Bring it up again

From the people at PETA, a practical, yet stylist way to avoid, well, cat urpings.

It's a sign in both English and Spanish that alerts you to a hazardous situation — until you've had the time to clean it up.

Truly a Christmas gift for the person who has everything.

Ready for adoption

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week — a day early. Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Mr. Sir — Domestic shorthair
"It's all in the cattitude. Year and a half old all-black shorthair male demands it's all about ME! Pet ME, play with ME, love ME. Multi-toed and multi-talented, this handsome short hair has an air of distinction that makes him seem entitled. Who are we to argue?"

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722). Browse our adoptable animals today!

Shelter pets rule.

Take your medicine

And we do realize that this is a joke, right?

Third time might not be the charm

Baby is a lucky cat who needs a new owner.

She survived two — count 'em, two — falls out a third-story window. The critter has been dubbed the "bionic cat" by its vets because its legs have been rebuilt with pins.

Her owner, Sue (no last name given), has finally decided that some sort of window treatment should be installed before it happens again.

"She never goes out, except for when she fell off the window. She is always on the window."

Well, duh.

Open window + cat = tragedy waiting to happen.

Do you have any children, Sue?

'Tis the season

Does your pet get everything it wants for Christmas?

Perhaps you need to go directly to the man.

A mall in Zanesville, Ohio, had its annual Pets Photos with Santa the other day and the Journal's sister paper, the Zanesville Times Recorder did a story on it.

So, do you put up a stocking for your pet? Do you give your pet wrapped gifts?

Let me know.

Photo by Trevor Jones/Times Recorder

Happy Thanksgiving

Here's a little treat from the Washington Post and its "On Being" video series.

Enjoy the holiday.

Ready for adoption — one day early

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week — a day early. Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Jo Jo — Golden retriever/Aussie
"When your normal cup of Joe isn't enough, how about a double with a twist? This male golden retriever/Aussie mix has all the caffeine energy of an espresso, cappuccino and an iced coffee, combined with a great personality. Think Disney's Goofy with a graduate degree."

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722).

Shelter pets rule.

Traveling with Fido or Fluffy?

New Dutchess County reporter Jenny Lee has an article in today's Poughkeepsie Journal on traveling during the Thanksgiving weekend.

Along with it are tips for traveling with your pets.

The information, from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, includes such suggestions as keeping your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier, never leaving your animal alone in a parked vehicle and making sure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag imprinted with your home address, as well as a temporary travel tag with your cell phone, destination phone number and any other relevant contact information.

There is one hint that is a "pet" peeve of mine. Please don't let your pet ride with its head outside the window. This, according to the ASPCA, can subject it to inner ear damage and lung infections. And it could be injured by flying objects.

That said, have a great holiday.

Where does Goliath sleep?

Anywhere he wants to!

This is a big kittie.

Take a look.

A reader e-mail

Daniel from Kingston, N.Y., wrote me an e-mail in response to the recent blog about the Dutchess County SPCA rescues.

As the owner of a rescued pitbull (Comet) I often find myself reading through blogs and rescue sites just to find stories of cruelty. I don't enjoy the sickened anger I feel when I read them, but I feel that it is my duty to keep myself aware of what animals go through at the hands of ignorant and cruel people.

My little girl wasn't abused, but she was neglected and allowed to fall at least 15 lbs underweight. A pitbull rescue based in Carmel heard of her and set her free. She got lucky, and now she has it really, really good. I wouldn't have it any other way!

My pitbull prefers to sleep under my blankets with me on these chilly nights! Like any dog, she loves to eat peanut butter off my finger. How's that for vicious?!?

Here's a picture of Comet (click on her to embiggen).


Thanks, Daniel. Comet is obviously in very good hands.

Carry on, all you hunters

It's deer hunting season here in New York.

And for the first time in I don't know how long — now that I live in the City of Poughkeepsie — I can go outside with Kate for her necessities, and she doesn't immediately turn tail and run back inside when there is the sound of a shotgun.

Heck, it's a relief for me too, not having to wear orange. A totally unflattering color.

Quick story.

A friend of mine was weekending up in Shekomeko and was a jogger. She asked a couple of locals if she would be OK running during hunting season while wearing an electric lime green top.

Absolutely not, the locals said. You must wear hunter's orange.

The electric lime green top was color that, under no circumstances, did not exist in nature.

The concept that a hunter would not recognize that fact and blast away was hilarious to me.

My friend, however, chose to wear orange.

DCSPCA handles cruelty cases

Over the last week or so, the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Hyde Park, N.Y., saved the lives of several animals.

DCSPCA Humane Law Enforcement Officers Jami Landry and Stephanie Fitzpatrick rescued six cats from a storage unit in the Town of Dover Nov. 7. The cats had allegedly been in the space for three days without food or water.

The owner of a neighboring unit notified the agency about the animals. The owner of the storage unit where the cats were found was charged with 18 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.

Below are two of the rescued kittens. All the cats will be available for adoption once their medical care has been completed.


On Nov. 9, Landry and Fitzpatrick responded to a report of a dead dog tied to a stake in a City of Poughkeepsie yard. There were heavy chains attached to the dog's collar. The dog likely died of starvation and exposure to extreme weather conditions.

The officers removed two emaciated pitbulls from the premises. They allegedly had multiple injuries and open wounds. The owner of the dogs was arrested and charged with four misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.

The dogs will remain at the shelter while they recover from their injuries.

Below is Animal Services Staff Member Manny Gronenthal, comforting one of the rescued dogs.

Ready for adoption

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week. Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Josh — Tuxedo cat
"If you are going to be a stray, why not pick a mansion to be your turf? This young adult male tuxedo was found wandering the grounds of Vanderbilt Mansion, and while his current digs are not as deluxe, he knows it won't be too long before he is king of someone else's castle."

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722).

Shelter pets rule.

Cat vs. toilet paper

Maybe a scratching post would be appropriate for this cat.

Take a look here.

The party's over

The indignity I suffer.

I give and give and what do I get in return?

Barely a thought. Not even a consideration.

What is all this about, you ask?

I had an early — for me, at least — press conference to attend this morning across the county in Dover Plains. I managed to get back to Poughkeepsie around 12:30 p.m., just the right time to walk Kate again.

I returned home on the early side — about 5 p.m. — because I had an evening meeting to attend. And then, after the meeting was over, I returned home shortly before 9 p.m.

What ties all this coming and going together? What is the connection?

Each time I entered my condo, Kate never bothered to get off the couch.

Sigh.

I guess after 12 years she is taking me even more for granted than she usually does.

You're in good paws ...

Now here's a good idea.

The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies has added pet injury coverage to policies with collision coverage — at no additional cost.

It will pay up to $500 if a customer's dog or cat is hurt or dies in a car accident.

While it is not yet available in North Carolina, Virginia, New Hampshire — and New York! — the pet injury insurance is available in the other 46 states and the District of Columbia.

Is Timmy down the well?

Anybody care to count how many times the dog barks during this video?

I sure wouldn't want to be their neighbors.

Cute couple

Here's a boxer and a cat that get along famously.

Cat doles it out and boxer takes it on the chin.

See the video here.

Ready for adoption

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week. Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Shadow — Lab mix
"This young lab mix just loves to ham it up for the camera (in typical lab fashion!). He'll ham it up for you, too, if you stop by for a visit. Hurry though, this guy won't stick around for long."

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722).

Shelter pets rule.

Good morning!

Does your cat wake you up — like this?

Truth hurts

I just found out that I need to go away during an upcoming weekend. Travel always presents a problem, because Kate can't go with me.

I have to find a kennel or someone who will take care of her. Such is my lot in life.

On a recent vacation, a friend who shall remain nameless, was gracious enough to stay at my place while I was gone and take care of the pooch. Upon my return, both Kate and my friend seemed none the worse for wear. That was great.

So, when faced with the prospect of taking another brief jaunt away from the homestead and man's best friend, I turned once again to my nameless friend.

The weekend is somewhat problematic because it involves a major holiday, but my friend said that there would be nothing that would prevent her from keeping Kate fed and walked.

I agreed, saying that should my friend need to, shall we way, stretch the schedule to allow for more time to revel in the holiday, that Kate would manage quite well, thank you.

Kate is, shall we say, low maintenance.

My anonymous pal concurred, saying, "With Kate, it's like taking care of a plant."

Well.

Needless to say, when I told Kate about the conversation, she stared blankly at me.


I could tell the characterization cut her to the quick.

Does a plant come to the door to greet you after a long day's toiling?

No.

OK, and sometimes neither does Kate.

Does a plant crawl up on the bed and keep you warm at night?

No.

Well, lately Kate's been jumping off the bed in the middle of the night and going to sleep on her pallet. I just assumed I've been taking up too much room.

Does a plant sit directly in front of the television and stare at you?

No.

Obviously I've been ignoring Kate.

The comparison of my beloved doggie to a plant is vile and undeserved.

Nameless friend, you'll get no T-shirt from the big city of Cleveland.

But please remember to give her 1 cup of dry food with a little moist food twice a day and don't forget the two pills every morning. They are chewable.

In Texas, it would be 'a dog thang'

While I'm not a fan of Pedigree dog food — and neither is Kate — this commercial says it all.

A stupid pet trick

Last night on Late Show with David Lettermen, there was a dog who barked when someone gave it the one-finger salute, a cockatoo who danced to the Backstreet Boys (who doesn't?) and a pit bull named Pacy who played the drums.

Here's a link to the Late Show video site where you can see the Buddy Rich of the canine world.

Ready for adoption

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week. Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Neeto — Tuxedo
"Dressed for success, but too shy to leave the house, this 2-year-old male Tux is hoping the society life comes to him. If your house is set for partying, or even just playing, let Neeto in the door — he'll add so much more."

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722).

Shelter pets rule.