Heros

The following video portrays pit bull terriors, that have saved countless lives, at times, to their own demise. Watch this and try not to cry...I can't do it!!! I tear every time I see it!!!! So now what is your thought on breed legislation? Once again, it is the deed, not the breed!!!!

The only one that could ever heel me, was the son of a flying man

And now for something completely different. Patch the flying australian cattle dog. What this breed won't due to spend quality time with their owner!!!!

Dog's in the kennel

Are states biting off more than they can chew in an attempt to address dangerous dogs?

RICHMOND, Va. — Bear is a golden retriever-shepherd who attacked a bicyclist. Dee Dee, a pit bull mix, killed a cat. Cody, a Labrador mix, bit the neighbor. Their mug shots, misdeeds and home addresses went online this month at the Virginia Dangerous Dog Registry, a new Web page modeled after the state’s sex offender registry. It lets residents find dogs in their county that have attacked a person or an animal, and that a judge has decided could cause injury again. Created after dogs killed a toddler and an 82-year-old woman in separate incidents in the last two years, Virginia’s registry is part of a growing effort by states to deal with dogs deemed dangerous. Thirty-three states and the District of Columbia hold owners legally liable if their dogs maim or kill, and in 2006, Ohio became the first state to enact a breed ban, though it was later overturned. In the last two years, nearly 100 municipalities have taken similar steps — banning pit bulls, Rottweilers, English bull terriers and American Staffordshire terriers, or passing regulations that require owners to use muzzles or short leashes in public, according to the American Kennel Club. Last month, Texas responded to a November 2005 mauling death of a 76-year-old woman by enacting some of the harshest criminal penalties for delinquent dog owners, making it a felony with a possible 10-year prison sentence for anyone whose dog seriously injures a person while off its leash. But lawmakers taking steps to deal with growing concerns have struggled to ensure public safety without impinging on the privacy and property rights of dog owners. Several of the measures have been overturned in the courts, and many national dog owner and veterinarian associations say the bans are difficult to enforce and ineffective since, they say, if one breed is banned, dog owners seeking aggressive dogs will simply begin fostering fierceness in other breeds. Full Story here: How does your state rank?

The audacity of the entertainment industry

The recent indictment of Atlanta Falcons QB, Michael Vick, is causing much speculation on whether he should be suspended immediately or after a court verdict. The answer to me is very simple, he must be suspended immediately and fired if found guilty. But this is not an isolated incident as we must look at the bigger picture. Illegal activity and cruel behavior is not just an issue with the players in the NFL and the NBA, but exists throughout the entertainment industry. These singers, athletes and actors are emulated by our children and our star studded culture. What kind of message are we sending to the youths of this nation? By turning our head to illegal behavior, we are telling our children that violence, drugs and lawlessness is OK. Yet later we wonder why more and more minors are severely injurred or killed by other minors. A study conducted in 2001, shows that 25% of Chicago Public School children have witnessed a dog fight. 2007 has been the most violent year for Chicago school children, with 34 children dead. Most at the hand of another minor. With great power comes great responsibility. Our sports stars, our music artists and our actors wield a great deal of influence on the youths of this nation. Negative influence can no longer be tolerated. I would like to see immediate contract release including a void on all salary caps for any star convicted of violent crime and immediate suspension for any star indicted for violent crime. Michael Vick still stands to earn 15 million dollars by 2008, regardless of suspension or release. By signing our stars to 6 figure incomes with salary caps, we are ensuring they get paid regardless of any judgement against them. Then of course there are the inevitable movie and book deals that follow. The entertainment industry must stop scratching it's head and debating what to do. It is time to stop glamorizing violence

Chicago's Big Fix Animobile Schedule

The Big Fix is a program designed to offer free spaying and neutering to Chicagoland pet owners living in the zip codes that have the highest numbers of reported strays. This program is offered through the Animobile Mobile (schedule and locations below) or at Animal Care and Control at 2741 S. Western. Chicago's Big Fix Animobile Schedule 2007 Animobile Mobile Spay/Neuter Schedule Please call 312-747-1406 to schedule an appointment. No animal over 50 pounds can be spay/neutered on the Animobile. Please schedule these animals for our Big Fix days every last Wednesday of the month at our shelter. Thursdays Ada Park 11250 S. Ada Street (Next to the Fieldhouse) February 15, 2007 - April 19, 2007 - June 21,2007 - August 16,2007 -October 18, 2007 - December 20, 2007 Columbus Park 500 S. Central Ave (Next to the Fieldhouse) February 1, 2007 - April 5, 2007 - June 7, 2007 - August 2, 2007 - October 4, 2007 - December 6, 2007 Gateley Park 810 E. 103rd Street (Next to the Fieldhouse) January 18, 2007 - March 15, 2007 - May 17, 2007 - July 19, 2007 - September 20, 2007 - November 15, 2007 Grand Crossing Park 7655 S. Ingleside (Next to the Fieldhouse) February 22, 2007 - April 26, 2007 - June 28, 2007 - August 23, 2007 - October 25, 2007 - December 27, 2007 Ogden Park 6500 S. Racine Ave (Next to the Fieldhouse) February 8, 2007 - April 12, 2007 - June 14, 2007 - August 9, 2007 - October 11, 2007 - December 13, 2007 Owens Park 2032 E. 88th Street (Next to the Fieldhouse) January 25, 2007 - March 22, 2007 - May 24, 2007 - July 26, 2007 - September 27, 2007 - November 29, 2007 Riis Park 6100 W. Fullerton Ave (Next to the Fieldhouse) January 4, 2007 - March 1, 2007 - May 3, 2007 - July 5, 2007 - September 6, 2007 - November 1, 2007 Sherman Park 1301 W. 52nd Street (Next to the Fieldhouse) January 11, 2007 - March 8, 2007 - May 10, 2007 - July 12, 2007 - September 13, 2007 - November 8, 2007 Eligibility Residents of the following zip codes are eligible for FREE spay/neuter surgeries for their dogs and cats: 60608, 60609, 60617, 60618, 60619, 60620, 60621, 60622, 60623, 60628, 60629, 60632, 60636, 60637, 60639, 60643, 60644, 60647, 60651, 60652 You must register in advance. Call to make an appointment at one of the following locations: Chicago Animal Care and Control 2741 South Western Avenue, Chicago, IL (312) 747-1406 Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society 157 West Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL (312) 644-8338 ext. 347 Animal Welfare League 6224 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL (773) 667-0088 Animal Welfare League 10305 Southwest Highway, Chicago Ridge, IL (708) 636-8586 Participants must be a resident of the particular Chicago zip code and must be the legal owner of the animal. Only dogs and cats will be accepted and the animal must be no younger than eight weeks old and no older than ten years of age. No more than one animal per owner will be approved. All dogs 4 months and older must have a current city license. All animals must have a current current rabies vaccination or the owner must be willing to have the animal vaccinated at the time of the spay/neuter surgery. If approved, the owner must be able to pick up their pet between 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on the day of the event from the shelter, and around 2:00 p.m. from the Animobile. Applicants will be approved in the order in which requests are received.

To doo or not to doo

Great post from Lafew at Rogers Park Inconsistant. Read here.

If dogs and cats could blog

Fun cartoon for your Friday Enjoy!!!!!

Business of the Month: Parkview Pet Supply

This gem of a pet supply is located at 5358 N. Broadway, on the corner of Broadway and Balmoral. Once a staple of the Wicker Park neighborhood, the shop moved to this Andersonville/Edgewater location a few years back. The shop is owned by Joseph O'Brian, pictured above. The staff, including full timer Natasha Barraza, are all knowledgeable about the products they carry, helpful and friendly. Parkview Pet Supply carries a wide range of high end pet foods including: Solid Gold, Wellness, Inova, California Naturals, Fromm, Candidae, Prarie and Timberwolf to name a few. Parkview is also well stocked with pet supplies including leashes,toys,suppliments, grooming supplies crates and beds. Well merchandised, fully stocked and a staff that goes the extra mile, makes Parkview Pet Supply a great independent pet store and a must visit for area pet owners. Parkview Pet Supply 5358 N. Broadway Chicago, Il. 60640 (773) 561-0001