pet connection

You may have heard about the annual Pride Parade held last week in San Francisco. You probably didn’t hear about this confrontation between our friends at BadRap and some PETA representatives who happened to be on the adjacent float. It has to be a little bit strange to hear a person who’s allegedly a staunch supporter of animals arguing loudly about how the two peaceful, happy dogs you’re sitting with should be killed.  OK, not “strange,” exactly, but this is a public forum, and that’s the best word I can use without getting in trouble.

Fortunately, the dogs had perfect manners, even if the PETA fanatics didn’t.

Must read commentary from KC Dog: In my most recent news wrap, I pointed you to a post by Nathan Winograd where he vented his disappointment with Best Friends’ refusal to support Oreo’s Law’s passage in New York.  Since then the fallout from Oreo’s Law has reverberated around pet blogs.   I think the best, most rational post summing up the whole affair can be found over at KC Dog Blog.   I usually tell you he’s worth reading, but this one puts a tangled story into crystal clear context. Ultimately, it all comes down to this:

I want to say, I’m all for everyone being on the same page when it comes to creating new laws — it is certainly helpful that way. But if recent history has told us anything, sometimes the national organizations need to be dragged along to new ways of thinking. It wasn’t because of collaboration that HSUS began supporting TNR programs or deciding that all dogs from fight busts should NOT be immediately killed. Oh sure, EVENTUALLY they got there through collaboration, but only after loud public outcry.

At some point we cannot let the organizations with the money and the big names continue to dictate animal welfare policies (or in this case) hold back a progressive one.

At some point you have to just push for what is right — regardless of who agrees with you. And while collaboration is always preferred, we can’t wait around forever, forgoing solid policies while animals die in uncooperative shelters because one organization’s feelings were hurt and doesn’t want to go along with it.

Incredible rescue in an Arizona canyon: From MSNBC, a video that I had to watch a couple times to believe….

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I’m not sure what’s more amazing — that the rescue took place at all, or that it was captured on camera.  Thanks to Patti S. for the link.

All hail the humble Epsom Salt: Before sitting down to compose this post, I took Cami and Harry on a long walk through tough, hilly wooded trails on a blazing hot day. On our walk, we came across a big golden retriever who looked like her paws were sore (as well as being hot and tired). She wanted a rest in the shade.  Had I read this post from our BFF Dr. Patty Khuly’s Fully Vetted blog beforehand, I could have offered her owner a solution when they got home: soaking the tired tootsies in a bath of Epsom Salt. In this gotta-get-the-newest-thing era, we oftentimes forget the oldest cures can still be the best.

Heavy petting in Osaka: As of a few years ago, Osaka, Japan, had a population of 8.8 million people.  A sizable percentage live in apartments where cats aren’t allowed, so how do they get their fix of quality kitteh time?

This cafe, highlighted in a Time Magazine video piece.  Just like hotels in the United States where you can rent a dog, this is simply brilliant. Furry snuggles for those who can’t have a pet full-time!   If I were a cat fancier in Osaka, I’d be at this place every day.

Portraits for the neediest: Mary Swift is highlighted in a Baltimore Sun article.  She’s a photographer who makes terrific portraits of pets waiting for adoptions at shelters.   How could you possibly resist this face? You can’t, right?  That’s the idea. Hey, I’m a dog person and I’m smitten.

Three-legged dogs aid robotics: It’s not unusual to encounter a 3-legged dog who can run faster (much faster, sometimes) than their four-legged counterparts.  I have no idea how that’s possible, but scientists in England are trying to get at the bottom of that exact question: how do dogs who’ve lost a limb compensate so well? According to the BBC, they want the answer because it will help them build better robots.

I always like to hear from readers, especially if you have tips, and links for interesting stories.  Give me a shout in the comments, or better yet, send me an e-mail.

Photo credits:  Top Hat, BadRap. Tulip, Mary Swift Photography.