Recent skirmishes in the multi-generational feuding between Felidae (aka cats) and Cucurbitaceae (aka melons).
Monthly Archive for June, 2008Page 2 of 4
Wow! Brad Stone created an extra special home for his adopted kitties and he documented it on his blog. Check it out—he gives some good tips on what he did.
First he created catwalks in his house to give the furred ones perches to prowl. Check out the fun video of a kitten exploring the catwalk.
Then he chiseled a hole in the outer wall of his house so his cats could use the catrun he built. Don’t miss this video of the cats checking it out for the first time.
But, Brad still wasn’t satisfied, so he built a 15ft x 24ft cat enclosure with a fenced walkway connecting it to the first catrun. Kitty heaven!
This Friday June 20th is Take Your Dog To Work Day. I’m thinking, unless you already take your dog to work at least sometimes or you have the most laid back dog and you know the other dogs at your workplace will be laid back too, this may not be the best day to take your dog to work for the first time.
But, that’s not to say you can’t bring attention to the value of dogs in the workplace or focus on the TYDTWD mission of spotlighting the benefits of adopting your dog from an animal rescue organization. In fact, participating workplaces are asked to partner with animal shelters to help increase adoptions of shelter dogs.
Some tips on a successful Take Your Dog To Work Day:
- bring a familiar blanket or bed
- keep you dog confined to your workspace
- identify an appropriate potty place outside & bring poop bags
- bring a puzzle toy like a Twist ‘n Treat or Tricky Treat Ball
- make sure your dog is clean and flea free
- provide water
- avoid any situations where resource guarding may occur
- don’t leave your dog unattended
- keep your dog leashed outside and in common areas
- be considerate of co-workers
- have a back-up plan if your dog isn’t happy and needs to go home early
I have fallen in love with the itty bitty kitty committee. First—the name is perfection. Second—it has consistently outstanding kitten photos, not schmaltzy and you can just about hear them purring and feel their warm kitten tummies. Third—it’s excellent blogging about the joys and sometimes sorrows of fostering kittens. And, it turns out, Laurie has a shop, lalalaurie, on etsy.com and you know how I love etsy. There’s even a post about crafting with kittens.
The IBKC takes in kittens and their mom, if they’re together, for the Tacoma/Pierce County Humane Society to raise, socialize, and love until they’re ready for adoption. Very cool! Check with your local shelter if you’re interested in fostering kittens. As the summer progresses, shelters will be overflowing with kittens. It takes commitment, but it’s a wonderful thing.
Charlene Butterbean is the resident cat and supreme Big Sister who loves the kittens and seems to take her roll quite seriously, well, maybe not always that seriously.
Images used with permission of the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee.
Lance Corporal David Motari, the Marine videotaped throwing a puppy into a rocky ravine, is being “separated” from the Marines and others involved in the incident are being disciplined. I suppose it’s at least some kind of justice. But, this isn’t the only video of servicemen abusing animals and clearly more needs to be done.
The Humane Society of the US has identified three areas where the Department of Defense needs to improve or change its policy concerning animals.
- American Servicemen are prohibited from adopting stray animals they befriend in Iraq.
- Pet and stray dogs are being killed in an attempt to prevent rabies although research finds that these culls are both ineffective and inhumane.
- There is no prohibition or punishment for cruelty towards animals in the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
You can help by contacting the Dept. of Defense and the various branches of the military and urging them to make a change.
