The Carroll County Sheriff's Office Needs Your Help in Naming Their Adorable New K9, A Four-Month-Old Female Bloodhound Puppy - Contest Ends March 29

Westminster, MD - An adorable new K9 puppy at the Carroll County Sheriff's Office needs your help: She doesn't have a name yet!

The four-month-old bloodhound puppy is set to be much more than merely adorable, of course. She's slated to undergo 10 weeks of training with the Maryland State Police, after which she'll also be highly skilled.

The puppy will learn how to search for missing people, criminals who have tried to evade police, and escaped inmates. She'll also be able to help investigators develop leads in criminal cases.

But she still doesn't have a name, and that's where you come in. The Sheriff's Office is asking people to send their suggestions to ccsopuppycontest@gmail.com. In your message, include a history of the name or the reason why you're suggesting it.

The Sheriff's Office is accepting ideas through email only, so hold off on any social media submissions.

You have through March 29 to submit name suggestions. A decision on the name will be made no later than April 2nd, and will be announced via social media.

Louis, a Ginger Tom Cat, Accused of Pouncing on to Unsuspecting Pet Dogs Heads in Wells, Somerset

Louis, a 17-year-old Ginger Tom Cat, accused of pouncing on to unsuspecting pet dogs heads in Wells, Somerset.

Whether he’s running through the magnificent nave, warming himself next to a cosy radiator, or curling up in his favorite basket in the gift shop, Louis the cat has become a beloved feature of Wells Cathedral.

But Louis has gotten himself into trouble after a Ginger Tom answering his description was accused of a series of rather nasty attacks on dogs in the peaceful Somerset city.

The owner of one alleged victims was, Mandie Stone-Outten, who said her Springer Spaniel, Millie was targeted in Market Place close to the Cathedral. “This dangerous, semi-feral cat pounced like a wild lion in the jungle on to my dog Millie’s head,” she said.

“It happened so quickly. I pulled the leash backwards and Millie went flying down the curb, into the gutter, and ended up in a heap of muddy rainwater.

Beware, this ball of fluff is not as cute and cuddly as he looks. I’ve got a battered elbow, battered knee and a sore wrist,” she said.

Louis began living at the great 12th Century Church about ten years ago to keep the mice away.

He has become so popular he has even starred in a children’s book, called 'Louis the Cathedral Cat', and is featured in a range of merchandise including clocks, coasters and wine-stoppers available in the gift shop.

Debbie Sheppard, who works at the Present Company in Market Place, saw the aftermath of the Millie incident – and spotted Louis running off.”

“Louis likes to sleep in here, and he was in here on the day in question. It was nearing the end of the day, so I put Louis outside. The next thing I heard was this hissing, and when I looked outside Louis was walking up the street looking very sad.” She said.

Sheppard, insisted Louis was a very nice, gentle animal. “He’s a very sweet cat and I certainly don’t think he’s suddenly turned nasty." The last time she saw Louis he was being petted by children on their way to school, and was definitely not lashing out.

"There have been at least two other attacks involving a Ginger Tom around the Cathedral, but there is a chance that it could all be a case of mistaken identify.

I’ve heard there was another Ginger Cat around here at the same time, and it’s possible that it’s him attacking the dogs. We don’t know for sure whether or not Louis was involved. He had definitely been in the shop just before the incident happened outside, but it could have been a different cat.” She added.

Feline Panleukopenia, Often Referred to as Feline Distemper, is an Extremely Contagious and Often Fatal Disease of Cats

Feline Panleukopenia often referred to as feline distemper, is an extremely contagious and often fatal disease of cats. It can also infect non-domestic felidae and other animals such as raccoons and certain members of the weasel family such as mink. It does not affect dogs.

What are the causes of panleukopenia?
Feline panleukopenia is caused by a virus closely related to canine parvovirus infection (some strains of canine parvovirus can infect cats) and like parvovirus of dogs the virus can persist in the environment for a year or more. Once a commonly seen disease, parvovirus is now relatively uncommon in large part because most domestic cats are vaccinated and the vaccine is very effective. Nonetheless, the disease persists among unvaccinated cats. As is the case with parvovirus in dogs, the feline form of the disease is transmitted in bodily fluids and can persist in the environment. Transmission (on shoes and clothing) and environmental contamination can be greatly reduced with simple hygiene1.

What are the signs of feline panleukopenia?
The disease occurs primarily in young cats and kittens and causes severe depression and lethargy as well as high fever and severe vomiting and diarrhea. Affected cats have a very low white blood cell count (hence the name panleukopenia). Many cats undergo a subclinical infection and do not show signs at all. Not all exposed cats become clinically ill but exposed cats as well as cats that survive the full-blown disease have long-term immunity after their infection.

How can cats become infected by feline panleukopenia?
The route of infection is primarily oral and nasal. The virus quickly enters the blood stream and spreads to all parts of the body. The clinical disease is frequently fatal with a mortality rate as high as 75 percent. Complete recovery can take several weeks2.

How is feline panleukopenia diagnosed?
A presumptive diagnosis can be made based on clinical history and clinical signs as well as a very low white blood count. More sophisticated tests may be employed in large outbreaks but are not generally needed.

What are the treatments for feline panleukopenia?
Because this is a viral disease, treatment is largely based on the symptoms until the patient begins to recover. The most severe symptoms occur in the first 5-7 days.

What is the prognosis with feline panleukopenia?
Unfortunately, as many as 75 percent of patients may not survive feline panleukopenia and the virus can increase the potential of secondary infections including chronic respiratory viruses.

How can feline panleukopenia be prevented?
There is a very effective and very safe vaccine available that has significantly reduced the incidence of panleukopenia. All cats should be vaccinated in accordance with the recommendations of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and your veterinarian.

As with many diseases the answer lies in early and complete prevention by means of effective vaccination procedures. Be sure to discuss this and other vaccine recommendations as part of your cats overall wellness program.

Source: Pet Health Network

Heartwarming Story: The Rescue of Two Stray Dogs as They Get Separated During the Rescue, and Are Adopted Together

Sharing from: Hope For Paws and PAL Rescue

Hope For Paws and PAL Rescue teamed up to save three dogs who have been living on the streets for a long time. When Lisa Chiarelli and I arrived on the rescue location, we found Anna & Aurora, and we also found their friend... dead on the road.

We were able to save them in this challenging rescue, and a couple of days ago, our friend Diana Lundin Pet Photography volunteered to take some beautiful pictures of them in their new amazing home.