Michael Vick and the Ed Block Courage award

You probably all know that the Philadelphia Eagles recently voted Michael Vick as their preferred recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. What a travesty! The Ed Block Foundation is dedicated to promoting awareness and assisting in the prevention of child abuse.  That objective is combined with the Foundation's commitment to celebrating players of inspiration in the NFL.  Each year, every NFL team votes for one of its players to receive the Ed Block Courage Award.  It is considered to be one of the most prestigious awards in the NFL, and heralds the winner as an example of inspiration, spirit, and bravery.

WHAT where the Eagles thinking, nominating Michael VICK, the man who epitomizes the exact opposite of what the award should represent?!

Child abuse and animal abuse are perpetrated by the same time types of people (often the same people, as we all know that domestic violence and animal abuse go hand in hand, just as much as animal abuse often presages violence against humans): cowardly and craven bullies taking advantage of an innocent, dependent being. There is no-one LESS courageous than someone who abuses either children or animals.

Vick is NOT a courageous man – he is a cowardly creature who tortured and abused animals for pleasure and the approval of his equally degenerate peers. There's nothing courageous about bowing to peer pressure; there’s nothing courageous about abusing animals. And where's the courage when Vick, offered the opportunity to look the surviving dogs in the eyes, refused to step up even for that?? This is no hero, there is no courage. That man is the ultimate coward, through and through.

Please sign a petition against Vick’s nomination – it’s a travesty and makes a mockery of all the truly brave NFL players who deserve to be nominated, not to mention the real heroes – people who put their safety and peace of mind on the line every day to prevent animal abuse and those who rescue the victims. Sign to stop this prestigious award from being tarnished by association with the likes of Michael Vick - http://bit.ly/7pLfb6.

Even temporary holding conditions should be humane

In an update on the recent shocking case involving the seizure of over 20,000 exotic animals in Arlington, Tx it has been clearly established that the inhumane conditions in which the animals were being held lead to the deaths of over 1,600 and health conditions ranging from parasite infestations to starvation.

Besides the fact that these animals were torn from their native environments and callously traded for their exotic appeal at risk to their wellbeing (and in some cases, the wellbeing of the environments into which they were being introduced), even the most basic fundamentals of animal transportation were not being observed.

Whether transporting a pet, livestock or exotic animal, it is critical to ensure adequate food, water and bedding when transporting or holding animals, and to have sufficiently trained personnel on hand to monitor the animals’ wellbeing at all times.

Let’s hope that this company is summarily put out of business – their holding facility is such a health hazard, health specialists are recommending its demolition – an organization like should not be allowed to continue their cruelty and exploitation. Say what you will about PETA, who sponsored the undercover investigation, their goal to end the commercial sale of exotic animals around the world can only be a good thing.

Dallas Area Pet Stores Take ‘Puppy Friendly’ Pledge

Local animal lovers have been working with Dallas area pet stores to sign The Humane Society of the United States' puppy friendly pet store pledge — committing not to sell puppies, but instead support local animal adoption programs and provide literature that helps customers learn about reputable breeders.

These businesses are proof that selling puppy mill pets is not the way to a successful pet-related business, and their participation in the program will hopefully boost shelter adoptions as well.

Please show your support for these more humane businesses by boycotting stores that sell live puppies and kittens and shopping with one of these instead:

The independent retailers in the Dallas area that have recently signed the puppy friendly pledge to not sell puppies are:

• Big Paw Designs (online only)
• Canine Commissary (Dallas)
• City Pet Supply (North Dallas)
• City Pet Supply Oak Lawn (Dallas)
• City Vet Center Uptown (Dallas)
• Doggy Tug (Dallas)
• Downtown Dog (Dallas)
• Green Pet (Dallas)
• Lucca Bella Doggie Spa & Boutique (Dallas)
• Lucky Dog Barkery (Dallas)
• Perky Poodle (Dallas)
• Pet Supplies "Plus" (Dallas)
• The Dog Lofts Oak Lawn (Dallas)
• The Dog Lofts Uptown (Dallas)
• The Petropolitan (Dallas)
• The Pooch Patio (Dallas)
• Urban Paws (Dallas)
• City Vet Center (Flower Mound)
• Glamour Paws (Fort Worth)
• Every Dog's Day Canine Resort and Day Spa (Frisco)
• Prestige Pet Products (Grand Prairie)
• Pete & Mac's Pet Resort (Irving)
• Foxy Paws Dog Boutique (Plano)
• Pet Supplies "Plus" (Plano)
• Pete & Mac's Pet Resort (Plano)
• Woof… Cool Stuff Fur Dogs (Plano)
• Three Dog Bakery (Southlake)

THANKS, animal advocates and HSUS for this program that will help consumers make better decisions!

More information and action for you (links below):

• See more information about the “Puppy Friendly” program here.
• You can help get pet stores to sign the “Puppy Friendly” pledge!
• Find out what else you can do to fight puppy mills here.

Exotic animals seized in Arlington

I am not a pet!

Photo: Nigel Treblin / AFP/Getty Images

The largest animal seizure of its kind in the country took place in this week in Arlington, TX when as many as 20,000 critters were targeted for seizure from an exotic pet distributor Tuesday morning. Many of them were in appalling condition, starving or suffering from being kept in inappropriate conditions for their species; a large number were already dead when authorities made the raid.

The fact that the distributor ran a multi million dollar business trading in exotic animals for over a decade hints at the demand for such unusual “pets” in this country, and poses some unique challenges for animal welfare groups (and communities at large) when people cannot adequately care for their exotic charge. Some are simply released – into non-native habitats where they die because of conditions they are not meant to live in; or where they thrive and decimate native fauna and flora – sometimes to a dangerous degree (think of some of the African and Burmese pythons now cross-breeding with local snakes in the swamps of Florida). Some attack their owners or other people, while some simply die from neglect and ignorance of their unique environmental, dietary and social requirements. And some, usually involuntarily, are surrendered to animal welfare agencies who themselves are ill-equipped to assist in the care and re-homing of highly specialized animal species.

It’s bad enough that we have an overpopulation of everyday companion animals like dogs, cats and rabbits – but the additional burden placed on rescue and welfare groups when exotics are added to the mix pushes the system well beyond its already-strained limits.

Wild animals are not pets, people! It is irresponsible and inhumane to be capturing, transporting and trading exotic, non-native wildlife to be kept as pets or status symbols.

What you can do about this issue:

• Never buy or promote the ownership of exotic or wild animals as pets.
• Please support the awesome groups who have been pulled into this latest seizure: SPCA of Texas, Arlington Animal Services, and Humane Society of North Texas
• Get educated about the issue of exotic wildlife as pets by checking out the HSUS page - http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/exotic_pets/ 
• And let your elected officials know you support legislation such as the Large Constrictor Snake Trade Ban (recently approved by a Senate panel, now under consideration by the Senate). How to you do that? Check out the HSUS page http://www.humanesociety.org/action/now/ or the ASPCA page http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/lobby-for-animals/.

Our motto “No More Disposable Pets” means exactly that – no more disposable pets of ANY kind!!

Fun holiday gifts for pet lovers – for a good cause!

Looking for Holiday gifts for pet lovers?

Contemporary Cats has an awesome selection of accessories, bags and wallets, notecards and more – and they donate a portion of all sales to Companions For Life to help our humane education efforts!

Extra! Extra!

If you have other organizations you might want to support, check out Rebecca Poling’s latest article on great gifts for pet lovers that also benefit local shelters and rescue groups – from divine doggie treats at Sublime Bakery to Mousepads, Snowglobes and pet beds, your holiday shopping can mean more than just awesome gifts! Groups that benefit include Animal Rescue of Texas, Cat Matchers, Dog and Kitty City, SPCA of Texas, Homeward Bound Rescue and more. These are gifts that keep on giving!

Do you know someone who wants a new pet for Christmas?

Pets are like perfume, there’s a lot of chemistry involved in getting a perfect match, and many well-meaning gifts of pooches or kitties end up in shelters as a result of a poor match or because the time isn’t quite right. Instead of giving a pet, why not give a pet gift certificate instead? Many shelters offer gift certificates that can be used to cover adoption fees so that people can take their time and find exactly the right pet to love forever.

And… if you want something fun to wrap for under the tree, why not get a pet gift certificate from your local shelter or humane society, and pop it in a nifty little pet carrier like this one (from Contemporary Cats) – now they have something to carry their new friend home in!

Virtual Virtues!

Finally, if you’d like to directly help an animal, you can also make a donation on a person’s behalf – or sponsor an animal either in a shelter or at a zoo or sanctuary. This is a great way to help teach kids about conservation or animal welfare – many programs exist that provide an “adoption” certificate and information about the animal being sponsored, and sometimes also little plush toys that children can enjoy while learning about different animals.

Do you have any other suggestions for fun gifts that support a good cause or help teach humane values? Share them with us and inspire someone to make a difference - what better way to bring real cheer to the holiday season than with wonderful gifts that also help deserving causes – happy shopping!

How can shelters increase adoptions?

Dog training!  A recent article on the ZoomRoom website highlights new research confirming that even moderately trained dogs are more likely to be adopted from animal shelters. In the study, trained dogs were adopted about 1.5 times as frequently as dogs without basic training, corroborating the observations of the article’s author, that dogs in shelters “who exhibit friendly ‘pet-like’ behavior are the quickest to be adopted”.

Lola McKnight Co-founder of Shelter Animal Advocacy Fund, LA and Dog Trainer & Behavior Specialist completely agrees: “At the West LA city shelter we have an on going training program made up of volunteers and dog trainers. We work with as many of the dogs as possible teaching them basic obedience. Every time we show a dog who knows "sit" or walks well on leash, people are much more interested in adopting them. In addition, our dogs who participate in the K9 Connection program (at risk kids training shelter dogs) are also much more likely to be adopted.”

Prioritizing basic training for dogs at shelters is good on a number of levels: it keeps the dogs socialized and teaches them manners which, as we’ve seen above, makes them more desirable – but it also keeps them engaged and stimulated, helping prevent depression or other kennel-induced behavior problems that make it harder for a dog to find a home. And of course, for shelters that euthanize, adopting more dogs (faster) can mean fewer animals sent to the kill room.

How can you help? Well, the more volunteers a shelter has, the better its chances of being able to spare some resources to train the dogs – so do what you can! Walk dogs, train them, or just take on some shelter duties to free staff up to make this critical commitment. Fostering also helps – foster parents train and socialize dogs while caring for them in a home environment, helping to make sure they’re at their most adoptable.

So reach out to your local shelter now, to see what you can do to help them adopt out more dogs – helping a dog learn “sit” could save its life!

Children’s books you can use to teach compassion

In a world where violence and gore no longer elicit shock, it’s little wonder that some children are growing up thinking that it’s OK to abuse others, whether animal or human. But it’s not OK – and it’s the responsibility of parents, teachers and influential adults to help children learn and understand the concepts of compassion, empathy and humanity, starting as young as possible.

Stories are powerful tools in our humane education toolkit – reading to and/or with a child not only encourages literacy but helps to stimulate their natural curiosity, and introduces concepts of humane living in age-appropriate context.

The Institute of Humane Education has a new Children’s Literature section on their website, where they list some fantastic book suggestions for children of all ages. Options include fiction and non-fiction, picture books and chapter books – why not start by checking out the books listed under the “animal protection” category? There are some great Thanksgiving titles, or you could help a kid learn about adopting a dog, or why it’s not a good thing for cats to keep having kittens.

Come to think of it, some of these books might be useful for adults too!

 

Technorati Tags: literature,humane education,books,education,stories,library,animals,pets

Animal Rescue Volunteers – all they’re missing are capes!

Volunteers at a horse rescue – grooming, fixing fences and mending shelters – somebody’s got to do it!

Rebecca Poling’s latest Examiner article really sums up the daily heroic actions that animal rescue volunteers routinely take in stride.

Sometimes those heroic efforts are dangerous, extreme and all-out – when natural disaster strikes or yet another puppy mill is exposed and animals need to be airlifted to safety. These are the ones that make the news and thank goodness they don’t happen every day.

But more often, those heroic efforts are the daily gifts of time, attention, love and skill given by volunteers who sacrifice social lives, space in their homes and down time to keep the trains running in shelters and for animal rescue organizations nation-wide. These are the people who make sure animals are fed, cages are cleaned, prospective pets are socialized. These are the folk who put themselves out there to raise the funds that keep organizations’ doors open and animals alive. These are the ones who have to make hard decisions and take heartbreaking action every day because our society is conditioned to dispose of anything that is no longer convenient, and to blithely absolve itself of any accountability for the wellbeing of creatures in its care. These people are quiet heroes and deserve our deepest gratitude for their compassion, commitment and care. 

Everyone who takes a stand, who acts in defense of animals – however small that action – is a hero. Everyone who gives up something to make this world a better place for people and animals – no matter how small that sacrifice – is a hero. Sometimes it’s like holding back the tide, but every single person who keeps going and spreads compassion in the face of overwhelming odds every day is a hero.

The article’s last paragraph really sums it up: “Animal rescue is hard. It’s physically demanding and emotionally draining.  There is never enough money nor volunteers, and there is never enough time.  But they persevere. These are my heroes.”

Want to be a hero, too?  Volunteer, donate, foster or adopt. And if you work for a company that matches your donations or volunteer hours, take advantage of that to double your impact!

For more info:

• Volunteer match lists lots of volunteer opportunities with local rescue groups
• To donate visit JustGive and find an organization to support. 
• Want to adopt?  Check Petfinder for a list of area rescue groups and the homeless pets available now.

Using eBay for fun and (non) profit!

These darling little 18” diameter pet beds were recently posted on eBay as an eBay Giving Works charitable listing. That means that 10% of the proceeds from each sale will benefit Companions for Life.

First up, THANK YOU to spigem-1 for generously sharing the wealth (and Kudos for strategic placement of Model Chihuahua to showcase the fabulousness of your product – do the beds come ready-populated with one?!) – and thumbs up to eBay for helping people effortlessly do good while they indulge in some recreational commerce!

In fact, it’s so easy that over $126 million has found its way to charitable causes through the Giving Works program on eBay. So how can you get on the bandwagon? Well, buying something on eBay is a no-brainer with little blue-and-yellow ribbons identifying listings that support nonprofits, and it’s not just businesses who can donate a portion of their sale profits.

Anyone who posts something for sale can do it – so why not consider a charitable listing when it comes to selling that elliptical trainer that’s never been employed as anything but an expensive clothes rack or your ex boyfriend’s creepy boggle-eyed goldfish bowl. And in fact, you don’t even need to buy or sell something – if you’re still dipping your toe into the online auction space but you have a Paypal account, you can make an online cash donation of as little as $1 - or as much as your bank account can handle - to any nonprofit in the eBay Giving Works program!

Isn’t it great to do good without leaving home? Now go buy that pet bed – your pooch won’t be the only animal thanking you!

Here in this house...........

Here in this house...........
I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there'.
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness,
and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house...
There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand,
I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house...
I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be.
I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house...
I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored.
If scared, I will be calmed.
If sad, I will be cheered.
No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and thought to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.
My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house...
I will belong.
I will be home.

(anonymous)

Canines, Cats and Cabernet on Sunday, November 8

Operation Kindness is North Texas’ largest and oldest no-kill shelter and they’d like to invite you to sip on fine wines, sample delicious hors d'oeuvres and bid on more than 200 outstanding auction items while mingling with fellow animal lovers at a benefit on November 8th.

It's from 3pm to 6pm at the Marriott Legacy Town Center (don't worry, the Cowboys play at night, so you can still get home in time for the game!) - for more information and to purchase tickets, please visit their website:
http://www.operationkindness.org/events/ccc_2009/

Garland taking steps in the right direction

Garland’s Mayor has been taking some positive steps to address the situation with the city’s shelter, as Rebecca Poling outlines in her recent Examiner article, but he’s got a ways to go and he’s going to have to be a champion change agent if he’s going to overcome the obdurate resistance of his own City Council. He has the support of the public, shelter management and even the shelter employees to improve shelter practices and programs, but he faces an uphill battle and is going to need continued public support as he tries to blaze a new, progressive path for the city’s animal shelter. We urge you to keep up the pressure on the City Council until they listen to their constituents and get with the program!

A group that works to unchain dogs

When Companions for Life worked with other animal advocates in the metroplex to champion the new city ordinances adopted in Dallas last year, one of those laws specified (among other things) that a dog cannot be tethered unless it is in the immediate possession and control of its owner – or it can only be tethered for no longer than is necessary (less than 3 hours) for the owner to complete a temporary task.

If a dog has to be confined outdoors, it must be in a fenced yard or other pen or structure that:  (i) is capable of preventing the escape of the dog;  (ii) has at least 150 sq. ft. of space per adult dog; and (iii) provides the dog access to the inside of a building, a dog house or other type of shelter.

In North Carolina, a positive, upbeat group of people called Coalition to Unchain Dogs is doing awesome work proactively reaching out to dog owners in that state and helping them comply with laws like this by building fenced areas in which a dog can live unchained.

Check out this video of one of their recent projects – it’s a joy to see how happy and grateful that dog is when his heavy chain is removed and he can run free! You can see more happy stories on their website - http://unchaindogs.net/tails.html.

These groups are doing great work – not only do they ensure spay/neuter services are provided to dogs they help, but their positive stance is more likely to change minds and open hearts of people who think it’s OK to chain their dog than just about anything else.

OTHER GROUPS WORKING TO UNCHAIN DOGS:

Fences for Fido

Dogs Deserve Better

Helping Animals

Mothers Against Dog Chaining

Chained dogs are unhappy, unsafe and dangerous – please don’t leave your dog tethered all day – find a group who can help you build a fence, and your dog’s gratitude and happiness will reduce your liability immediately!

Feral Friends Annual Fundraiser this Saturday

Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance annual fundraiser is this Saturday, October 3rd, from 6:30 - 9:30 at Artfest International. 

The lineup for the silent auction includes gift certificates for great restaurants including III Forks and Cantina Laredo, a makeup party at Elizabeth Arden, 4 tickets to Disneyland, a private wine tasting, symphony tickets, pet portraits, gift baskets and much more!  The evening's menu includes veggie hors de oeuvres, pasta and bread sticks plus two free drinks! 

Tickets are only $22 per person and are available on line.  Come on out and enjoy a night of fun in support of Feral Friends' mission to help control the overpopulation of cats in your community and help provide medical care and foster homes to adoptable cats and kittens.

For more info: Feral Friends Community Cat Alliance.

(Content courtesy of Rebecca Poling, our Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner – more of her articles here. Image courtesy of Urbancritter.)

“Hooray For The Underdog” Artists Reception This Friday, benefitting Animal Rescue of Texas

Friday, September 25th, Healey Grisham Studios and Hooray For The Underdog are hosting a reception showcasing new works of Beverly Ann Moore and benefitting Animal Rescue of Texas. 

The event runs from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and wine & hors d'oeuvres will be served.  Plus one lucky dog will win a featured art piece!

Healey Grisham Studios are located at 2036 Commerce Street in Dallas – c’mon down and join us!

Dog Poetry : "THE LIFE OF A PUPPY

Someone sent us this sweet, anonymous poem and we had to share it - enjoy!

This morning, I woke up & kissed my dad's head.
I peed on the carpet, then went back to bed.
"The life of a puppy, oh my, this is great."
Then I thought about breakfast," I hope it's not late."

Mom took me outside, we walked for a while.
This never fails to make Mama smile.
I sniffed of everything, that we did pass,
I ate something weird - it gave me gas.

I'm sure God loves me, I know that is true.
He gave me so many great things to chew.
Rugs, plants or rocks, I really don't care.
What I truly like best, is Dad's underwear.

That obedience book was sort of yummy.
Though it didn't sit well on my poor puppy tummy.
I threw up a bit, but that was all right,
When Mom found it later, I was well out of sight.

I made streamers of T. P., while running at full speed.
Mom is pretty quick -- but I was still in the lead.
I flew under the bed, and Mom flew past,
She stopped-shook her head, and breathed,
"You're too fast."

Mama later phoned Daddy, and said, "It was frightening!"
That afternoon, she was sure I'd pooped lightning.
She'd sat at the computer, while I chewed the cord,
She thought I was mad, but I was just bored.

When Mama had enough, couldn't take anymore,
That's when my tushy got shoved out the door.
I love it inside, but outside is best.
Lay in the cool grass, and had a good rest.

That didn't last long, there was too much to do--
Can't quite remember where I hid Daddy's shoe.
I found an old bone, and scratched at a flea,
I watched the dumb squirrels as they jumped in a tree.

I barked at the kids, when they got off the bus.
I can't figure out why this makes Mama fuss.
I barked at the neighbor, I barked at the wind.
I barked and barked, till Mom yelled, "COME IN."

The sun dipped in the west-soon Daddy would come!
I sure love my daddy: we always have fun.
I barked at my daddy, then turned on my charms,
I woo-wooed, "Hello," then jumped in his arms.

Sitting under the table -- it's sooo hard to wait.
Daddy slipped me a goodie right off his plate.
I raced through the house, and scattered my toys,
Ricocheted off the furniture, and made lots of noise.

Mom found her purse - the one I abused.
Daddy let loose a chuckle. Mom asked "Amused??"
I cowered down low, I must be in trouble.
Dad said, "Wasn't MY boy, it must be his double!"

Mom turned off the TV, and said,"Time for bed."
Dad said "Let's go boy," and patted my head.
I got in my spot, between Mom and Dad,
I thought 'bout my day and what fun I had.

Mama kicked out my bone from the covers below,
Then let loose a sigh -- a sigh deep and low.
She gave me a kiss, and snuggled me tight,
And whispered so softly, 'My darling goodnight'.

Author Unknown

Garland’s troubles keep multiplying

**JUST IN**

Garland’s euthanasia practices may be ethically questionable, but new evidence shows that the shelter may also have been violating State law in their choices of animals to put down.

The Dallas Morning News claims to have obtained records showing that the Garland animal shelter “has been gassing young, sick or elderly cats and dogs in violation of state law, probably causing them a slower, more stressful death.”

The shelter may also have been putting down animals immediately upon intake, in violation of city rules stating how long animals must be kept before being euthanized.

Read the full article here.

Garland Still Uses Gas to Euthanize Unwanted Pets

It’s highly controversial, widely held to be archaic and inhumane, but it’s still legal in Texas and the Garland animal shelter continues to use it as a preferred method of putting down unwanted animals. It’s carbon monoxide gas – the same poisonous gas your car’s exhaust puts out – only highly concentrated and about 80% of Garland’s euthanized animals die by carbon monoxide gassing.

Texas state legislators maintain that this method is necessary to enable shelters with only one or two people (generally a town Sheriff and deputy) to be able to euthanize an animal without requiring the skills necessary to effectively use the more acceptable sodium pentobarbital injection.

Garland has almost 20 people on staff, however, including animal control officers already trained in both methods of euthanasia and a full time vet, so there’s no reason for them to maintain an arguably less effective, less humane way to end an animal’s life. But they continue to insist on using the gas option, and now that they’re aware of the practice, and the controversy surrounding it, Garland residents are appalled.  Petitions have been signed, comments abound on blogs and news sites, and citizens are speaking out at the Garland City Council meetings. In vain, it would appear – the Garland shelter is standing by it's questionable decision, ostensibly for the good of its employees, claiming it’s less stressful to gas an animal than it is to administer a lethal injection.

When is it NOT stressful to kill a perfectly healthy and viable companion animal? Garland’s efforts to protect their employees are likely well intentioned but misguided. Sure, gassing an animal in another room is less personal than holding it in your arms and watching the life fade from its eyes, but it can be no less traumatic to know that the animal in the gas chamber died terrified and alone, instead of in the arms of someone who truly cared and shuffled them off this mortal coil as gently and lovingly as possible.

Garland City Council needs to listen to their constituents, evaluate the merits of each solution and – above all – keep the animals’ best interests in mind when making decisions about the operations of their animal shelter.

More information:

• Rebecca Poling’s Examiner article
• Dallas Morning News article 

Have your say:

Comment on the Garland blog and help shape the conversation

Fancy a round of golf on Saturday?

Uncle, available for adoption from Richardson Humane Society

Richardson Humane Society's 8th Annual Canine Classic golf tournament will be held Saturday, October 3rd at Oakridge Country Club in Garland with a shotgun start at 1pm. 

The two person Scramble costs only $ 90.00 per person which includes green fees, golf cart, range balls, dinner, and a goody bag.  Mulligans and raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 each.

As a nonprofit organization, Richardson Humane Society relies solely on donations to rescue, treat, and place deserving animals into for-ever homes. To date they have rescued and placed over 1,600 dogs and cats into loving homes.

Hurry - you can sign up online and get a free subscription to Golf Digest, but you must do so by tomorrow, Thursday, September 18th!

(Content courtesy of Rebecca Poling, our Dallas Animal Rescue Examiner – more of her articles here.)

Remembering lost friends on National Pet Memorial Day.

The International Association of Pet Cemeteries designated the second Sunday of September (that’s today) as National Pet Memorial Day.

Today, let’s all take the opportunity to remember lost loved pets, and to celebrate the joy and unconditional love they brought into our lives as our devoted companions.

For those who may have lost a pet recently, no words can salve the raw pain of your bereavement, but perhaps sharing this day of remembrance with others who have grieved might provide some small solace.

Some words of advice when dealing with the loss of a furry family member (yours or someone else’s) include:

• Grief and loss, like love, is a very personal thing and not everyone experiences it the same way. Know that whatever you’re feeling is OK, and that you have the right to process this loss in whatever way works best for you.
• Acknowledge that, for many people, pets are not just animals we own – they are family members and loved just as deeply as a child or sibling. That is a valid love, and the loss is every bit as valid and painful as if we lost any other of our family members. So cut yourself (or your grieving friend) some slack, and be kind.
• Trite as it may be, time WILL take away some of the pain. Let it. And hold on to the special memories.

Some suggestions for marking National Pet Memorial Day

• Write a poem, story, or song about and/or dedicated to your pet, or create a tribute video
• Write a letter to your pet expressing feelings you may be struggling with, tell them how much you miss them, or thank them for the wonderful memories you have
• Share photographs and stories with family or friends; remembering the special times, the love and joy they brought us
• Visit their burial site, hold a remembrance ceremony with family and friends
• Create a living memorial by planting a tree, bush, or flower garden
• Create an online memorial, whether it be on a pet memorial website, blog or other site
• Explore the Internet for pet memorial sites with inspiring stories of love and devotion between people and their companions
• Make a personalized magazine cover for your pet, a great way to catalog the fond memories of the times shared using pictures, and great headlines to share with everyone
• Use this day to volunteer at your local animal shelter or a rescue group
• Use this day to make a donation in memory of your companion to a local animal charity, shelter or rescue group

We at Companions For Life are remembering our own precious pets who have travelled to the Rainbow Bridge as well as the millions of pets across the country who have died at the hands of irresponsible owners, or in shelters for want of a loving home. May those bright souls find comfort at the Bridge and a respite from a harsh world. RIP beloved pets and all those lost, abandoned or abused.

(post by Urbancritter)