So here's a video.
This kitten.
Oh. my. god.
Way cute.
Few words.
(Turn up the sound so you can hear the purring.)
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
More mock disaster
Along with the mock animal rescue drill Monday, the American Humane Association brought their 82-foot rescue rig to the Dutchess County Farm and Home Center in the Town of Washington.
See my story in today's Poughkeepsie Journal and Karl Rabe's pictures here.
Todd Simons, promotion manager for Animal Emergency Services of the American Humane Association, gave me a tour of the tractor-trailer. In addition to the surgical theater (above) and the command center (below), complete with satellite uplink and downlink which provides Internet service, the rig can sleep up to 12 volunteers, stores two large free-standing tents for extra room or animal sheltering and has a 100-gallon water tank, one 14-foot johnboat, two inflatable boats and three outboard motors and a sling for lifting horses via helicopter.
For the mock disaster drill, volunteers surveyed the area in which they would be setting up the temporary shelter (below).
The drill was interesting. The assumption was that a flood had forced people — and their animals — from their homes.
The 31 participants were split up into five different groups, each having a particular function during exercise. There were four stations set up at the temporary shelter, which according to the scenario was located 2 miles from the shelter for humans. There was a station for taking animals into the shelter, one for distributing supplies, another for signing up and working with walk-in volunteers and one for actually sheltering the animals.
The fifth group was the public, an anguished, panicked group of people crazy with worry about their pets.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Cats turn up after building collapse
There is some good news from the horrific crane collapse in March in New York City.
While six people perished when an east-side townhouse was demolished by the construction crane, two cats somehow survived.
Here's the story from the Associated Press.
Both cats are owned by the people who lived in the top floor of the building.
Amazing.
While six people perished when an east-side townhouse was demolished by the construction crane, two cats somehow survived.
Here's the story from the Associated Press.
Both cats are owned by the people who lived in the top floor of the building.
Amazing.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Somewhat lazy Saturday
Some technical problems prevented my friend Bill and me from working on his documentary about the making of the movie "A Christmas Story" this morning, so I actually was able to get some grocery and other kinds of shopping done.
I came home a few minutes ago and decided it was the perfect sunny spring day to clean off the patio furniture (thanks again, Sandy!) and have a cup of tea outside while Kate snoozed.
A click of the cell phone, plus a wireless laptop, and viola (as we say in Texas), you can see Kate in all her glory.
I might just be spending more time on the patio than she will over the next few months.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Fewer hot dogs in Fort Worth
Dogs in Fort Worth, Texas, are a little safer now that the city council strengthened its animal and fowl ordinance.
The council now allows animal control officers to break into vehicles to rescue an animal whose health they believe is in danger.
People who leave unattended pets in vehicles may be fined up to $2,000. They will also have to pay for repairs for the window if animal control officers must break it. And the officers don't need a warrant before they break the window.
Here's the article from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
I've lived in Texas and I know what the inside of a car feels like there after it's been sitting out in the sun. I simply can't imagine what goes through a dog-owner's mind that they can rationalize leaving their dog in a vehicle for any length of time.
But I've seen people up here in the more temperate northeast leave dogs in cars while they run in to a store.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said that even on a 70-degree day the temperature inside a car can be about 20 degrees higher than it is outside.
Don't take your dog shopping if you can't take the pooch in the store with you.
As an experiment on the next sunny day, put on your heavy winter coat, get in your car, roll up all the windows and see what it feels like.
The council now allows animal control officers to break into vehicles to rescue an animal whose health they believe is in danger.
People who leave unattended pets in vehicles may be fined up to $2,000. They will also have to pay for repairs for the window if animal control officers must break it. And the officers don't need a warrant before they break the window.
Here's the article from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
I've lived in Texas and I know what the inside of a car feels like there after it's been sitting out in the sun. I simply can't imagine what goes through a dog-owner's mind that they can rationalize leaving their dog in a vehicle for any length of time.
But I've seen people up here in the more temperate northeast leave dogs in cars while they run in to a store.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said that even on a 70-degree day the temperature inside a car can be about 20 degrees higher than it is outside.
Don't take your dog shopping if you can't take the pooch in the store with you.
As an experiment on the next sunny day, put on your heavy winter coat, get in your car, roll up all the windows and see what it feels like.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Ready for adoption — video edition
Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week — Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?
This week's featured pet:
Beavis — Domestic shorthair
"We'll skip the humorous TV reference because this brown male tiger has a serious need. Beavis is diabetic and we need to find a special person who is willing to maintain his health with diet, medicine and maintenance. As in humans, diabetes is manageable, and we expect he will thrive in a home that can provide a steady routine. His once-a-day injection is a breeze as he loves to be held. We'll help with the diabetes supplies."
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.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Name that tune
"Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak." — William Congreve
Does your dog have a "savage breast" and does it need soothing?
The book Through a Dog's Ear claims that you can improve the health and well-being of your dog with music.
Primarily classical music.
I like classical music. I grew up playing the cello. But maybe my dog or your dog wants a little something else to listen to.
Like "Crazy" by Patsy Cline. Or "Zydeco sont pas sale" by Clifton Chenier.
Or "Home" by Blake Shelton. Or "Heaven" by Los Lonely Boys.
What if Kate wants to listen to talk radio?
If you could make a mix tape for your pet, what would be on it?
Does your dog have a "savage breast" and does it need soothing?
The book Through a Dog's Ear claims that you can improve the health and well-being of your dog with music.
Primarily classical music.
I like classical music. I grew up playing the cello. But maybe my dog or your dog wants a little something else to listen to.
Like "Crazy" by Patsy Cline. Or "Zydeco sont pas sale" by Clifton Chenier.
Or "Home" by Blake Shelton. Or "Heaven" by Los Lonely Boys.
What if Kate wants to listen to talk radio?
If you could make a mix tape for your pet, what would be on it?
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
First thunderstorm of the spring
I got home from a meeting in East Fishkill just in the nick of time. I could see the lightning in the distance as I was driving toward Poughkeepsie.
All I was thinking was, Boy, I bet Kate is going crazy.
Well, no sooner did I get home and get inside, but the clouds opened and the rain and winds started.
Heavy rain.
Big winds.
Lots of thunder.
Kate wasn't too bad at first, but as the storm continued — and it's still going on — she got worse. Panting, pacing and staying right by my side. She even followed me down to the basement to check and see if there was any water coming in.
She never follows me down to the basement.
I don't try to console her. Everything I've read and been told says that makes it worse for her. So I just talk to her as if nothing were unusual.
March may have come in like a lion and gone out like a lamb, but April came in with a bang.
Poor Kate.
All I was thinking was, Boy, I bet Kate is going crazy.
Well, no sooner did I get home and get inside, but the clouds opened and the rain and winds started.
Heavy rain.
Big winds.
Lots of thunder.
Kate wasn't too bad at first, but as the storm continued — and it's still going on — she got worse. Panting, pacing and staying right by my side. She even followed me down to the basement to check and see if there was any water coming in.
She never follows me down to the basement.
I don't try to console her. Everything I've read and been told says that makes it worse for her. So I just talk to her as if nothing were unusual.
March may have come in like a lion and gone out like a lamb, but April came in with a bang.
Poor Kate.
Beware the cat (a video)
Grab the popcorn, turn the volume up high and enjoy this video called "When Cats Attack."
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