society for the prevention of cruelty to animals)? Nope. Sorry. "SPCA" is simply a term, or abbreviation, used for most any animal shelter but it is NOT a nationwide organization. It's a generic for what we say instead of "dog pound", "animal shelter", or "humane society".

Now you can see the confusion! When national groups use words like humane society, or letters such as SPCA in their name, people think they are giving to their local shelter. But they, of course, are not.

So who runs the local shelter in your town? It could be anyone from volunteers, to your local government, to a private party. Many rural areas simply have a person, with a few extra kennel runs, who the town pays to house the strays. In more populated areas where actual dedicated buildings exists, the shelters are funded by any combination of tax dollars, donations, adoptions fees and dog license fees. (It is interesting to note that the shelters house dogs and cats, but since hardly anyone licenses cats, the dog license fees pay the bills for both dogs and cats.)

These shelters are named anything from the "SPCA of Whatever County" to the "Humane Society of Whatever Township", but are not affiliated with either national group, the ASPCA or HSUS. Within a county or state, the shelters may meet for educational purposes or to share information but not as a member of a national fund raising group that operates and fund shelters.

So what does the ASPCA, HSUS, and AHA do with all of their money if it is not going to your local shelter? Each has their own agenda. They all advertise, use money to raise money, and draft and lobby for legislation. Some may agree with none, all, or some of what they support. The AHA has the contract to oversee and ensure the safety all animals used while filming a movie. They have done so for years
and have done an admirable job. However, they are also opposed to hunting. So are the ASPCA and, obviously, HSUS. Do they help protect animals? Yes, they do. But does their agenda agree with your individual ideas and philosophy? Hang on, you better check. Check a lot. Go to their websites. Call them. Dig deeper into their agendas. See what legislation and advertising campaigns they are spending donated money on.

HSUS for example, in addition to the troubled PAWS legislation, is also spending donations on a new campaign to prevent America's youth from hunting before they are 18 years old. (For those familiar with the PAWS bill, this is typical HSUS – set limits first then adjust them to extinction!) These campaigns and laws are often being funded by well intended people who think they are giving to their local shelter! But you now know that is not true.
With Hurricane Katrina, watch the big PR money being spent by some of these groups, and other dog organizations, as they exploit the hurricane victims by trying to raise money that goes who knows where. Is that money all going to relief? Let's hope so. We have heard that good money is starting to get spent in the hurricane ravaged areas. Or is some going to fund anti-hunting and anti- breeding legislation? It almost seems as though where some see despair and horror, others see a PR opportunity, so who knows?

The bottom line is that there are thousands of shelters in America, all of which are individually operated and funded locally. They always need resources and support. Then, there are large groups who raise money by using the goodwill of words like "humane" and "cruelty" in their national name. To add another layer of concern, while your local independent shelter is not run by HSUS, AHA, or the ASPCA (unless you are in New York City), you really have no idea what the mission of your local shelter is. Your job is to ask.

There are many, many excellent and worthy local shelters that need your donations and will use them directly to help dogs. But before you open your wallet, ask what will be done with your money.


Consider donating food and supplies which can't be as easily used to pay government lobbyists. Ask what they believe in. Then ask yourself what you believe in and where you draw the line. We should and we must help those less fortunate. We must not forget the people and the dogs who need help from the hurricane. We must do so from our hearts, though, and not to take credit or exploit the situation. And we must make sure our efforts are in line with our private individual beliefs.
From the Dog Press

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Difference between animal rights and animal welfare.

COMMITTEE AGAINST ANIMAL RIGHTS EXTREMISM Many commonsense, compassionate people who love their animals do not understand the true nature of the animal rights movement. They care about their animals and want to insure they are treated humanely. Because they have been misled into believing that the movement is about something else (helping animals), they "think" they are for animal rights. What they actually believe in is animal welfare, from a responsible animal ownership perspective. They own and love animals and care for them and do not want to see any animal abused.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



interaction at all between animals and human beings.
Animal Rights Vs. Animal Welfare

Animal WELFARE is about humane treatment of animals; in fact, animal welfare is essentially synonymous with the original humane movement begun in England in the l840's.

Animal RIGHTS is claiming animals have legal rights, as people do, and the most basic animal right is the right not to be owned or used for any purpose at all by human beings.

Animal WELFARE supporters aim for a balance between owning and using animals as humanely as possible and allowing owners and breeders their rights to own, use, and breed animals.

Animal RIGHTS supporters aim to end all ownership, use, and breeding of all animals. They envision a world in which no animals are left anywhere, because, allegedly, man has so mis-treated animals, man no longer deserves to have animals. If it is not possible to end the existence of all animals by sterilization, then at least, all animals should be set free to make their way in the wilderness. Anything less than that is slavery.

Animal RIGHTS people do NOT believe in animal welfare. On the contrary, they are not interested in so-called humane treatment of animals, because they believe there should be no interaction at all between animals and human beings.

Roberta Pliner
Permission to cross-post or quote anywhere, but give authorship credit and pet-law list credit.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Red Cross CPR Class for Pets.

I found this article and thought it very informative.

Little-known Red Cross class teaches first aid, CPR for pets
By Sophia Maines

Monday, May 29, 2006

There may come a day when Fido needs more than a belly rub.

And because emergencies happen, the Douglas County Chapter of the American Red Cross offers a little-known course on Pet First Aid and CPR.

“A lot of people don’t realize you can give CPR to an animal,” said Wendy Leedy, the course’s instructor.

Though some might not think of it, being a pet owner can require bandaging a wound, addressing a snake bite or even performing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

“If you treat your animals like they’re a part of the family, then it’s important to know what to do to save their life,” said Midge Grinstead, executive director of the Lawrence Humane Society.

A small but dedicated group of dog owners and pet professionals is taking part in Red Cross classes, Leedy said.

Fewer than 10 participated in the April session. The course runs about four hours and costs $25. The next class is set for 5:30 p.m. June 26.

The chapter is one of the few in the region to offer the courses, Leedy said.

“We saw it as a unique opportunity to provide a service that is not currently being provided,” she said.

Leedy said she knows some might chuckle at the course that has students practicing CPR on a stuffed dog and cat — specialized with a tube connected to their snout or nose for practice rescue breathing.

Those who take the course, Leedy said, are “die-hard” pet lovers. The classes are popular with private pet owners as well as people who work with animals.

It offers basic pet First Aid, plus training in how to deal with poisoning, insect and animal bites, bone and joint injury, burns, shock, heat stroke and frost bite. Students also learn rescue breathing and dealing with a pet that’s choking.

“The biggest thing people walk away with is a sense of being prepared to respond to an emergency,” Leedy said.

More than a dozen Humane Society employees recently took the course.

“We all know what we’re doing with animals,” said Grinstead. “I just wanted to make sure they knew where to do the compressions and how to breathe in the snout.”

The chances of reviving a dog using CPR alone aren’t great, said Norma Gottstein, a veterinarian at Gentle Care Animal Hospital. But the sooner you start helping an animal, she said, the better its chances.

Cedric Devin, owner of Christal K-9 Inc., a pet grooming business, said he’s taken the training and used it to help a dog who had a door shut on its tail.

“I’ve had real-world experience where that class paid off for me,” he said.

But he wonders whether all pet owners should attempt major maneuvers on their own.

“If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could end up doing more damage,” he said. “The tough question to answer is: where’s that fine line between what a vet should do and what a pet owner should do? Where do we look for someonemore knowledgeable?”

Leedy said she tells her pet CPR students the same she tells those students learning CPR for humans: you shouldn’t exceed the scope of your training.

Grinstead said she’s performed CPR on pets six times over the last decade and saved four of the animals.

Though similar in some ways, CPR on pets is different from CPR on humans.

“With people, I think it’s easier,” Grinstead said. “You can pinch their nose. You know how the body works better than you do with a dog.”

And with pets, there can be fears about germs or getting bitten.

“For a lot of people, it’s a hard decision right away to know what to do,” she said.

Denise Van Sickel of Lawrence Pet Friends, a pet-sitting service, has had to rescue a dog.

“My own dog choked on a piece of rawhide,” she said.

Van Sickel used the Heimlich maneuver on her dog. The emergency was akin to an incident involving a person, she said.

“It’s just as scary,” she said. “Your adrenaline gets going. You go into panic mode.”

Van Sickel said she’s not sure whether her dog could have coughed up the rawhide on her own.

“I like to think I made a difference,” she said.