Amtrak Carry-On Pet Pilot Program Extended

Available on the Carl Sandburg and Illinois Zephyr May 5, 2014 - April 26, 2015; Saluki & Illini August 11, 2014 - April 26, 2015

If you're traveling on the Carl Sandburg and Illinois Zephyr, Trains 380, 381, 382 and 383 or the Illini and Saluki, Trains 390, 391, 392 and 393, you can now take your pet along. Amtrak is conducting a pilot program sponsored by the state of Illinois that will allow customers to take their small dogs or cats along with them on the train. Now that Rover can come over, we hope to see you and your pet onboard.

Pets Onboard
Please refer to the guidelines below. Other restrictions may apply. Note that these guidelines do not pertain to passengers traveling with service animals.

Types of Pets Allowed
Cats and dogs are the only types of pets accepted on Amtrak, and only one pet per passenger will be allowed.

Where Travel Must Begin

Passengers must begin the first leg of their trip at the Chicago, Naperville, Galesburg, Homewood, Champaign-Urbana or Carbondale stations during the hours that the ticket offices are open.

Note: Due to the ticket office hours, the only train accepting pet reservations at Naperville is Train 383, and at Homewood the only trains accepting pet reservations are Trains 393 and 392.

Round trips may be booked to an unstaffed station, but travel must begin at staffed stations, as described in the "Pet Reservations, Fare and Ticketing" section below.

Pet Reservations, Fare and Ticketing
Effective August 4, pet reservations will be accepted on the Trains 380, 381, 382, 383, 390, 391, 392 and 393, through April 26, 2015. Travel with pets on Trains 390, 390, 391, 392 and 393 begins August 11.

Pet reservations are made on a first-come, first-served basis. No more than four pets are reserved per train. Service animals do not count towards this limitation.

The fare for pets is $25.00 per carrier, for each travel segment.

Pet reservations can only be made with a reservation agent at 1-800-USA-RAIL or at a staffed station.

Passengers may only pick up pet tickets at the Chicago, Naperville, Galesburg, Homewood, Champaign-Urbana or Carbondale stations. Pet tickets cannot be picked up at any other stations.
Pets are not permitted to travel with unaccompanied minors.

During this pilot program, multi-ride tickets cannot be used in conjunction with pet reservations. Multi-ride ticket holders traveling with a pet must reserve a coach seat and pay the applicable fare.

Arrive at Least 30 Minutes Early
Passengers traveling with pets must check in at the station ticket office no later than 30 minutes before train departure time in order to allow sufficient time to confirm pet eligibility and complete a Release and Indemnification Agreement.

Designated Pet Car & Onboard Guidelines

• Passengers must remain with pets at all times.
• Pets must remain inside their carrier at all times and may not be removed from their carrier while in stations or onboard trains.
• Passengers must keep their pet carrier under their own seat. Pet carriers are not permitted under the seat in front of you.
• Pet carriers are not permitted on train seats.
• Pets are not permitted in food service cars.
• Each Carl Sandburg, Illinois Zephyr, Saluki and Illini train will have one railcar designated for passengers with their pets.

Approved Pet Carriers

• Pet owners must provide their own pet carrier.
• The maximum size for pet carriers is 19" long x 14" wide x 10.5" high.
• Carrier may be hard or soft sided but must be leak proof and well ventilated.
• For safety reasons, pet must be able to sit and lie down comfortably without touching the sides of the carrier.
• A carrier counts as one piece of carry-on baggage.

Pet Age and Health

• Pet must be at least eight weeks old.
• Pets must be odorless and harmless, not disruptive, and require no attention during travel. Amtrak maintains the right to refuse acceptance of or remove from the train any pet exhibiting these issues.
• Passengers will be required to certify that pet is up to date on all vaccinations and accepts liability for animal.
• Maximum weight of pet with carrier is 20 pounds.
• Amtrak will not accept liability for the health and well-being of pets.

Note: In the event of an incident, Amtrak will make reasonable efforts to assist passengers with the evacuation of their pets and will seek (but cannot guarantee) pet friendly accommodations, if alternate transportation or sheltering is necessary.

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Washington DC's Cat Café, Crumbs & Whiskers Kickstarter Launch - You're Invited to the Festivities - Sunday, March 8th (Rescheduled from March 1st)

So that pesky snowstorm postponed the Crumbs & Whiskers Kickstarter Launch Party, but fear not! It's rescheduled to THIS Sunday. RSVP MEOW and get in on the action at Penn Social.

What is Crumbs & Whiskers?

Cats. desserts. Tea. Cats. Books. Coffee. Cats.

...Did we mention Cats?!

Crumbs & Whiskers brings together some amazing things. Specifically coffee, tea, desserts, and you guessed it...cats! DC's cat cafe will serve as a foster home for the Washington Humane Society's shelter cats and as a really fun place to hang out for DC residents. The concept is pretty simple. Cats in cages are sad, so we get them out of there. Anyone without a cat is sad (or should be), so we hook them up. Then, we give everybody desserts and coffee and tea. The end.

What: Crumbs & Whiskers Kickstarter Launch

Date: Sunday, March 8, 2015

Time: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Location:
Penn Social
801 E St NW
Washington, DC 20004









For more information on this event, click here: Crumbs & Whiskers Kickstarter Launch

Website: http://www.crumbsandwhiskers.com/



To learn how the Washington Humane Society is partnering with Crumbs & Whiskers, read my post:

Washington Humane Society - It's Official We're Partnering with Crumbs & Whiskers to Bring You DC's Own Cat Cafe

Please share!

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Maryland SPCA - Meet, Iris, a Beautiful 1-Year-Old Wide-Eyed Girl Looking For Her Forever Home - Do You Have Room In Your Heart And In Your Home For Iris?

Iris, a beautiful one-year-old pup has been at the Maryland SPCA since December. She wants to be part of a family so desperately! Do you have room in your heart and in your home for Iris?

This playful girl has a lot of wide-eyed puppy traits, but has become a great listener and champion sitter. She's a real snuggle-bug and will get cozy with both kids and dogs. Did we mention that her soulful eyes will touch your heart? Her adoption fee has been waived, and she's already spayed, vaccinated and microchipped.

We're not open today, but will be tomorrow. Help us make tomorrow adoption day for Iris.

This wiggly girl still has a lot of puppy traits, but in her time at the MD SPCA, Iris has become a great listener, and champion sitter. Iris is a snuggle-bug and will gladly get cozy under the covers with both kids and dogs.

Iris needs to go to a home without any cats. She loves kids and other dogs, but isn't fond of cats.

Stop by the MD SPCA to meet Iris.

Maryland SPCA
3300 Falls Rd,
Baltimore, Maryland 21211

To learn more about Maryland SPCA, click HERE!

Website: Maryland SPCA



Take a look at Iris' video:

Post by Maryland SPCA.

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Busted by a Beagle at Logan…Again

I was waiting for my suitcase at the baggage carousel at Logan International Airport’s Terminal E, having just returned from Iceland with my son and daughter.

From across the room, I spotted the beagle. He was heading in my direction.

I recognized him as an “agriculture canine” trained to sniff for prohibited foods that could be host to pests or diseases. Wearing a US Customs and Border Protection vest, the dog was sniffing his way through the crowd of passengers, his K-9 handler right behind him.

My stomach sank. I was carrying contraband — to wit, a banana. I knew he’d find it since I’d been busted by a beagle once before, in New Zealand, when I’d naively packed a piece of banana bread in my bag, never thinking it counted as fruit. Dozens of people watched — many of them smirking — when the dog detected it. I was mortified, and now I’d done it again.

In the spirit of full disclosure, let me say that I love dogs but detest beagles. In my experience, nothing good has ever come of an encounter with one. They hound me, quite literally.

I was 10 the first time it happened. I’d begged my parents to adopt a dog from an animal shelter, and we agreed on a beagle. She was a 40-pound misanthrope named Jolly, and she hated most people, including me.

One day, I bent down to pat her. With one ferocious snarl, Jolly leaped up and chomped on my nose, holding tight even when I stood up, screaming. The police were called. I was rushed to hospital. When it was all over, I still had my nose, but (thankfully) no more beagle.

So when I spotted the beagle in Terminal E, I had a strong sense of dread, and déjà vu. Not that I didn’t deserve what was coming. I’d knowingly stowed the banana in my backpack that morning — a double offense, actually, since I’d lifted it from our Reykjavik hotel breakfast buffet, ignoring the not-too-subtle warning printed on my paper placemat saying the meal was to be “enjoyed in the restaurant.”

I’d planned to eat it before we got to Logan, but forgot. And then it was time to fill out the Customs Declaration, which asked if I was bringing “fruits, vegetables, plants, seeds, food, insects.”

I hesitated. But I was hungry and tired, and there was a storm coming, and no food in the house, and who wanted to shop for groceries in a snow storm after a long flight from Iceland? Maybe, I reasoned, that banana was all that stood between me and a miserable night on an empty stomach. I ticked off the “No” box.

Besides what harm could one little Icelandic banana do?

And who’d know, anyway?

Roscoe knew. That was the dog’s name, according to Sean Smith, the public affairs officer for the US Customs and Border Protection Boston field office.

I kept my head down while Roscoe sniffed his way around the room, grateful that neither of my children was there to witness this. (My son had flown to Toronto and my daughter had wandered away.)

He moved quickly, deftly steering his handler through the crowd. He approached me and looked suspicious. He sniffed and then sat down, staring meaningfully at my backpack as though to say: “Once again, another idiot.” I remained deeply immersed in the suitcases rotating on the carousel.

“Are you sure, buddy?” the handler said, no doubt wondering how a woman old enough to be his mother could be capable of smuggling. I pretended not to hear.

He asked me if I was carrying any food.

I feigned a look of surprise. Why I did that, I don’t know.

“No,” I said politely.

He asked me to check my bag. At that point I should have just produced the accursed banana. but I was suddenly gripped by a mischievous impulse to let this play out as far as it could. I couldn’t bear to be shamed by a beagle, not again.

I made a show of rummaging through my backpack, and emerged with . . . a cookie, wrapped in a napkin. I’d snatched the cookie from the buffet table too. “I have a cookie, “ I told the guard. “Maybe that’s what he’s smelling?”

“Nope,” the man said.

Defeated, I surrendered my banana, mumbling a lame excuse about not knowing how it had gotten there. I was overcome by embarrassment, and by an urge to explain what I’d done in a way that would let me save face. But what was there to say? You mean, bananas are fruit?

Instead I turned to the beagle. “Good dog!” I said, feeling ridiculous.

The man gave the dog a treat. “Don’t. Bring. Fruit,” he scolded me, before turning on his heel. With my banana.

I was very lucky. Sean Smith told me I could have been fined $300.

Later, I texted my son to let him know we’d arrived safely. I added: “I got busted by a dog who sniffed my banana.”

Source: Linda Matchan

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Amateur Photographer Records the Extraordinary Image of a Weasel Riding on the Back of a Woodpecker

An Amateur photographer, from Essex, has recorded the extraordinary image of a weasel riding on the back of a green woodpecker.

The photograph was taken by Martin Le-May, at Hornchurch Country Park in east London.

Speaking to BBC News, Mr. Le-May said that he managed to capture the moment while he was walking with his wife, Ann.

"I heard a distressed squawking noise, and feared the worst. I soon realized it was a woodpecker with some kind of small mammal on its back."

"I think we may have distracted the weasel, and when the woodpecker landed, it managed to escape." He said.

Mr. Le-May said he was astounded by the reaction to the picture on social media.

The wildlife shot has been re-tweeted several thousand times.

"I'm so proud that so many people are getting to see my image. I'm totally taken aback by the response to it." he said.

'Ferocious as a lion'

Wildlife expert Lucy Cooke told the BBC News Channel: "This is a truly extraordinary image."

"The green woodpecker is a ground-feeding bird, but weasels normally attack rabbits. The woodpecker is not its usual prey."

"But weasels are fearless. A female weasel weighs less than a Mars Bar but is as ferocious as a lion, so this is why the woodpecker would have been able to take off with it on its back." he said.

Wildlife presenter Steve Backshall agrees that while highly unusual it is not totally unheard of and has "no reason to doubt" the photo.

He compared the woodpecker to other animals like leaf cutter ants and rhino beetles, which can carry 850 times their body weight.

"The weasel is pretty fascinating as well. It can kill things much bigger than itself, so it's an impressive little creature when you think about its size." he said.


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Some of the Common Ailments that Can Affect Horses

You love your horse, so you no doubt want him to live a long and healthy life. To ensure this, you should become familiar with some of the common ailments that can affect horses. In addition, establish a relationship with a local equine vet as soon as you obtain your horse. Follow her advice on deworming and vaccinations—these will depend on your location because different diseases and parasites are more common in some areas than others. Lastly, observe your horse closely and learn what normal behavior is for him. Abnormal behavior may be your first clue that something is wrong. The sooner you detect a problem, the sooner you can take steps to fix it.

Colic
Colic is actually not one condition; it is a catchall name for several different serious digestive problems that commonly afflict horses. Make no mistake: You must deal with suspected colic immediately, as all forms can be fatal. The condition can be caused by a blockage of the intestines (caused by improper food, foreign objects, or other factors), excessive gas in the intestines (usually caused by a rapid change in diet), or the intestines becoming twisted (causes not well understood). Colic can also be caused by some gastrointestinal parasites.

The most serious type is colic that results from the intestines becoming twisted, which normally requires surgery to correct. Surgery for severe colic is expensive, and not all horses survive. This is why it is imperative to seek care at the first signs of colic.

If your horse exhibits the following signs, he may have colic: inappetence, constipation or infrequent bowel movements, signs of being in pain, repeated flehmen response, teeth clenching, salivation, stretching the legs out from the body (a position called “parking”), pacing, nipping at or looking at his sides, pawing the ground, getting up and down often, and frequent rolling. If your horse exhibits any of these signs, call your equine vet immediately

You can help prevent colic by feeding your horse a proper diet; ensuring that he always has clean water available; not allowing him to ingest dirt, sand, or other inappropriate materials; making any dietary changes gradually; and performing deworming regularly as recommended by your veterinarian.

Heaves
“Heaves” is the commonly used word for the medical condition known as recurrent airway obstruction (RAO). This is a chronic respiratory inflammation frequently caused by an allergic reaction to airborne particles. It bears some resemblance to asthma in humans. RAO is most often seen in horses who are in their stable a lot and exposed to dust and molds from old hay and straw.

The signs of heaves include shortness of breath (especially after exertion), moist coughing (often but not always producing copious phlegm), and wheezing. In severe cases, afflicted horses will struggle to breathe—this is a veterinary emergency! Horses who have heaves for a long time will develop “heave lines”—a prominent bulge of muscle along the ribs.

The best treatment and prevention for heaves is to keep your horse outside as much as possible. Additionally, eliminate sources of mold and dust by throwing out and replacing old hay and bedding, soaking hay in water before feeding, cleaning out his stall frequently, and anything else you can do to reduce your horse’s exposure to airborne particles. Once a horse has heaves, he may need to be medicated for the rest of his life, and his ability to work or perform may be limited.

Laminitis
Laminitis is an inflammation of certain internal structures of the hoof. This painful and serious condition causes lameness; the horse may lie down to try to relieve the pain in his hooves. The affected foot may feel hot to the touch.

There are numerous causes, most relating to some type of whole-body stress (trauma, colic surgery, hormonal disorders, etc.). Another common cause is eating too much grain. Other less common causes are untreated infections, working a horse on very hard ground (e.g., asphalt), reactions to drugs, and reactions to agricultural chemicals—especially herbicides and fertilizers.

If laminitis goes untreated, it may result in the horse becoming lame for life. Seek veterinary attention if you suspect that your horse has laminitis. Treatment may involve cryotherapy (cold packs), anti-inflammatory drugs, and/or orthotic devices.

Other Hoof Problems
Horses spend much of their time on their hooves, so it should come as no surprise that these important and complicated structures can suffer from a host of injuries and other problems. Check your horse’s hooves for sprung or shifted shoes, cracks, strange smells, or any other abnormalities after each time you ride him or he comes in from the pasture. If you find anything that looks like it might be a problem, contact your veterinarian or farrier.

Abscess
An abscess is an infectious pocket within a bodily cavity—in this case, within the hoof. Usually, this occurs after a foreign object, such as a nail or sharp stone, penetrates the hoof. If your horse has a hoof abscess, he will probably hold his leg up and be hesitant to put pressure on that foot due to the pain. Your veterinarian will open and drain the abscess; you will need to follow up with medication, poultices, soaking, or whatever else she prescribes.

Parasites
Horses, like any other animals who spend a lot of time outdoors, are often exposed to parasites. A wide range of parasitic organisms can afflict your horse, including ticks, lice, pinworms, tapeworms, roundworms, and lungworms. It is virtually impossible to remove all parasites from your horse; rather, you should seek to reduce his parasite load as much as possible.

Internal Parasites
Internal parasites (“endoparasites” to veterinarians) include a variety of worms that usually reside in the guts, although some may live in the lungs, liver, or other organs. Most of these parasites can be controlled through regular deworming as recommended by your equine vet. Additionally, reduce your horse’s exposure to possible sources of these pests by removing manure from paddocks and stalls frequently and by rotating and resting your pasture regularly.

External Parasites
External parasites (“exoparasites”) are bugs, worms, and other organisms that attach to your horse’s skin and feed on his blood. Ticks, lice, and pinworms are the most common types. If your horse is constantly rubbing his skin on objects (like he’s scratching an itch) and possibly losing hair, he likely has one of these bloodsuckers. Examine his mane and tail carefully for ticks, comb them out, and give your horse a thorough bath. Make sure that your regular deworming routine provides protection against pinworms. If you suspect lice, consult your veterinarian for proper treatment.

Tying Up
“Tying up” is one of many names for exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER); azoturia and Monday morning disease are some other common names for this syndrome, which can result in severe muscle damage or degeneration. There does not seem to be one definite cause for this problem. A sudden increase in a horse’s workload is always part of the cause, but other factors must exist along with the increased exertion to cause ER. These other factors include overfeeding grains, hard work after a long rest, mineral imbalances, selenium deficiency, vitamin E deficiency, hypothyroidism, wet or cold weather, and genetic predisposition. The signs of tying up are a stiff or stilted gait, soreness in the back or hind limbs, cramping, and reluctance to move. If your horse exhibits these signs, he needs immediate rest, and you must contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for treatment.

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Meet the Oldest Living Cat: Tiffany Two

The world’s oldest living cat, Tiffany Two, is turning 27 this March.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, her owner, Sharon Voorhees, named Tiffany Two in tribute to her previous tortoiseshell cat. Born on March 13, 1988 in San Diego, California, Tiffany Two’s many years are the equivalent of 125 human years.

She is in incredible health. Aside from occasional high-blood pressure issues, she is fit. She still has her vision, hearing, and is able to navigate the stairs of her home.

“She’s not afraid of anything or anyone. She walks right past the dogs, she’s very feisty!” Sharon said to Guinness, though she also added Tiffany is also a sweetheart who “loves to be petted.”

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Bringing a New Bird Home

So you are thinking about adopting a pet bird. Besides deciding which type of bird to get, there are many other considerations. How much of a commitment is this? Where will the bird live? Who will take care of a bird? What type of cost is involved? Should you get one bird or a pair?

Use this guide for tips on how to adopt a bird and what to expect once it is home.

Picking a Bird

Pet birds are typically sold individually or in pairs. If you buy a single bird, it is more likely to bond with you. When you buy two birds together, they will probably bond with each other, and you could be ignored. For this reason, my daughter adopted a single small parakeet, named Lemon for her solid yellow color. She bonded with the bird and was successful in some training. After a year, though, she purchased a second parakeet, white in color and so named Marshmallow. The two birds adore each other, and though Lemon has less interest in my daughter, she appears to be a happier bird over all.

Once you have decided which type of bird to adopt, visit a pet store and observe the appearance and behavior of the birds. Healthy birds will be active and alert. Examine the bird's feathers to make sure they are vibrant and clean. The eyes should be bright and free of discharge. The beak should be free of discharge as well. Typically, the pet store allows a two week return policy, so if the bird appears sickly or is just not a good fit, you can make the return.

Take some time to see how the birds act. Is the bird quiet and inactive, or noisy and climbing all over the cage? Smaller breeds will be more active in general, but observing the birds for a while may give you a better idea of their disposition.

Where Will You Keep the Bird?
When you purchase a bird, you will need to buy a cage and have somewhere safe to keep it. It will need to be out of direct sunlight and away from any type of draft. If you have other pets, the birdcage needs to be placed in a secure spot where it will not be disturbed by curious cats or dogs.

We like to keep our birds in a central area of the house - between the kitchen and breakfast room. When selecting a spot, remember that birds are noisy, messy and smelly! Though we clean the cage regularly, there always seems to be a bird smell, as well as little feathers and seed all over the place. Every morning, we change the newspaper-lined bottom of the cage and sweep away excess bird debris from the surrounding area with a small dustpan and brush.

Pet Bird Supplies
When you purchase a bird, the pet store staff will help you select the right cage and necessary bird supplies. The cost of a bird can range from $15 for a parakeet to hundreds of dollars for the larger parrots. Some basic supplies you will need are:

• cage
• food bowls
• toys
• mite/lice spray or container
• vitamins
• food
• Bird Care

When you adopt a bird, you need to be aware of the time commitment involved, and you need to decide who will care for the bird. Most birds love attention and will not do well if they are ignored. Finches and canaries are exceptions to that rule. They typically will not interact with you and do not like to be handled. These birds will be happy with other birds, so it is advisable to buy them in pairs or multiples.

To care for your pet bird, you will need to:

• change food and water daily
• keep cage clean
• keep cage free of mites (sprays or hanging containers can be used)
• give vitamins (can be sprinkled in food or water)
• train bird if desired
• cover at night
• take to an exotic vet if it gets sick
• give love and attention

Adding a Second Bird to the Cage

Introducing a New Bird

If you already have a bird and are thinking of adopting a new one, here are some things to consider.

• If you plan to keep the birds together, you will probably need a larger cage.
• Male + female = baby birds
• You may need a second set of food and water bowls, though some birds will share.
• You will go through more food.
• Another bird means more noise and mess!

When introducing a new bird, it is possible to have a bird that is territorial and will not be so accepting. You should place them in separate cages side by side for a week and then try to introduce the new bird into the big cage. If there seem to be any problems, you can separate them at night until they get used to each other.

Bringing a Pet Bird Home
Once you bring your bird home, don't be surprised if it is very quiet and inactive the first couple of days. It will need a little time to get used to its new surroundings. You may consider covering a portion of the cage to give it a place to hide and feel secure.

Life Span of Pet Birds
One thing to consider when picking a bird is its lifespan. Are you committed for ten years or 75? Smaller birds, like parakeets, may live to be about 10-15 years old, but some types of parrots may outlive you.


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