pet connection

I am sure The Pet Connection no-kill shelter in Mission, Kansas, is a wonderful operation. I certainly know they are very good at outreach, because it seems that everyone in the Kansas City metropolitan area knows about them, and picks up the phone to call them when it’s time to spay-neuter a pet.

Problem is, they sometimes call me instead.

Now, actually, that’s really not much of a problem at all. I tell people that we’re not that Pet Connection, tell them that I’m so pleased they’re making plans to take good care of their pets, and give them the correct information.

But now and then, I get someone who argues with me, which is very strange indeed. “But you advertised low-cost spay-neuter! You did! Now tell me the damn prices or I’m going to call the Better Business Bureau!”

Or the first thing in the morning call, which is a heckalot earlier in California, adjusting for time zones. The guy this morning seemed a little disappointed that I didn’t have the other Pet Connection’s phone number (913-671-PETS) on a pad by my bed, and wasn’t going to get out of bed to get it for him.

Small stuff, and actually I’m very happy that our like-named no-kill shelter is doing such great community outreach that the calls and e-mails that accidentally end up with me have grown a lot more frequent over the last year or so.

I guess the occasional 5:30 a.m. call is worth it, all things considered. And maybe I will start keeping that number by the bed. Or looking at my caller ID and ignoring calls from KC at 5:30 a.m.

Sharon L. Peters reports in USA Today that live-in pets are increasingly common at nursing homes and senior-living residences. That’s good news for all of us who can’t imagine life without companion animals, even in–we hope–the distant future when we can no longer live in our own homes.

“Dogs, cats and rabbits are roaming the halls, lounging about on common-area sofas and warming the beds at a growing number of residences and extended-care facilities. Most of the creatures are ‘resident pets’ or ‘community pets’ rescued from shelters to live in the facility full time and spread their love to all who reside there. Some are animals that residents brought with them.”

That baby kangaroo? She’s on loan from a breeder, who will reclaim her when she reaches adolescence and becomes too, er, bouncy for life in an institutional setting. Until then, she’s a great conversation starter, says Loren Shook, CEO of Silverado, which operates 17 senior facilities in three states. Read the rest here.

In another story, Peters reports that animal rescuers are on the tiptoe of expectation, awaiting permission to go in and check on animals that were left behind when people evacuated. The good news is that the situation isn’t anything like it was three years ago. Peters writes:

“Pet-friendly evacuation centers and public transportation were provided for those without the means to drive north, and residents who used their own vehicles to seek higher ground seemed less likely to leave animals behind.”

Gratuitous Cavalier blogging: We reached Seattle yesterday afternoon after a fun morning in Portland, which included breakfast at Voodoo Donuts, a walk in a beautiful rose garden–where we saw a Greyhound and a Golden puppy–and another walk through the Pearl District. Our first order of business here was to find a nearby potty spot, something that’s rare as hen’s teeth in downtown Seattle. We’re in luck, though; there’s a little park only a block away, so I think we’ll be fine. Harper has already met and been petted by all kinds of people, so she’s lovin’ it. And a pet store that carries the food they eat is only a mile walk away. I’m sorry I don’t have photos, but Jerry forgot the cable for his camera, so I’ll have to post them later.

Thank heavens Gustav wasn’t another Katrina, and that most everyone was properly prepared. And now Hanna has weakened … good news.

Wrapping up a few deadline items this morning offline. Will be back with more later this morning.

In the meantime, add your “good reading” links to the comments.

While I’m working … McKenzie is napping. My pets have it ruff.

People are definitely taking this seriously, with more than 2 million people — many with their pets! — away from the coast as the first bands of Hurricane Gustav approach. Not much we can do now, and from here, but we’ll continue to monitor and offer links to resources for those who want to help in any way they can.

First out of the box,  (hat tip to Al Tompkins at the Poynter Institute) bookmark this weather map from the Weather Underground. And the Gustav Information Center, here. (Twitter feeds: Poynter and Andy Carvin for the GIS.)

On the animal side, we’re watching Best Friends (Twitter feed here) and the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, among others.

We’ll add to this post throughout the day, and please add your contributions to the comments.