Did you ever wonder why so many of the Subaru vehicles that visit your service bays are full of pet hair? Quite simply, Subaru owners love pets like they love their Subarus. Nearly seven out of ten Subaru owners have a pet, and Subaru customers are 1.3 times more likely to own a pet than are the customers of Subaru’s competitors.
As part of its efforts to support the interests of Subaru owners, Subaru is proud to partner with the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®).
As a Subaru owner and a animal lover, I want to share some of what I think are the cutest commercials! Remember: They are professional stunt dogs! Please do NOT try any of their stunts at home!
This healthy male American Bulldog mix was scheduled to be put down at the Rabies Control shelter in Jackson, Tennesee.
"Not because he is mean or tears things up," says a Facebook user who calls herself the "Jackson Madison Rabies Control Stalker."
No: "Because his owner says he's gay."
According to the 39-year-old mother-of-four who pays regular visits to the kill shelter looking for dogs to rescue, this unloved pooch was rejected because he was found "hunched [over]" another male dog.
"His owner threw him away because he refuses to have a 'gay' dog!" she writes. "Don't let this gorgeous dog die because his owner is ignorant of normal dog behavior! He's in kennel and he WILL be put down because there is no room!"
Facebook users from across the country jumped at the opportunity to rescue the doomed dog.
Multiple people and at least one canine rescue group volunteered to show up at the shelter as soon as the doors open and have him pulled from death row.
"I am adopting this big boy first thing in the morning," wrote Facebook user Stephanie Fryns of WOOF Connections. "He will be neutered/ htwm tested/ and vetted. He will be temperament tested and then places in a rescue verified and approved home."
UPDATE:
Rescued! According to The Tennessean, Gawker's coverage of the "gay dog" story had resulted in a flood of calls to the Jackson shelter where he was being kept. "I have had about 10 million calls this morning. It has been adopted already. It is gone," said an unnamed shelter employee. "He's in good hands."
The Jackson, Tenn., shelter was flooded with phone calls after a story went viral, a man who answered the phone there said.
The story cited a Facebook post that claimed the dog’s former owner dropped it off at the shelter because it humped another male dog.
“His owner says he’s gay,” the post read.
The post also claimed the dog was set to be euthanized.
“I can’t understand it,” said the shelter worker, who declined to give his name. “You know those dogs get on top of each other sometimes.”
“I have had about 10 million calls this morning. It has been adopted already. It is gone,” he said. “He’s in good hands.”
To anyone who is disappointed with the news that he has already been adopted, please contact your local animal shelter and consider giving a homeless animal a forever home!
Wellston, Ok - A 10-year-old pit bull terrier in Lincoln County, Oklahoma is being praised for her heroic actions. She saved two sisters from their burning home.
You'd never know "Baby" is an old dog. Her owners can barely keep up. And, apparently, "Baby's" mind is just as fast as her feet. Early Tuesday smoke and flames filled the family's Wellston home. Rhonda Westenberger and her sister were sound asleep, unaware of the danger until "Baby" sprang to action.
Baby, the pit bull, she went and nudged her and kept touching her. The dog would not stop barking and pouncing until the women woke up. And, when they did, they had just seconds to escape.
"I went back and there were flames shooting down the hallway," said Rhonda. "If baby hadn't woken Evelyn up, I don't think either one of us would have come out of this."
The women ran out but their other five dogs were stuck inside. So, once again, "Baby" came to the rescue.
"And then there was one hiding under the bed, wouldn't come out," aid family member Charles Land. "Baby actually went under there, grabbed it by the neck and dragged him outside."
The family's home of 17 years and everything in it is gone, but the family says their hope is not lost.
"She's always come across to us as one of the family and this just proves it."
As long as they have their family, their Baby, by their side.
"I'm so proud of her," said Rhonda. "She is my hero. She's the hero for all of us."
Denver, Colorado - Bunnies are usually pretty docile creatures, so when you see a news story that begins with “Bunnies Are Attacking”, it either brings to mind cheesy horror movies or a terrifying image of cute animals rising up to take over.
But the bunnies at Denver International Airport are just trying to stay warm, apparently, and keep their teeth sharp while they’re at it. Officials say they’re dealing with a massive rabbit problem in the parking lot there now that the animals have discovered warm spots beneath the vehicles. Extended stays in their little hideouts lead to them chewing on the wiring beneath the cars, causing anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars worth of damage.
“I see at least dozens every morning. They go hide under the cars and the cars are warm,” said airport shuttle driver Michelle Anderson.
Airport authorities have taken to some unconventional means to get rid of the bunnies, including sending motorists to local mechanics to have the wiring coated in coyote urine. They say the smell of a predator will keep the little furry guys away. For those keeping their cars in the lot, it’s on their own heads if a rabbit destroys the wiring in their car; most insurance companies won’t cover it, and officials at the airport say that parking permits clearly state they aren’t responsible for damage done to the cars while they’re parked there.
WARL Commended for Outstanding Dedication to Rescued Animals
Washington, DC - The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has named Washington Animal Rescue League as one of its top ten Emergency Placement Partners of 2012. Emergency Placement Partners are local animal agencies that work with The HSUS to provide ongoing care and find permanent homes for animals saved during large-scale rescue missions. There are more than 200 Placement Partners nationwide.
“We are thrilled to recognize Washington Animal Rescue League for its enthusiasm and dedication to helping when animals are in need,” said Michelle Cascio, manager of the emergency Placement Program for The HSUS. “Emergency Placement Partners play a critical role in our important mission to end animal cruelty, and we are thankful to Washington Animal Rescue League for being involved in this life-saving program.”
Twice in 2012, Washington Animal Rescue League deployed their mobile adoption vehicle hundreds of miles to assist The HSUS’ Animal Rescue Team with the transport and placement of puppy mill survivors. In August, they responded to a Shelby, Ohio, property where the breeder surrendered more than 250 dogs. They returned to Washington, D.C., with dozens of Chihuahuas and a few Shar Peis and worked tirelessly to find them all good homes. In September, they deployed to an Edgefield County, S.C., puppy mill and took a number of dogs back with them to recover and find new families.
“We are extremely honored to be named to this remarkable list,” said Bob Ramin, CEO of the Washington Animal Rescue League. “Being named as a top ten emergency placement partner of the Humane Society of the United States puts the Washington Animal Rescue League in elite company, and we’re very proud that we have earned this distinction. Our partners at HSUS do absolutely outstanding work and our partnership has resulted in hundreds of animals rescued from desperate situations and eventually placed in permanent, forever homes here in the Washington, D.C. area. We sincerely appreciate this recognition.”
After The HSUS removes animals from cruelty situations or natural disasters and provides them the veterinary and other care they need to recover, the organization works with Emergency Placement Partners to help in their long-term placement. As local groups with access to local resources, these organizations provide the animals with continued veterinary care, rehabilitation, and ultimately, placement in new homes. The HSUS has donated equipment for the shelters as a thank you for their dedication to helping rescued animals recover and find their forever homes.
The 2012 Top Ten Emergency Placement Partners include:
Second Chance Animal Shelter, East Brookfield, Mass.
Humane Society of Charlotte, Charlotte, N.C.
Virginia Beach SPCA, Virginia Beach, Va.
Dane County Humane Society, Madison, Wis.
Montgomery Humane Society, Montgomery, Ala.
Southern Pines Animal Shelter, Hattiesburg, Miss.
SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare, Aiken, S.C.
Overview
As is the case with people, a dog’s health changes with age. Unfortunately, our pets age much faster than we do.
Symptoms
Regardless of your dog’s age, you play a key role in helping her combat illness and remain as healthy as possible. Remember, your dog cannot describe symptoms to you, but she can show you signs of disease. Awareness of the signs of the most common diseases is one way to help reduce your pet’s risk of being affected by them. It’s a little scary to consider that 10% of pets that appear healthy to their owners and their veterinarians during annual checkups have underlying diseases.1
The top 10 signs that your dog may be ill are:
Bad breath or drooling
Excessive drinking or urination
Appetite change associated with weight loss or gain
Change in activity level (e.g., lack of interest in doing things they once did)
Stiffness or difficulty in rising or climbing stairs
Sleeping more than normal, or other behavior or attitude changes
Coughing, sneezing, excessive panting, or labored breathing
Dry or itchy skin, sores, lumps, or shaking of the head
Frequent digestive upsets or change in bowel movements
Dry, red, or cloudy eyes
If your best friend shows symptoms of being ill, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Unfortunately, you may not always recognize that your dog is sick. Often, even the most well-intentioned dog owners attribute the subtle signs of disease to aging.
Diagnosis/Treatment
Because signs of disease are not always obvious, your veterinarian may recommend preventive care testing as part of your dog’s annual exam.
Preventive care testing often includes the following:
Chemistry tests to evaluate kidney, liver, and pancreatic function, as well as sugar levels
Antibody tests to identify if your pet has been exposed to tick-borne or other infectious diseases
A complete blood count to rule out blood-related conditions
Electrolyte tests to ensure your dog isn’t dehydrated or suffering from an electrolyte imbalance
Urine tests to screen for urinary tract infection and other disease and to evaluate the ability of the kidneys to concentrate urine
A thyroid test to determine if the thyroid gland is producing too little thyroid hormone
An ECG to screen for an abnormal heart rhythm, which may indicate underlying heart disease
Additional tests may be added on an individual basis. Your veterinarian will recommend the right course for your best friend.
Prevention
Preventive care screening not only helps to detect disease in its earlier stages, when it is most likely to respond to treatment, it also can help you avoid significant medical expense and risk to your dog’s health if an illness goes undetected. In addition, by establishing your pet’s normal baseline laboratory values during health, your veterinarian—and you—can more easily see when something is wrong with your pet. Annual screening is the best preventive medicine!
For more information about preventive testing, contact your veterinarian—your best resource for information about the health and well-being of your pet.
“Dog with human face” isn’t something you hear everyday (unless it’s a photoshopped meme), but when a photo of a dog with soulful eyes hit Buzzfeed recently, it went viral.
Turns out the pup’s name is Tonik and he hails from a kill shelter in Kentucky, where he was rescued by the Homeward Bound Animal Welfare Group in Indiana. Authorities there say he’s a sweet-natured boy who gets along well with other dogs, and they’re hoping to find someone to adopt him.
For info on how to meet or adopt Tonik, contact Homeward Bound.
RENO, Nevada - Stewie the Cat, the longest domestic cat in the world at more than 4 feet long from nose to tail, has died.
Stewie was surrounded by family when he succumbed to a yearlong battle with cancer Monday evening at his Reno home, owner Robin Hendrickson said Tuesday. He was 8.
Guinness World Records declared Stewie the record-holder in August 2010, measuring 48.5 inches from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail.
Hundreds of fans flooded Stewie's Facebook site with memories and condolences Tuesday. The Maine Coon cat was a certified therapy animal that frequently visited a Reno senior center and helped promote animal welfare awareness with the Nevada Humane Society.
"Stewie was always very social and loved meeting new people," Hendrickson said. "He has touched many lives, and for that I am grateful."
Stewie's full name was Mymains Stewart Gilligan. Hendrickson bought him from a breeder in Hermiston, Ore., in 2005. Last month, he attended the International Cat Show in Portland, Ore.
"He did really well at the show, even though he wasn't feeling totally perfect," said Valerie Horton, the show's entry clerk. "He loved being there because he loved the public. He always did."
Officials for Guinness World Records did not immediately respond to inquiries about a successor to Stewie's record. The previous record-holder, Leo, a 48-inch-long Maine Coon owned by Frieda Ireland of Chicago, died several years ago.
Stewie was diagnosed in early 2012 with Lymphosarcoma, a malignant disease of the lymphoid tissues. He responded successfully to chemotherapy and was declared cancer-free, but the remission period was brief and a vet recently found another, more aggressive tumor on his kidneys, Hendrickson said.
"I knew that although we could fight it, the end was near and so I wanted to simply make him comfortable and let him enjoy the time he did have," she said.
