We're just catching up with the proposed bill, called the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act, but thought you'd like to know.

A Michigan Republican, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, has introduced a bill that would allow the deduction of up to $3,500 on federal taxes for "qualified pets."

It defines "qualified pet" as "legally owned, domesticated, and live animals" and says qualified care would include vet care.

The bill justifies the proposed deduction by noting that the human-animal bond "has been shown to have positive effects upon people's emotions and physical well-being."

Fifty-eight percent of pet owners — 63 percent of dog owners and 53 percent of cat owners — would be at least somewhat likely to perform CPR on their pet in the event of a medical emergency, according to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll.

Tammy Parks, 52, of Amherst, Mass., has taken a pet first aid class and wouldn't hesitate to help her 15-year-old mixed breed terriers, Lucy and Julia, or her white fronted Amazon parrot Koko.

"It's not rocket science. The mechanics are the same as humans," said Parks, who was an American Red Cross first aid trainer. "Size is the biggest difference."

In general, though, the poll found few pet owners are prepared to handle pet emergencies. Just 20 percent of pet owners have a pet first aid kit in their home, and 54 percent do not have a fire evacuation plan for their pets.

And the survey revealed frequent reporting of dangerous practices that can lead to accidents and injuries. For example, a quarter of pet owners, including 30 percent of dog owners and 22 percent of cat owners, give their pets bones from table scraps, at least sometimes.

Sixty-two percent of dog owners and a third of cat owners let their pets ride in their cars unrestrained, rather than placing them in a special pet carrier. And 11 percent of pet owners sometimes leave their pets unattended in a car or truck.

Still, most pet owners said they would go the extra mile to rescue their pets. Women were more likely to say they would perform CPR on their pets than men, 65 percent to 50 percent, the poll showed.

Nearly every decision made at the Parks house is made with the safety of the animals in mind.

"We don't use pesticide on the lawn. We don't buy food with pesticide on it. No sugar, no salt, just natural nuts and fruits. No Teflon in the house, no smoking, no air fresheners, no aerosol products," she said, explaining that any one of those things could kill their 7-year-old bird.

Barbara Klingman of Houma, La., said she changed things after her Chihuahua, Honeychild, ate something that forced an emergency trip to the vet.

"I make sure she doesn't have anything she shouldn't have," Klingman said of the 7-pound, 4-year-old dog.

The poll showed 7 percent of those polled have pets who have eaten something poisonous and 16 percent have pets who have had allergic reactions to something.

There were also threats from pets themselves: 17 percent reported having a pet bitten or attacked by another animal, 9 percent said a pet had bitten or attacked another animal and 5 percent said a pet had bitten or attacked another person.

The poll revealed that 41 percent have experienced at least one pet safety emergency that required an emergency trip to a vet and 11 percent have had a pet hit by a car.

Edwin Griffin Jr., 61, of Plano, Texas, remembers all too well 25 years ago when his white German shepherd ran in front of a car. The dog broke both hips and his jaw, lost an eye and was in intensive care at an animal hospital for two weeks.

"I had just lost my wife the month before. My children were 1 and 3. I mortgaged the car to save my dog because of the impact it would have had on the children," he said.

The dog lived six more years.

Now Buddy, Griffin's 3-year-old golden retriever, has a first aid kit, a carbon monoxide alarm in the room where he sleeps and several designated escape routes for emergencies. But it's Buddy who's come to the rescue of humans in his home, especially Griffin's father-in-law, who is in the final stages of pancreatic cancer.

"My wife's father gets a great deal of relief from being able to touch and rub Buddy. Buddy just stands beside him. He knows that is his role," Griffin said.

Pet safety and CPR training is offered by the American Red Cross and many private companies. "Vets are the experts but they are rarely on scene when something happens to our pets," said Denise Fleck, who runs Sunny-Dog Ink in Burbank and has written pet safety textbooks, appeared on a number of TV shows and taught classes throughout Southern California.

Disaster plans are important, too, especially in areas like Southern California that are at the mercy of earthquakes and fires.

"If people value their pets like a family member, they should know how to do CPR, just like they would for their kids. In disasters, pets get hurt and run into debris and all kinds of things," said Mark Solnick, director of emergency preparedness and response for the Red Cross of Santa Monica.

Laurie Sullivan, 47, of Littlerock, Calif., has three dogs (Elsa Ann, Hope and Schotzie), an Arabian horse (Cary) and 19 cats. She has tended to a wide variety of emergencies over the years. Lucky for her menagerie, she was a certified emergency medical technician and a hospital worker.

She was there to help when one of her dogs choked on a small bone, when one of her cats had a hard time delivering eight kittens, when a neighbor lost the tip of her finger to a horse and for countless everyday cuts, scrapes and bruises.

She has never had to use CPR on an animal, but she knows how to. However, "it would really be hard to give CPR to a horse," she laughed.

(The AP-Petside.com poll was conducted Oct. 1-5, 2009, by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media. It involved telephone interviews on landline and cell phones with 1,166 pet owners nationwide, and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 2.9 percentage points for all pet owners.)

“It’s with a heavy heart that I report this news. Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed Assemblyman Pedro Nava’s anti puppy mill legislation, AB 241 the Responsible Breeder Act, this afternoon. This is obviously a cop out for his special interest friends. AB 241 did absolutely nothing to hamper raising service and assistance dogs, nothing! The Governor's behavior in Sacramento right now is really inexcusable. He is crippling our state, impeding progress and has hurt many people and animals in the process.Thank you for your dedicated support. We can only hope for a brighter future for our state once he is out of office.” - Judie Mancuso, President of Social Compassion In Legislation (SCIL)

Governor Veto’s Anti- Pet Bills
---agrees with PetPAC.

PetPAC, along with California Federation of Dog Clubs, and We The People Pets, opposed AB 241, AB 243 and AB1122. This is in addition to our fight to stop SB 250, the mandatory spay and neuter bill. Bill Hemby speaking for PetPAC and CFoDC and Diane Amble speaking for We The People Pets, attended every one of the hearings of each of these anti-pet bills and testified against them.

AB 241 set a cap of 50 intact adult dogs and cats that could be owned or possessed by an individual and a business. But AB 241 wasn't about 50 dogs or cats, it was about making that number of animals a violation of animal cruelty law, regardless of the condition of the animals. It was about confiscating all of your dogs under the cruelty laws; it was about HSUS' vow to reduce that cap every year. In Tennessee the cap has been reduced to 20 dogs. AB 241 was about making it a crime if someone even counsels you if you have been charged with this violation---like your attorney. The bill would have affected businesses such as Boarding Kennels, K9 purveyors, Guide dog facilities, etc. In his veto message, Governor Schwarzenegger pointedly wrote that the number 50 was arbitrary. he also alluded to making criminals of law abiding dog owners. That is exactly what PetPAC testified to during the session.

“I am returning Assembly Bill 241 without my signature.
This measure would make it a crime for any person or entity to own or control more than 50 unsterilized adult dogs or cats for breeding or raising for sale as pets. I support measures designed to prevent animal cruelty and that punish persons engaged in the abuse of animals. However, this measure simply goes too far in an attempt to address the serious problem of puppy mills. An arbitrary cap on the number of animals any entity can possess throughout the state will not end unlawful, inhumane breeding practices.
Instead this measure has the potential to criminalize the lawful activities of reputable breeders, pet stores, kennels, and charitable organizations engaged in raising service and assistance dogs.
For these reasons, I am unable to sign this bill.”
Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger

AB 243: Is about animal cruelty, but it allows all of your dogs to be confiscated regardless if you are acquitted of any crime; it allows them to never return your animals even if you are not charged, that’s right, not even charged, arrested or convicted of animal cruelty. The governor rightfully pointed out that existing law already allows for a court to confiscate animals under conviction, and AB 243 went well beyond proper judicial law.

“To the Members of the California State Assembly:
I am returning Assembly Bill 243 without my signature.
This bill would require a judge to make an order prohibiting a person convicted of specified animal-related crimes from owning, possessing, or caring for any animals for a minimum period of time. This measure is unnecessary. Judges already have the discretion to enter an order forbidding persons from caring for animals if it’s warranted. Making this order mandatory could unjustly impact individuals who make a living working with or caring for animals. Consequently, I am unable to sign this bill.”

Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger

AB 1122 prohibited selling, or giving away any live animal on a public street or right or way, parking lot etc. You will notice, all dog shows are in city or county fairgrounds. The roads in those fair grounds are public right of ways, public streets. That is where we set up for the shows. If we set up in the show parking lot, that is prohibited too. Have you ever delivered a puppy or dog to someone who lives far away, so you meet them "half way". Usually its at a coffee shop parking lot. Right? Illegal! Meet at a public park to sell a puppy? Illegal! Under AB 1122 the selling wasn't illegal, it was the location. The penalty was animal cruelty. All of the above would apply.

“I am returning Assembly Bill 1122 without my signature.
I am concerned with the scope and unintended consequences of this bill and that it does not assure the humane and ethical treatment and welfare of animals. This bill has unknown costs associated with the enforcement and implementation of prohibiting the sale of live animals in specified venues and could drive the selling of animals underground or to private sites.
For this reason I am unable to sign this bill.”

Sincerely,
Arnold Schwarzenegger

First, Judge Simpson held that there was no rational basis why owners of unaltered dogs should be treated differently than the owners of altered dogs. This declared the part of the ordinance that required owners of unaltered dogs to get the Director’s written approval for those dogs’ enclosures (owners of altered dogs did not have such a requirement) as an unconstitutional violation of Equal Protection and Substantive Due Process.

Reiterating another court’s earlier decision that recognized that dogs are personal property, the judge further held Louisville’s seizure bond requirement as an unconstitutional violation of procedural due process rules. This requirement, which required anyone accused of animal cruelty to post bond for the care of their seized animals, would have resulted in the forfeiture of animals if they were not able to pay for the bond regardless of whether or not they were later determined to be innocent.

"We congratulate the Louisville Kennel Club and their co-plaintiffs on their leadership in opposing the Louisville ordinance," said Dennis Sprung, President and CEO of the American Kennel Club. "We are confident that this decision will encourage communities to consider the interests of responsible dog breeders and owners when making changes to their animal ordinances." For a copy of the ruling, please click here.

"We knew we were a beneficiary. We didn't know the value of the assets,” said George Dutton, a member of the animal shelter's board of directors.The Strongs' generosity will allow for construction of a new animal shelter in Healdsburg to replace a facility more than a half-century old."The community likes having a local animal shelter," said Healdsburg City Councilman Gary Plass. "There's always been the value of trying to keep it local."The state-of-the-art building is planned across the road from the existing concrete block shelter on Westside Road, next to the city's corporation yard.Construction is scheduled to begin in June for the 4,500-square-foot shelter and it will be ready for occupancy by the end of 2010.

The Strongs had no siblings and no children. Charlotte Strong used to say that the three things she loved most in life were her husband, her dogs and cooking, according to her obituary in The Press Democrat.

For decades, she was passionate about dog shows and showed old English mastiffs, huge dogs that can weigh 180 pounds. She also organized dog shows and judged for the American Kennel Club.

The city council voted last week to approve an arrangement that will allow the new shelter to get city water and sewer services, even though it is outside the urban growth boundary.The Healdsburg Animal Shelter is buying the 3.7 acres on an old quarry site next to Dry Creek for $750,000 with escrow expected to be completed next month.The shelter will then deed the parcel to the city, making it quasi-municipal property. In turn, the city will lease back the property at $1 a year to the shelter, for 55 years.That allows the shelter to qualify for utilities, but there are restrictions against it being converted to other uses in the future.

A large wine warehouse and tasting rooms that are being developed at the same time on adjacent property under county zoning regulations are precluded from receiving city utilities.The new shelter has not yet been designed, but directors want to have a play area for the dogs to run free and exercise, so they are not kept in cages the entire time as they are in the current shelter.

The plan is also to have a place where people who want to adopt an animal can visit with a dog or cat before making a decision."People coming to get an animal can interact with the animal, not see 20 barking dogs in cages, or 25 cats in one room," said Dutton. "They can have a one-on-one situation, get to know pets and make a better, more informed selection."

Animal shelter directors want to supplement the gift from the Strongs with a fund-raising effort to cover all the cost of the $3 million project and an endowment for sustained animal care.Donations from the Healdsburg community now cover more than half of the shelter's budget of about $400,000.The city also pays $122,000 annually to the shelter to provide animal control services within city limits.

The shelter handles about 500 animals annually, mostly dogs and cats, and the occasional snake or rabbit.

"We do everything we can to get animals into a good home," said Dutton, adding that the shelter has a 'no kill' policy and even takes animal from other shelters if they are in danger of being euthanized.

City officials in the past have considered contracting animal control services to the county, or Humane Society, but stuck with the Healdsburg Animal Shelter.

Pets play an important role in the lives of the people who love them. We get great pleasure from them, and they depend on us for love and daily care. So what happens if your pet outlives you?

Who will keep it in the loving atmosphere you created for him?

Who will make sure it is fed her favorite food?

Who will take it to the vet and ensure it gets special treatment and care if needed?

Who will take it for a walk and out for play dates?

Will it end up being taken to animal control and euthanized because nobody adopted him?

Sadly, most people have not thought much about the fate of their pets in the event of a tragedy. For once-loved pets, the results can be sad and painful. Here at Nevada Humane Society and other animal shelters, a steady flow of pets come in whose owners have died.
If a pet owner has not made arrangements for the care of their pet, the pet is at risk of becoming homeless, and sadly for some, that ends in death. Assuming that friends or relatives will step in to provide a home for your pet puts your pet in danger.

By making arrangements in advance and putting these in writing, you can protect your pet from an uncertain future.
The most reliable method to provide for a pet that outlives you is to create an enforceable trust that will require distributions to a designated human beneficiary to cover the pet's expenses while at the same time requiring the beneficiary to take proper care of the pet.

You will need a lawyer to assist you in drafting the trust, as pets are not allowed legal standing. So selecting the right human beneficiary and a lawyer who can help ensure that your plans are carried out are the two most important decisions you will make to safeguard the well-being of your pet into the future.

Another option is finding an animal sanctuary, shelter or pet retirement home and making that entity the designated beneficiary who will be responsible for the care of your pet. It is always wise to visit the facility in person to be sure that it meets your standards. You will also want to ask questions, including:

Will they adopt the pet out? What are their adoption policies?
Will they provide lifetime care in their facility?

What is their euthanasia policy?

What kind of daily care and veterinary care is provided?

How much individual human attention will the animal receive?

At Nevada Humane Society, we seek new homes for pets who are orphaned by their people and provide care until an appropriate home can be found. Other shelters have similar programs available; some organizations offer lifetime care in their facility, but do not do adoption. You will want to check out the various options and decide what is best for you and your pet.

If you select an individual, instead of an organization, you should name several alternate caretakers should your first choice be unable to serve for the duration of the pet's life. It is often a good idea to authorize the trustee to select a good home for the pet should none of the named individuals be willing or able to accept the animal.

The pet owner should compute the resources necessary to care for the animal. The animal's life expectancy, the standard of living the owner wishes to provide for the animal, and the need for potentially expensive medical treatment will be among the factors to consider.

You will also want to consider your individual pet's preferences. Particularly with older pets, finding a situation that will provide the pet with a good quality of life is important. Often, older cats or dogs find change stressful and adjustment to a new environment can be difficult for them. Finding a new person to care for older pets in a home environment is usually a far better option than life in even the nicest of facilities.

There are several wonderful resources available for pet owners who want to learn more about making plans in case their pets outlive them. A search online will turn up helpful Web sites and you may also want to read "When Your Pet Outlives You: Protecting Animal Companions After You Die" by David Congalton.

The most important thing is not to put off planning for your pet's future. After all, tomorrow isn't promised to any of us.

The culprit is a sweetener called xylitol. While you may never have heard of it, there's a good chance you have it in your house. Xylitol is common in sugarless gum and in sugar-free snacks, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Cases of xylitol poisoning in dogs have increased in recent years as the sweetener has been added to lots of new foods, Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, vice president of the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center, told Paw Nation. "There definitely has been an increase in the exposures of dogs to xylitol over the last several years, simply because there's more xylitol out there."

The chemical is completely safe for humans and most other animals, but in dogs, xylitol causes blood sugar levels to plummet. When blood sugar drops, Gwaltney-Brant says, "the brain isn't getting enough energy to do its job." After swallowing xylitol, dogs may vomit and become lethargic and disoriented. "If blood sugar drops low enough, they can have seizures," Gwaltney-Brant says. Without treatment, dogs can die.

That's not all. Dogs that eat a lot of xylitol can also suffer from liver damage. Researchers aren't sure what causes the liver problems, Gwaltney-Brant says, but the results can be grave.

A little xylitol goes a long way. Just two sticks of sugarless gum can be fatal for a 20-pound dog, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune, and a single sugar-free pudding cup can spell trouble for a 90-pound pooch. But those numbers can be misleading, Gwaltney-Brant cautions. Some brands of gum or candy contain no xylitol, while others contain relatively large amounts. Even within a single brand, the level of xylitol can vary from flavor to flavor and batch to batch, she says.

If you know or suspect your dog has gotten into foods that might contain xylitol, take him to the vet immediately, Gwaltney-Brant says. Problems from blood sugar levels dropping can occur quickly -- "often within 30 minutes to an hour," she notes. Vets can monitor blood sugar levels and start treatment to get blood sugar back up to safe levels.

If you're a fan of sugar-free products, check the labels to see whether they contain xylitol. And it should go without saying that you should do your best to keep Fido away from your gum. He can't blow bubbles anyway.

September 10, 2009                                                    Contact Sen. Dean Florez

Florez hopeful members will see true intent, move to save pets and tax dollars

SACRAMENTO – Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, D-Shafter, announced today that his measure to reduce pet overpopulation and needless euthanasia will be put on hold until January, as supporters use this “halftime” to engage in negotiations to garner the 13 votes necessary for passage in the California State Assembly.

Senate Bill 250, The Pet Responsibility Act, encourages pet owners to license their pets in an effort to reduce the $250 million spent in this state each year to house and kill unwanted pets in already overburdened local shelters. Owners who choose to keep an unaltered dog would need to obtain an unaltered license and abide by existing local animal control ordinances; licensing is already required for all dogs in the state. SB 250 also requires that cats which are allowed to roam freely be altered.

Florez is excited that SB 250 has made it further in the legislative process than previous attempts to encourage responsible pet ownership, some of which mandated spaying and neutering and usurped local control – measures he opposed. He is hopeful that additional time to clarify the bill’s intent and explain to members how it differs from past legislation will allow it to move forward to the Governor’s desk in January.

Exceptions have already been made in SB 250 for service dogs, hunting dogs and dogs working in law enforcement. The bill would not affect current law which protects owners from being cited at private events on private property, such as dog shows. Florez has pledged to continue working with members to address their concerns, so long as the intent of the bill remains intact.

“Opponents have falsely labeled this bill as mandatory spay and neuter, and many of the untruths being spread have given members pause. I look forward to sitting down with those members over the recess so the true intent of this bill can be made clear, and we can get to the business of improving life for our pets and saving taxpayers from the enormous expense of cleaning up after irresponsible folks who over-run our shelters with their cast-offs,” Florez said.

“No responsible pet owner has to worry that the ‘puppy police’ will come knocking at their door. No one is going to force you to get your dog fixed if it gets out of the yard once. This bill is a tool for local animal control to use in dealing with irresponsible pet owners whose chronic disregard for the law is taking a financial and emotional toll on taxpayers, pet lovers and shelter workers,” added Florez.

SB 250 passed the Senate by a vote of 21-16. It has 28 votes so far in the Assembly.

Raised dog feeders minimize the gulping of air, which decrease the incidence of bloat. Bloat is a very serious condition you do not want your dog to experience. For puppies or dogs diagnosed with a large esophagus, raised dog feeders are a necessity, despite bloat concerns. Keeping the animal's head level or slightly upturned is absolutely essential when feeding puppies with this condition.

Many experts agree that raised dog feeders are more comfortable for older and arthritic dogs. You should read all of the facts and draw your own conclusion, If you have a "gulper," you should place one or more large objects (too large to swallow, this will slow down your dog's eating thus preventing digestion and gulping issues, thereby decreasing the chances of bloat.

Whether or not you use raised dog feeders, bloat is very serious, and dogs can die very quickly from it. If you have a dog who's already had one experience, you should be even more careful as it is likely to repeat. Never take chances. If you suspect an episode, get him to your vet right away.

Serum Chemistry Profile

Sometimes called a “chem scan”, the Serum Chemistry File is an extensive battery of tests that provide a broad database to evaluate your dog's general health. These tests confirm the results of the physical examination and will provide you with early warning signs of unsuspected problems. Have your dog fast for at least 12 hours before this test, to ensure the best of accuracy with the results.

Urinalysis

A urinalysis test examines your dog's urine. This test will reveal the health of the genitourinary system. In addition, a urinalysis also reflects a variety of disease processes that involve other organs of the body.Fecal Analysis

The presents of parasites can be detected through the fecal analysis. Also, this test is sound for detecting the presence of undigested food particles which is an indicator that your dog's system is not able to break down and digest his food the way it should be.Complete Blood CountThe complete blood count, or CBC, is a very routine profile of tests used to describe both the quality and the quantity of the cells in your dog's blood.

Normal Blood Test Results

As you make these yearly physical and blood chemistry exams a routine part of your dog's care, it will provide valuable information for the future. They help establish normal levels for your dog and if there is any deviation from those levels, then your vet can be easily notified and institute prevention.

The level of what is “normal” is established by the laboratory. These values vary depending on what laboratory equipment is used. These norms are established by analyzing the blood of a certain number of dogs and then the average is used as a benchmark for current tests. This is why it is important to stay with one clinic for as long as you can, preferably for your dog's entire life span.

Dog owners who spend many a stormy night struggling to get some sleep while a panting, drooling, trembling pet climbs around on top of them know that the fear of thunder can be a tricky problem to solve.

Dogs with the condition often look to their owners for comfort, yet are in such a state of panic, they are inconsolable. And it can be hard to know how to soothe an upset dog without unwittingly reinforcing its anxiety.

Potential remedies include medication, desensitizing the dog to thunder and training it to retreat to a safe place when a storm hits. There is also canine "thunderwear" such as earmuffs, head halters and swaddling attire, including a snug leotard for animals called a sheep suit, that can help calm stressed-out dogs.

But there seems to be no single cause for the fear of thunder, and there also isn't any one guaranteed treatment, veterinarians who specialize in canine behavior say. Something that helps one dog might not help another; a method that works during one storm may not in another.

"Many dogs can be helped. But me, personally, I've never known of a dog that was cured of this problem," said Dr. Elizabeth Shull, a veterinary behaviorist and neurologist in Louisville, Tenn., and Southfield, Mich.While some breeds have more of a reputation for fear of loud sounds such as thunder, "it certainly is not limited to any breed, any age, or any sex of dog," Shull said.

Cracking thunderphobia's codeResearchers have yet to figure out exactly what's behind thunderphobia.

Among the theories: Some dogs may be genetically disposed to the problem; others may have learned to be afraid of storms after having a bad experience or seeing a person or dog in the household become anxious during a storm. Some may be anxious in other situations, such as when they are left alone; some may extend their fear of thunder to other aspects of a storm, such as rain and whistling winds; some may be acutely sensitive to any sudden, loud noise; some may fear thunder and no other sound.

Dogs' problems with thunder often do not become apparent until they are 4 or 5, said Dr. Victoria Lea Voith, a professor of animal behavior at the Western University of Health Sciences veterinary school in Pomona, Calif.

"So in the beginning, owners don't notice a real phobia, until the dog is older," said Voith, adding that it's unclear whether owners fail to notice a small amount of anxiety building over time, or whether the phobia didn't actually start until the dog was several years old.

The severity of a fearful dog's reaction can also vary. Some are mildly anxious. Some pant, quake, drool or become almost catatonic. In the most severe cases, dogs become frantic and hurt themselves breaking through windows, clawing through paneling or running into traffic if left alone during a thunderstorm.

"It's a sound that is coming from around and above and everywhere. It's a terrifying experience for a lot of animals who have a more sensitive temperament," said Dr. Michael Fox of Minneapolis, a veterinarian who writes the syndicated newspaper column "Animal Doctor."Static electricity's role

Fox suggests trying to desensitize the dog to thunder by playing a tape or CD with storm sounds: Switch it on for a few minutes and let the dog "freak out" for about a minute, then switch it off. Let the dog settle down. A few minutes later, switch it on again for another 30 to 60 seconds, then switch it off. Repeat it about five times at intervals of 10 minutes for four or five days, then repeat it a week or two later, he said, adding that the timing can be flexible.

More than just the noise of the storm may be at work. Fox and others theorize that other aspects of a thunderstorm, such as static electricity and changes in barometric pressure, may also disturb dogs.

That may explain why some dogs seem to detect storms before humans can, and why some dogs who panic when it thunders at home are just fine in the car, or retreat to the bathtub or shower when a storm hits, said Dr. Nicholas Dodman, a veterinarian and head of the animal behavior program at the Tufts University veterinary school in North Grafton, Mass.

"They're like a barometer. Some people think it's barometric pressure. I think it might be static electricity," Dodman said. "Dogs get charged with static electricity and seek places where they won't get charge."

Dodman experimented with two capes on dogs: one with an antistatic lining, the other without. Owners reported that both capes helped their dogs, though the cape with the lining seemed to help more, he said, adding that too few dogs were in the study to achieve statistical significance.

Treatment tips for scared dogsDodman suggests finding a safe place for the dog and training it to go there during storms, "almost like a bunker in a nuclear war." It could be a spot in the basement with the curtains drawn and lights on to mask lightning, a kennel with an open door and a comfortable dog bed in it, or a makeshift den in a closet with no windows.

The owner should initially stay with the dog and offer treats and training to reinforce the idea that it's a pleasant, safe place, Dodman said.Swaddling a dog can also help, calming it like a baby wrapped in a blanket. It can be as simple as wrapping the dog in a light blanket or towel. For a snugger fit, an animal leotard called a sheep suit — typically used on show animals to keep the coat tidy before competition — is an inexpensive option. Shull and Fox recommended an item called an Anxiety Wrap that comes in standard and custom-made versions.Other things to try include anti-anxiety medications, either alone or in combination. It's becoming increasingly common for veterinarians to prescribe the generic version of drugs such as Xanax or Prozac for anxious dogs.

The natural herb valerian — the herbal form of Valium — can also be effective, Fox said.

"The trouble is that it takes a good 20 minutes before it has effect, so you're going to be doping your animal before the big storm comes," Fox added.

Other tips:• Turn up the television or stereo to try to mute the sound of thunder.

• It may help the dog to be around calm dogs in the household.

• Don't scold the dog or discipline it when it's anxious.

• Let the dog stay close to you, but don't coddle it.

• Try to distract the dog with a fun activity and/or tasty treat, perhaps starting in overcast weather and gradually moving on to mild storms and then more severe storms, to get the dog to associate the weather with something good.

Allegations have been filed against the telemarketing operations of many police and firefighter groups, including the Law Enforcement Apprenticeship Program (LEAP) a group that Bill Hemby used to do work for, which involved educational training for disadvantaged youth. Mr. Hemby had no involvement with the telemarketing operations cited by Ms. Mancuso and has fully cooperated with the Attorney General’s office. No judgment of wrongdoing has been rendered against Mr. Hemby. In fact, Mr. Hemby’s actions have been and continue to be of the highest ethics and integrity of the laws in which he took an oath to uphold. He has received numerous awards for service to his community, including the highest award for merit from law enforcement for his life saving actions while putting his own life at risk in the line of duty.

Furthermore, PetPAC has NEVER been accused of any wrong doing by any government agency. Any attempt to imply otherwise is slanderous and libelous.

Judie Mancuso wishes to change the debate on the merits of Senate Bill 250 into personal attacks because she can’t tell the truth about the facts on SB 250. According to the State of California Department of Finance Analysis, SB 250 won’t work because “Mandatory spay and neuter provisions have failed throughout California at the local government level”. They also say more pets are likely to be killed (30% increase) in shelters if this passes. Finally, SB 250 will drain millions from the General Fund resulting in higher taxes.

By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAYBanfield, The Pet Hospital, the nation's largest network of animal hospitals, has announced it will no longer do tail docking, ear cropping or devocalization on dogs.

Headquartered in Portland, Ore., Banfield is the nation's largest general veterinary practice, with more than 730 hospitals and 2,000 veterinarians nationwide.

Devocalization, or de-barking, is a rare procedure and has long been controversial. It involves the full or partial removal of a dog's vocal chords to keep it from barking.

Tail docking and ear cropping, both quite common, have become more controversial over the past few years. Last year, the American Veterinary Medical Association passed

a resolution opposing ear cropping and tail docking of dogs, "when done solely for cosmetic purposes," and encouraging the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards.

Banfield has come out strongly against the procedures."After thoughtful consideration and reviewing medical research, we have determined it is in the best interest of the pets we treat, as well as the overall practice, to discontinue performing these unnecessary cosmetic procedures," says Karen Faunt, vice president for medical quality advancement. "It is our hope that this new medical protocol will help reduce, and eventually eliminate, these cosmetic procedures altogether."The hospitals will continue to carry out the surgeries on pets for which it is medically necessary, she says.

There have been numerous attempts in several states, most recently Illinois, New York and Vermont, to outlaw the practice of tail docking and ear cropping. The American Kennel Club has fought such laws.

In statements opposing them, the AKC says that "as prescribed in certain breed standards, (they) are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character, enhancing good health and preventing injuries," and that "any inference that these procedures are cosmetic and unnecessary is a severe mischaracterization that connotes a lack of respect and knowledge of history and the function of purebred dogs."

Gina Spadafori, an editor at the website PetConnection.com, says that tail docking is still fairly common, in part because it's done within days of birth. Ear cropping, which is generally done when the puppy is between 12 and 14 weeks old, is fading, in part because "people are not comfortable seeing their puppies taped up like that."Both docking and cropping have gone out of fashion in Europe, she says. In the USA, many breeders of show dogs "would happily stop doing it if they thought they could still win in the ring."

• Betty Francis •

• The desert's largest and most defiant summer event celebrated its 10th anniversary July 19 by breaking not only the traditional rules of summer fundraising, but also some of its own records.

Pets on Parade raised major funding for Pegasus Riding Academy for the Handicapped and for the Humane Society of the Desert by publishing a slick, professional, 136-page journal of animal photos with loving messages purchased by hundreds of doting pet owners.

Additional funding came from ticket sales ($45 each), a huge silent auction, vendor sales, a live auction, raffle tickets and sponsorships by Palm Springs Harley Davidson, Palm Springs Life Magazine, Electric Car Distributors, Four Seasons Resorts, KPSP-2 TV and Azteca America TV.

Additional sponsors included The Estate Jewelry Collection, Bones-N-Scones, The Grand Paw, Jensens Finest Foods, Vons Palm Springs and Prime Time Produce.

Among the records set:

Largest-ever summer turnout: More than 500 people and approximately 66 pets.

Largest net profit for the past three years: $50,000 to $60,000 divided by the two charities.

Hottest temperature for this event: A predicted 116 degrees.

Pets on Parade was held at the Doral Desert Princess Resort, which set its own record for speedy, attentive luncheon service.Nationally-known TV star Arden Moore, assisted by Lori Carmen, gave delightful advice on how to have peace in a multiple dog-and-cat family, including the suggestion, “Give your dogs their very best, favorite treats only when cats are in the room — the dogs will soon be saying, ‘Here, kitty, kitty.'” Moore also praised Pet Airways (Petairways.com), a rapidly expanding new airline providing deluxe, main-cabin service to pets traveling separately from their owners.

Chairwoman Robin Montgomery thanked co-chairwomen Pam Green and Malinda Bustos, president of the Humane Society, along with Albeth Paris Grass, Gena Grossman, Virginia Davis and Gloria Nelson for their months of dedicated work.

Volunteer host Dan McGrath (EZ103.1) did double duty this year when meteorologist Patrick Evans (KPSP-2) was forced to cancel due to “a weather emergency.” Other excused absentees were journal chairman Harold Matzner, who is summering on the east coast, and the event's creator, Lori Sarner, who is at her summer home in London.

Isabelle, a Portuguese water dog, stole the show by pulling the winning raffle tickets from a basket and giving her owner Jennifer Hamilton a high-five after each successful pull.

Among those hosting one or more tables were honorary chairwoman Jackie Lee Houston and her husband, Jim, both of whom were also lauded for spearheading the drive to build the new F.I.N.D food distribution center. Other table hosts included Neal Boden, Paul Anoble, Ed Marteka, Harriett Kay, Kathy Wade and Ken and Madelyn Hinsvark.

Celebrity guests included Emmy winner Lindsay Wagner and Grammy winner Roberta Linn.

Photo: SWNS.com Everyone can appreciate the conveniences of public transportation -- even a cat.

Susan Finden wasn't sure where her free-spirited kitty would disappear to every day until the local bus drivers in Plymouth, England revealed to her that Casper has been a regular on the No. 3 bus for the last four years! You read that right. Each morning, the Sun reports, Casper lines up with the paying passengers to await the 10:55 morning service. He takes a seat in the back and enjoys the 11-mile, round-trip route before hopping off to return home. The drivers watch out for the wandering feline and make sure he gets off at the right stop.

A spokesman for the bus company says they're happy to let the 12-year-old cat ride for free. After all, he said, "In cat years he's an OAP [Old Age Pensioner] so he'd get a free bus pass anyway."

Photo: MASONSNadya Suleman, eat your heart out!

Terrie, a four-year-old Rottweiler, recently gave birth to a litter of 18 puppies, besting the previous UK record by five. Sadly, two of the 18 didn't survive past the first day (one being a stillborn), but Terrie is getting by just fine with the help of her owner, Nicolette Morris of Luton, Beds, and Terrie's other 112-pound son, Jim (from a previous litter of nine).

Although the babies still haven't opened their eyes, 10 females and six males and are cooperatively nursing 1.5oz of milk every four hours and they have already doubled in size.

"I know Rottweilers have got a bad name," says Morris, "but I love the breed. I'd recommend them to anyone."

Morris took on the role of emergency midwife when Terrie went into labor at 12:50 p.m. on Sunday, July 26. "Terrie was absolutely huge before she gave birth but I never dreamt she would have so many," Morris told the Telegraph. "It was staggering. They just kept on coming. I began to wonder if she'd ever stop."

And while 18 is impressive, the Guinness World Records gives the title of largest litter of pups to a Neapolitan Mastiff in Manea, Cambs, who birthed 24 pups in January 2005.

Lily, a 6-week-old puppy, is set to get her fifth limb removed later this month. The extra limb, is the white paw she is resting on in the background. (ZT Pet News Photo Courtesy of Allyson Siegel)5-Legged Puppy Fetches $4K, Avoids Life in Freak Show: Sold to one of the nation's largest carnival shows in Coney Island, N.Y., a Chihuahua-mix puppy was saved by a stranger who made a $4,000 counter-offer to give the 6-week-old dog a forever, normal home.NEW YORK -- Born with five legs, one Chihuahua-mix puppy was heading straight to a freak show in Coney Island, N.Y., until a sympathetic stranger stepped forward two weeks ago with a $4,000 check, granting the 6-week-old dog a chance at an ordinary, domestic existence.

It’s lucky that no one realized the puppy, formerly known Precious, is also a hermaphrodite, according to her new owner, Allyson Siegel, 45. In that case, the dog would have surely fetched for a much higher -- and potentially unmatchable -- price, Siegel says.“You just have to think what could have happened to this puppy,” Siegel, of Charlotte, N.C., told ZT Pet News. “I’ve been to Coney Island, I’ve been to fairs as a kid, and I know what that is like. I couldn’t imagine that this cute little pup, just because she had an abnormality, would be considered a freak. I just didn’t think that was right thing to do.”Siegel has since renamed the puppy Lily, and has spent the last two weeks weaning her, while she considers what step to take next. Surgery to remove Lily’s leg will cost around $1,500, and additional surgeries to rectify her kidneys or bladder might be necessary, pending an ultrasound.

But Siegel -- who owns six cats and has never before had a dog -- says the price and hassle are moot points, as she has “absolutely fallen in love” with the young dog, regardless of its physical abnormalities.“We think she is a she, but if she becomes a he that is totally O.K.,” Siegel said. “I guess we could rename her Lionel. However she identifies herself will be just fine.”

Lily was born to Calvin Ownesby’s two dogs -- a Chihuahua and Wire-haired Terrier -- in June, among a litter of five. Owensby, of Gastonia, N.C., almost immediately noticed the puppy’s deformity, and after speaking with his veterinarian, learned that it would cost thousands to remove her extra limb.

Owensby, who has been unemployed since December 2008, realized he could not provide for the dog’s medical needs, and began to consider different offers as news of the unique dog spread.John Strong, of John Strong’s Shows, the largest collection of oddities and circus-like attractions in the country, offered Owensby $3,000 for the dog, and granted him $1,000 upfront.

Struggling to make ends meet, Owensby agreed to give the dog to Strong, under the premise that she would receive a good home.“He told me that he was running a farm-like attraction, that there are a lot of animals there and that she would have a nice life,” Owensby explained. “I didn’t realize it was a freak show.”

The Gaston Gazette, a local newspaper, reported Owensby’s sales negotiation and included his home number in the article, advising readers to catch a glimpse of the puppy before she left for New York City. Owensby was flooded with calls following the article’s June 30 publication, mainly from citizens concerned about the dog’s future in show business.

Siegel was one of the callers; she pitched an offer, she says, that she knew Owensby could not refuse.“I called him and said this obviously is about money,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that it had to come down to that, but it did. He told me that the freak show offered him $3,000, so I said, O.K., I’ll give you $4,000.”

A full-time student now receiving her master’s degree in counseling, Siegel remains on a tight budget, as she also works full-time in a sales position.

“This wasn’t anything that I had planned for, but I just knew that I had to cut ends in order to make this work,” Siegel explained. “I can get another vacation, but this puppy can’t.”

Lily’s fifth limb extends from her pelvic region, and while doctors can’t fully account for its appearance, they think she may have absorbed another canine fetus while in the womb. She can’t feel the leg, Siegel says, though it is growing at an increasingly rapid rate; its presence prohibits her from walking without falling down every two steps.

She is set to have surgery on her leg July 25; the Animal League in Gatson County, N.C., has helped garner public donations for the procedure, raising approximately $1,300 to date.

The dog’s ambiguous sexual genitalia does not appear to bother her, Siegel says, though it may present internal complications in her kidneys or bladder; an ultrasound is scheduled for the end of July, after which veterinarians will be better equipped to consider what should come next for the unusual puppy.

In the meanwhile, Siegel is focusing on raising Lily to enjoy life like any other domestic dog should, playing with toys and snuggling up in bed at nighttime.

“The fifth leg is growing quicker than the rest of her body and I really just want to get that removed, so she can get on a track to have a normal dog’s life, which I think she can have with me,” Siegel said. “The sooner, the better. I just want the best for her.”To donate money for Lily’s medical costs, contact the Animal League of Gatson County at 704-718-HOPE or info@algc.us.

Photo: St. Petersburg Times / ZUMA Press Do you believe in canine guardian angels and the kindness of strangers? You just might after reading this story.

Early one morning, Yolanda Segovia's neighbor, Stacey Savige, knocked on her door and asked her to temporarily take in a stray dog she had found. The scruffy terrier mix had no collar or microchip. Segovia eyed the pooch -- burrs sticking to his belly and mud caking his fur -- and reluctantly agreed to foster him for the day.

An erstwhile hairdresser, Segovia hasn't worked since 2006. At 47, she is a survivor of breast cancer and cervical cancer. A divorced single mother of two, Segovia shares her Port Tampa, Florida home with her 10 year-old son Azaiah and 21 year-old son Christian. Her elder son has Down Syndrome; he cannot speak or bathe himself, and he has had heart surgery and a kidney transplant, reports the St. Petersburg Times.

Azaiah immediately took to the dog, whom he named RaeLee (pronounced "Riley"). Segovia and her sons bought the dog a collar, leash, ball and brown bed from the dollar store, and all that day, Azaiah played with the dog, laughing gleefully whenever RaeLee licked his face. "Don't fall in love with him," Segovia warned.

Segovia and Savige made 4,000 FOUND flyers with the dog's picture, stuffed mailboxes and put an ad on Craigslist. When no one called, RaeLee stayed the night at the Segovias' house. His dog bed was placed in the living room, but when the boys climbed into their twin beds, RaeLee dragged his bed down the long hallway and bunked with the boys in their room.

By Saturday -- four days later -- no one had called to claim RaeLee, and he was still living with the Segovias. The honey-colored terrier had started responding to his new name. He almost never barked, loved playing rambunctiously with Azaiah, and was tender with Christian.

One afternoon, the dog settled himself on the floor near Christian as he watched a "Barney" video in his room. Segovia was outside watering the plants when the placid moment was shattered by the sound of RaeLee crashing into the screen door and barking crazily. Alarmed, Segovia opened the door, only to have the dog race back through the house towards the boys' room. Segovia followed, screaming when she caught sight of her son. Christian was "slumped over, his body writhing in a seizure, blood streaming from his nose and mouth." RaeLee stood next to him yelping, but suddenly went quiet when Yolanda reached down to hold her son.

"If he hadn't come to get me," Segovia said, "the neurologist said Christian would have choked on his own blood and died." The dog, she decided, was a keeper.

But the next day, Segovia and her sons were heartbroken when someone called to claim the dog they had come to love. Randy Cliff, 34, who lived six blocks away said he had been searching for his dog -- real name Odie -- for over a week. Odie had lived with Cliff, his wife, their four children and infant granddaughter. Savige cried, telling Cliff, "That dog saved my friend's son."

When Cliff came to collect his dog, RaeLee a.k.a. Odie, leapt off the Segovias' porch and into his arms. Christian watched from a window. Azaiah stood on the porch watching the man hug the dog he knew as RaeLee. "We're going to miss you," he said, tearfully.

Looking up, Cliff took in the scene -- Christian looking scared, Azaiah looking downtrodden -- and asked, "Is that your brother?" Azaiah nodded yes.

With a sudden change of heart, Cliff put the dog back down. "Maybe Odie was supposed to find you," Cliff told a stunned and delighted Azaiah. "Maybe you should keep him."

And that is how the kindness of strangers -- Savige for rescuing a lost dog, Segovia for taking him in, and Cliff for giving up his pet to a pair of brothers who needed the dog more -- brought RaeLee to live with Azaiah, Christian and their mother.