Remember the Kitten that Was Dyed Purple? He Has Befriended Wanda, a Blind Kitten that Also Resides at the Shelter

Back on January 1, 2016, I posted a story about a 2-month-old kitten that was dyed purple. You can read that post here:

Two-Month-Old Kitten Dyed Purple and Used as a Chew Toy fora Dog

He was named Smurf, and is now the Internet’s latest animal inspiration.

At just 1.75 pounds, the tiny cat was found in a box on the side of the road running a temperature of 105. Smurf, who was brought to the San Jose Animal Care Center and taken to the Nine Lives Foundation in Redwood City, California to recover, had been dyed purple and showed apparent signs of abuse in the form of bite wounds and gashes.

"I believe that, for someone's amusement, this kitten was used as a chew toy for their dog,” Dr. Monica Rudiger of the Nine Lives Foundation told ABC News.

Though Smurf has experienced an extremely difficult few weeks, he’s not letting his journey discourage him. It's clear that this small kitten has a big personality, which he has used to befriend Wanda, a blind kitten that also resides at the shelter.

The resilient felines have developed a touching bond, which includes giving each other body massages and baths. In fact, the foundation shared that Wanda has even taken on a purple hue from snuggling with Smurf. Talk about a purr-fect pair!

While Rudiger appreciates that Smurf’s tale of survival going is going viral, she shared with CNN, “...I hope the message is long-lasting that animal cruelty is real and this is just one guy who's experienced it.”

                                             Smurf the cat with doctors.

A good Sunday morning to everyone! SMURF is bright eyed today & eating like a champ! SMURF and his blind roommate WANDA...
Posted by Nine Lives Foundation on Sunday, January 3, 2016

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Across the Nation, a Small Army of Animal Dummies Have Been Deployed to Catch People Who Hunt in the Wrong Place

Two men in Maryland recently achieved Internet infamy when they were temporarily banned from hunting after they’d used crossbows to shoot a deer on state land.

Or so they thought.

The men had actually fallen prey to the ruse of a state-owned robotic deer, one of a growing number of remote-controlled decoys being used by American wildlife law enforcement to stop poachers. Across the nation, a small army of deer, elk, bear, turkey, fox and wolf dummies has been deployed to catch people who hunt in the wrong place, in the wrong season or otherwise illegally.

Here’s how it works: Officers truck a robo-animal out into the wild and stage it in an area where they’ve been tipped off about illegal hunting. Then the officers sit out of sight – in a truck, or maybe crouching in bushes – and use a remote to move the animal’s head, tail or legs.

Think you know enough? Skip down to a quiz to find out whether you can spot a robo-animal.

Demand for the decoys is huge, said Jim Reed of the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust, which donates them to anti-poaching agencies. Game wardens are chronically underfunded, he said, and robo-wildlife is pricey: A deer costs about $2,000; a black bear, up to $5,000. Wardens also are busy – the Humane Society says hunters kill at least as many animals illegally as legally.

The decoys look so alive because, well, they once were, said Brian Wolslegel, owner of the Wisconsin-based Custom Robotic Wildlife. Wolslegel — who does not hunt but instead raises deer in his backyard – makes the dummies out of hides acquired legally from hunters, game wardens or online. (You, too, can purchase a bear hide at taxidermy.net.)

Each year he sells as many as 100 whitetail deer, by far his most popular item. Officers, he said, tell him they make as much as $30,000 in fines off each fake animal.

“To have a poacher, a wild animal and a law enforcement officer at the same scene, it’s like winning the lottery,” he said. And then if the poacher is caught, “the animal already died in the process.”

Robo-wildlife, it turns out, are pretty hard to kill. If a bullet busts the motor, it’s replaceable, Wolslegel said. And most have a Styrofoam core, so a high-powered rifle shot passes through “with minimal damage,” Reed said. In fact, he said, some of the most realistic-looking decoys have been shot 100 times or more.

“The typical deer in the forest is not going to appear well-groomed. It may have a little mud stuck on its back, some hairs ruffled from the wind,” Reed said. The best decoys, he said, “get well-seasoned.”

Think you’re more observant than a poacher? Take this quiz to find out if you can tell a robo-animal from a live animal.

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Adorable Dog Name Battleship Looking for His Forever Home – Please Share His Story

Sharing from Umbrella of Hope:

“For the...soul is virtually indestructible, and its ability to rise from the ashes remains as long as the body draws breath.”

― Alice Miller

Sometimes the dogs we take into our rescue have every reason to be mean or shy or unsure of people. Sometimes they have been failed so many times for so long no one would fault them for having trust issues with us.

Battleship has EVERY reason to be shy, scared and aloof. As shown in the 4th picture below, he was allowed to live in SQUALOR. His fur was so matted and full of trash, it was pulling sores on his skin. It had been a LONG time since he had been properly groomed or even bathed. He had not seen a vet in a long time. He had a skin condition and rotting teeth.

But Battleship LOVES people. He is sweet and gentle and good. He loves to cuddle and he loves to give kisses. He is a gentleman and knows his house, leash and crate manners. He is good with kids and all other animals. He is a perfect dog and he holds no grudges. He is so thankful to be clean and groomed and have clean teeth and a warm place to sleep. He has risen above his past.

This 13-year-old, 20 lb Poodle will require a very special home who does not mind that he can't see very well and that he takes daily medication. He will be on medicated shampoo for the next month or so until his hair grows back in but he is not contagious and he LOVES baths. He really needs your help to help him find a forever family to love him throughout his senior years who will give him the life he deserves -- the life that matches his wonderful attitude.

Please email us at beourpet@gmail.com to set up a time to meet him. Or help us get him seen by more people.

‪#‎battleshipthepoodle, ‪#‎startastoryadopt, ‪#‎seniorpetsrock, ‪#‎shelterpetlove, ‪#‎seniordogsrock

Website: Umbrella of Hope

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Service Dog Etiquette: When a Service Dog Has a Vest on in Public with Its Disabled Handler, it is Working

When a Service Dog has a vest on or is in public with its disabled handler (or trainer), it is working, even if it appears as though it is not. Distracting a Service Dog by making noises, offering food, water, toys or petting may be dangerous to the dog’s disabled handler, especially if the dog is a medical alert dog or brace/mobility support dog. Many handlers have “invisible disabilities,” such as diabetes, hearing loss or other symptoms not readily apparent and if a Service Dog is paying attention to someone who’s distracting her, she’s not doing her job for her handler.

How to Behave Around a Service Dog

Service dogs are all around us and this is truly a wonderful thing. They can help people to open and close doors, retrieve dropped items from the floor, walk across the street, and retrieve medication from a refrigerator, as well as a variety of other tasks. Each dog is tailor trained to meet the specific needs of their handler. And yet many of us still do not know how to properly interact with these fascinatingly furry helpers. Here are six etiquette tips to remember the next time you encounter a service dog.

Speaking to the Service Dog Team

That's right, the service dog and its handler are a team. And should you want to approach a service dog team, please speak to the person first. Speaking, touching, or making rude noises to the dog may only confuse him or her.

Petting the Service Dog

It may be tempting to pet or touch the service dog, but only do so after receiving permission from the dog's handler. Moreover, don't be insulted if your request is denied. Releasing the dog in order to greet you may distract his or her attentiveness to the handler.

Feeding the Service Dog

Do not offer a service dog food or dog treats. Even though service dogs are trained to ignore food on the ground and not beg for treats, your offerings may serve as a distraction for the dog. Besides, you can't be sure that the dog food or treat you are offering will not inadvertently cause the dog to become sick.

Interactions with Your Dog

If you have a dog with you, do not let him or her approach the service dog without first consulting with the handler. This can distract the service dog and, despite his or her training, may lead to an unwanted altercation between the animals.

Asking Personal Questions

Asking the handler about his or her disability is impolite and an intrusion of privacy. You should also never assume an animal is not a service dog if he or she does not wear a vest, patch, or any other item that would identify the dog as a service dog. This is not required by U.S. federal law.

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The Boston City Council Unanimously Approved a Ban Wednesday on Pet Stores Selling Animals from Commercial Breeders

The Boston City Council unanimously approved a ban Wednesday on pet stores selling dogs, cats, or rabbits from commercial breeders in an attempt to prevent the sale of animals bred in unsafe conditions.

The ordinance, dubbed the “puppy mill bill,” was signed into law by Mayor Martin J. Walsh and will apply to stores in Boston, according to an administration spokeswoman, Bonnie McGilpin.

There are no pet stores in the city that sell puppies or kittens from commercial breeders, according to Councilor Matt O’Malley of Jamaica Plain, who proposed the initiative. But at least one chain of pet stores that sells commercially bred animals wanted to expand in the city, O’Malley said.

There are no pet stores in the city that sell puppies or kittens from commercial breeders, according to Councilor Matt O’Malley of Jamaica Plain, who proposed the initiative. But at least one chain of pet stores that sells commercially bred animals wanted to expand in the city, O’Malley said.

“This is a very important piece of legislation that goes after the inhumane factories known as puppy mills,” O’Malley said. “It will also prohibit the sale of dogs on the street corner or in parking lots.”

A similar ban has been enacted in more than 120 other cities, including Chicago and Los Angeles, O’Malley said.

In Boston, pet shops can still work with animal shelters or rescue agencies to help customers adopt pets. People can also purchase animals directly from breeders.

The ordinance will make one exception, for Jim Gentile, owner of the Pet Shop in Allston. Gentile will be allowed to continue breeding rabbits until 2017. He did not immediately return a phone message Wednesday seeking comment.

Last month, Gentile told the Globe the ban would “drive a business out of the city of Boston.”

“The reason I’ve been around [so long] is that I sell animals, and I’m good at it,” said Gentile, who has owned the shop 41 years.

Animal rights activists hailed the vote as a victory.

“We’re really excited that Boston continues to be a leader in animal protection,” said Kara Holmquist, director of advocacy for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

  

City of Boston Ordinance on Pet Shop and Roadside sales

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Adorable Video of Dog Walking Same Pace as Owner Using a Walker

When it comes to going out on walks dogs get super excited. Most of them just want to run out the door and while some dog are very well leash-trained and walk perfectly next to their owners, some others just drag us down the block.

The dog in this video loves to go on walks, but we think what he enjoys the most is walking with his best friend. His owner is an elderly man who uses a walker and as you can see he doesn’t walk at a fast pace. This doesn’t bother the dog, he walks ahead, sniffs around and always looks back to check on his best friend. How adorable!

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See the Effects on a Dog After Ingesting Medical Marijuana

A poor pooch was stoned after it ate a Rice Krispy treat made with marijuana.

The Siberian Husky couldn’t get his tongue back in his mouth or stand on his own.

Videos of similarly stoned dogs have been posted on YouTube and show what happens when dogs accidently eat food laced with pot.

Now that medical marijuana is legal in 23 states, pot-infused edibles are more common than ever and scenarios with dogs getting high are also more common.

No one knows that better than Sam Smeltzer, whose 10-year-old dog, Rasko, ate some of Sam’s medical marijuana-infused coconut oil that dripped on the floor.

He told Inside Edition: “Suddenly I hear licking, and I was like ‘Oh no!’”

After about an hour, Rasko was stoned and stumbling around.

Veterinarian Dr. Jeff Werber says if your dog ingests pot, call your vet because there's a good chance they overdid it.

“They're not going (to) look at the plate of brownies and say: ‘Let me see, I think I should only have one.’ They're all gone, and that's the problem. They don't know when to say ‘enough.’”

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Central Florida Family Shocked When They Discovered an Alligator in Their Swimming Pool

A Central Florida family experienced quite the shock when they discovered an alligator in their backyard swimming pool.

The Lakeland homeowner got home around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and went out to his backyard, where he noticed bubbles coming up to the surface of the water, according to Craig Lear.

When he realized a gator was in the pool, he called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Lear said. They sent a trapper to safely remove it.

The home is located on Osprey Landing Drive in the Eagle Brooke Golf Course subdivision.

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