Teen Who Made National News Last Fall When He Started a Petition to Get His Unique Photo Featured in the Yearbook as His Senior Portrait: Commits Suicide

Upstate New York teen, Draven Rodriguez, a senior at Schenectady High School who proposed to have a yearbook photo of him and his cat against a backdrop of lasers, died on Thursday.

The Times Union reports the cause of death was suicide. He was 17.

Rodriguez made national news last fall when he started a petition to get his unique photo featured in the yearbook as his senior portrait. The petition was a precaution, while the school did not decline the photo just yet.

"This is my pre-emptive strike just in case such a thing were to happen," Rodriguez explained in his petition. "I wanted as many backers as possible before the deadline of September 15th."

However, even after reaching more than 7,000 signatures, Rodriguez was not allowed to use the photo in the yearbook. Instead, Principal Diane Wilkinson, and her Chihuahua Vivienne, joined Rodriguez for a new laser cat yearbook photo.

Buzzfeed says the new photo will appear in the yearbook in order to raise awareness for American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and rescue animals.

Rodriguez's father, Jonathan Stewart, tells the Times Union that his son "made friends wherever he went" and "had friends all over the country."

Rodriguez is survived by Stewart; his mother, Melissa Petersen-Stewart; his 11-year-old sister, Lily Stewart; his biological father, Eric Rodriguez, and the Rodriguez family; among many others.

In a Facebook post from Jan. 29, Rodriguez quoted Reza Zand as saying, "We are all people, and we should help each other out," the Times Union says.

"He had an empathy for the world and for other people that I think is rare in kids his age," Stewart adds. "It was wonderful to see."


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Camp Springs, Maryland - Coolridge Animal Hospital: Call us today to schedule your Pets FREE Dental Exam, All Dental Cleanings Are $50.00 Off Until 03/31/2015

Call us today to schedule your pets Free Dental exam, all dental cleanings are $50.00 off til 03/31/2015, and our Purina Dental Diet and treats are 40% off. Your pet will also receive with their dental cleaning a gift bag filled with toothpaste, toothbrush, sample diet treats!

Don't delay, schedule today!

Includes comprehensive physical exam, pre-anesthesia bloodwork, intravenous catheter, supportive fluids, Sevoflurane gas anesthesia, ultrasonic scaling and polishing, day of hospitalization, at home dental care kit .

*Discount available for a limited time only until March 31, 2015.
New patients welcome!

Website: Coolridge Animal Hospital



Coolridge Animal Hospital
6801 Old Branch Ave
Camp Springs, Maryland
(301) 449-1610

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Rescued From the Illegal Exotic Pet Trade, Vish the Sloth Gets a Happy Ending

Vish is a three-month-old sloth who was confiscated by Peruvian authorities when he was found being kept (illegally) as a pet in the city of Tarapoto in the Amazon region of San Martin. Sloths are extremely sensitive wild animals that should never be kept as pets, but the illegal wildlife trade is rife in the area.

Illegal markets act as a conduit for both live and dead animals captured from the forests. Monkeys, coatis and birds are common victims of the exotic pet trade in Peru. Tragically, these babies are often tied up next to the carcasses of their dead family members whose bodies will be sold as “bushmeat.” Many are not even weaned and are too young to survive without their mothers.

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Pets: The Llama Is In

People who keep llamas as pets will readily offer you any number of reasons: llamas are quiet, they’re gentle and affectionate, they don’t take a lot of work to maintain and, for outdoor animals, they don’t smell bad.

But it’s more than that. Look at a llama and it’ll gaze back sympathetically with those huge, beguiling eyes, ears perked up, looking for all the world like it understands you and really cares about your problems.

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Horse Health

Spring might be the best time of the year, but if we have horses that are prone to developing grass founder, this season may be the beginning of serious problems for some of our horses. Horses that are over the age of 10, easy keepers, overweight or cresty-necked seem especially vulnerable to grass founder and should be the focus of founder prevention.

To read more on this story, click here: Horse Health

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Native American Horses

Horses forever changed life on the Great Plains. They allowed tribes to hunt more buffalo than ever before. They tipped the balance of power in favor of mounted warriors. And they became prized as wealth. For Native Americans today, horses endure as an emblem of tradition and a source of pride, pageantry, and healing.

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Woman Sleeps in Freezing NYC Park to Save Senior Feral Dog

A very dedicated woman spent two freezing cold nights sleeping in a cardboard box in a New York City Park in an effort to gain the trust of a 10-year-old wild dog named Charlie, or Ricky, depending on who you ask.  Her devotion, along with that of many other concerned neighbors, paid off, and now he is warm and receiving the medical care and love he needs.

Denise Lauffer is a dog walker who has adopted three feral dogs and a stray since she moved to the Washington Heights area in 1994.  For the last several years, she’s been leaving food out for Charlie, a dog born within a pack of wild dogs that freely roamed Highbridge Park.

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The New Science Of Understanding Dog Behavior

What's the best advice to give man about respecting man's best friend?

Animal behaviorist John Bradshaw says it's realizing that dogs are neither wolves nor furry humans and that dog owners have certain responsibilities to make sure their dogs are psychologically healthy.

Bradshaw, who has spent much of his career debunking bad advice given to dog owners, is the author of a new behavior guidebook called Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet. The book details what pet owners should expect from their dogs and what their dogs should expect in return from their owners.

To read more on this story, click here: The New Science Of Understanding Dog Behavior

You can order these items on Amazon.com:

Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You A Better Friend to Your Pet by John Bradshaw (May 10 2011)




Dog Sense How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You A Better Friend to Your Pet by Bradshaw, John [Basic Books,2012] [Paperback]




By John Bradshaw: Dog Sense: How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet [Audiobook]




Dog Sense How the New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You A Better Friend to Your Pet by Bradshaw, John [Basic Books,2011] [Hardcover]

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Purina Beneful Dog Food Kills Dogs, Class Action Says

Nestle Purina Petcare Company was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that its Beneful dog food includes toxic substances which are capable of killing dogs.

According to the Beneful class action lawsuit filed in a California federal court by plaintiff Frank Lucido on Feb. 5, Beneful is responsible for making thousands of dogs either seriously ill or causing them to die, which happened to one of his own dogs.

Lucido owned three dogs — a German Shepherd, an English Bulldog and a Labrador. He bought a bag of Beneful for the first time in late December 2014 or early January 2015 and each dog began eating Beneful exclusively, the Beneful class action lawsuit explains.

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Do You Have Experience Handling Animals?, If So, The Prince George’s County Animal Management Division, Has a Position Opened for an Assistant Kennel Manager

The Prince George’s County Animal Management Division is seeking an ASSISTANT KENNEL MANAGER to oversee Animal Care Technicians and Animal Health Technicians, and daily kennel operations. We are a high volume, open admission shelter. Applicant should be an experienced animal sheltering person who can multi-task and is a self-starter.

Minimum Qualifications: Two years of paid work experience handling animals in an animal hospital, shelter, or related animal facility, to include direct experience with animal euthanasia, are required. Applicant must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Good communication and customer service skills a must. Basic computer skills needed. Must be Maryland certified in euthanasia or qualify to become certified in euthanasia. Preferred Qualifications: Previous supervisory experience and a clean driving record are preferred. Experience in Chameleon software a plus.

Please fax your application and resume to the Animal Management Division at (301) 780-7257. You may also mail or drop off your application and resume at the PG Animal Services Facility, 3750 Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772

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Love Working With Animals? - Adoption Counselor Position Available at The Prince George’s County Animal Management Division

The Prince George’s County Animal Management Division is seeking an ADOPTION COUNSELOR at our high volume, open admission shelter. Adoption Counselors assist customers with adoption applications, ensure that all paperwork is completed, and process final adoptions. Adoption Counselors prepare rabies shot lists, rabies certificates, all microchip paperwork, spay/neuter surgery schedules, and required leukemia testing and heartworm testing lists. Adoption Counselors handle animals on a routine basis. Applicants must be detail-oriented and able to follow supervisor’s directives closely and carefully, as all adoption information and test results must be inputted into the computer system. Working hours will vary depending on the shift assignments.

Minimum Qualifications: Must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Good communication and customer service skills a must. Basic computer skills needed. Some knowledge of breeds and behavior of animals is required. Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge of and experience in handling domestic and wild animals preferred. Previous experience processing animal adoptions preferred. Experience working with Chameleon software preferred.

Please fax your application and resume to the Animal Management Division at (301) 780-7257. You may also mail or drop off your application and resume at the PG Animal Services Facility, 3750 Brown Station Road, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772

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Top Five Tips for Treating Ear Infections in Dogs and Cats

Ear Infections are one of the most common canine and feline health problems, but that doesn’t mean that veterinarians and owners are all that good at treating them. We all have to share the blame in this regard.

Owners often want a quick (and inexpensive) fix, and doctors can be unwilling to put in the time necessary to thoroughly explain the complexities behind many ear infections. To help remedy this situation, here are a few tips for treating ear infections in dogs and cats.

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Long Before Jill Rappaport Became Know for Her Animal Advocacy, the NBC Correspondent Was Already Saving the Lives of Pets in Need

Long before Jill Rappaport became know for her animal advocacy, the NBC correspondent was already saving the lives of pets in need. 

"I always had rescue dogs growing up," she tells PEOPLE. "I was the kid that would come home with a stray, even if it was a little mouse." 

Now an award-winning animal advocate and author, Rappaport is teaming up with celebs including Betty White, Lindsey Vonn and Emmylou Harris for her new special Best in Shelter, which aims to raise awareness for homeless animals and to help them find their forever homes.

"Right now there are almost 8 million animals in shelters across the country," says Rappaport. "And half of them will never make it out."


But her show isn't just about the plight of homeless pets. 

"When people walk into a shelter, they tend to go for the cute little puppy," she says. 

"The special focuses on the underdogs of the shelter world. The seniors, bully breeds, special needs animals and the mutts. They have the most difficult time getting a forever home." 

But when they do get adopted, Rappaport says there's nothing quite like it. 

"They know when they have been dumped, and they can smell euthanasia around them," she says. "Then someone comes in, picks them up, gives them a bath and kisses them – they know when they have been saved, and they thank you every day for it." 

And currently with five rescue dogs of her own, Rappaport knows the wonderful feeling firsthand. 

"Animals add so much joy," she says. "You are never lonely when you have your pets around you and there is just a bond there and you can't put it into words." 

Best in Shelter with Jill Rappaport airs on NBC 4 New York on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. ET, as well as on NBC-owned television stations and NECN (viewers in other markets can check their local listings for air times). 


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$10,000 Reward for Missing Yorkie, Last Seen at 3399 Jasmine Vine Ct. (Summerlin) in Las Vegas, NV - Missing Since, January 27, 2015

Tiner, a female 5-year-old, 4lb Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie) went missing from the home of her dog sitter and may have been stolen.

She is spayed, has a microchip and was last seen on January 27, 2015, at 3399 Jasmine Vine Ct. (Summerlin) in Las Vegas, NV.

She has an AKC Reunite chip

As you can imagine, her pet parent is utterly heartbroken. If you have seen this dog or know where she is, please call (702) 381-3215 or email FindTiner@gmail.com.

There is a $10,000 reward for her safe return.

On facebook, please like and share her page, FIND TINER - Los Vegas

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