Animal Abusers

I do not typically watch Dr. Phil, but I heard about yesterday's show and decided I had to watch.  The entire show was dedicated to animal abusers and rescuers.  

The show opened with a convicted dog fighter named Rob, he actually said he believed that dog fighting was just a sport and not abuse and that though he broke a law and that was wrong,  he believed the law was wrong.  Dr. Phil spoke up at this point and said what was on my mind, which was that this behavior is disgusting and dog fighting is abuse and to claim otherwise is just ridiculous.  After this they showed surveillance video of Rob's dog fighting facility.  I thought about including this video in the blog, but I could not bring myself to post this brutal and disturbing video.  It showed an experienced fighting dog brutally attacking a dog that had never fought before and all you can hear is that dog screaming.  I sat on my couch shaking at this point because I was so mad.  How could stand by and listen to that and watch that and choose to enjoy it.  I have no idea how anyone can inflict pain on a dog (or any animal for that matter) and be think they are in the right.  Completely disgusting!  I almost turned off  the show at this point, but I am glad I did not.  

The next guests were 10 fantastic and very interesting guys, Rescue Ink.  They have written a book, have a rescue foundation and have an upcoming TV show.  They are tattooed, "biker" looking dudes that have attitudes as big as their bodies.  They also have enormous hearts where animals are concerned.  They have taken animal rescue in their own hands and do whatever is necessary within the confines of the law. They have investigated and recorded surveillance to bring down major dog fighting rings and helped expose animal abusers and rescued their animals.  As soon as I find out about their TV show I will post the details, I'm sure to watch these guys work would be entertaining and quite interesting.  Rescue Ink believes in giving a second chance to everyone (that deserve it anyway) and since they have all had a checkered past they believe you can't just give up on these dogs.  That is why they kept Rebel as their mascot.  Rebel was rescued from one of the dog fighting busts they did and he was severely injured, his ears had been mostly ripped off and his face was completely covered with bites and scratches.  Now he is happy and healthy, with the exception of the scars on his face and missing ears, you would never know he was a fighting dog.

At the end of the show Dr. Phil brought out a bunch of dogs that are up for adoption at SPCA-LA, along with a message that I strongly support... Don't Shop, ADOPT!  If you want a dog, please do not go to a pet store, adopt from your local shelter or rescue.  To see some of the dogs that were featured on the show, bark on the link:  Bark!

If you should see abuse happening or suspect it at all, this includes dog fighting, please report it by calling the tip hotline at 1.877.215.2250.

For more information about Rescue Ink, bark on the link:  Bark!

For more information about adopting a pet at SPCA-LA, bark on the link:  Bark!

For the full Dr. Phil show, bark on the link:  Bark!

Another Amazing Dog Story

I hear remarkable stories about dogs all the time, in the news, from clients and from friends and family.  But I never stop being amazed by them.  Our four legged furry friends are truly extraordinary in how they will act out of pure love, instinct, and compassion.

I am sure you have all seen this video by now, the story is a little over a year old, but I couldn't help myself I had to share it with you anyway.  It is yet another example of how special dogs really are.

Give us a bark:  Bark!

Downtown Dog Etiquette

As the dog population grows in Downtown, so does the problem of keeping our streets clean from doggie urine and excrement.  The Downtown Center Business Improvement District has launched a campaign to encourage dog owners to potty their dogs in appropriate areas and most importantly pick up after your dog.  They have been handing out postcards with a list of do's and don'ts on them that mainly points out the appropriate places to potty, which are not the sidewalks, planters, sides of buildings, trash receptacle, or fire hydrants.  I know a lot of dogs that do go on the sidewalk, because they are city dogs, this is where they learned to go.  A great practice for picking up their poo is to carry baby wipes with you, after you pick up with the bag give the sidewalk a wipe with a baby wipe.  It is easy and it keeps it clean.  I think it would be easy to see the campaign and feel like the city is not supporting our dogs.  This is not the case at all, they want to make sure that the city continues to grow and stays in a condition that welcomes all of us, dogs included.

We should all do our part to keep the streets clean and to be responsible dog owners, make sure to pick up after your dog.

For the whole story, bark on the link:  Bark!

Mother's Day Reminder

Don't forget, this Sunday (May 9th) is Mother's Day.  If you are still looking for something fun to do, you should check out Moms & Mimosas: Mother's Day Brunches In Downtown LA.  There are some fabulous restaurants listed and the menus look yummy for each one.  The prices range from "Moms Eat For Free" to $50.00 per adult.  It would be a great way to experience a slice of Downtown with your mom or to treat a Downtown mom to something special in her neighborhood.

Happy Friday and to all the moms... Happy Mother's Day!

To view the complete Moms & Mimosas list, bark on the link:  Bark!

Vaux's Swifts

Vaux's Swifts is all I have been hearing about for the last week or so, from my clients, my friends, and people on the street.  So, I had no choice but to go check it out.  Truly a beautiful sight.  It is always an amazing feeling to stand in awe of nature, who knew a simple task such as roosting could be such a beautiful performance.  

I encourage everyone to see them before they are gone.  They say the peak viewing time is 6:30pm - 8:00pm, but as of last night, they didn't start the roost process until about 7:15pm.  The Vaux's Swifts can be viewed from the top level of the parking structure at 440 Broadway, LA 90013.

Here is a little preview of what you could see...

For the full story bark on the link:  Bark!

Basset Retreat

I want to send a big Thank You to my two favorite Bassets, Bomber and Skarlett.  I had a wonderful time at my personal 5 day retreat with you.  My stomach still hurts from all the laughing and my heart is still full from all the love.  Can't wait until next time.  

Here are a few pictures from my time with them...

Give us a Bark!

Yield To Pedestrians

Each day I walk through dozens of intersections during my dog walks and each day I am amazed at how close people come to hitting me and the dog I am walking or a pedestrian in front of me.  The worst happened last week when a truck actually drove through the crosswalk at me to keep me from walking, the entire time yelling at me.  I had started to step off the curb with the dog I was walking, the crosswalk sign had just started to flash with a count down starting at 10.  If I have a dog with me, I will walk across the crosswalk with a flashing hand if it has just started flashing on a smaller street, once the countdown is past 7 I wait on the curb.  On wider streets, I don't cross once the countdown has started.  The main thing the man was yelling was that I was in the wrong and crossing the street illegally.  Knowing that I am not always right, I wanted to look up the law to find out if in fact I was breaking it.  As it turns out, I am not!  The law in all cases, regardless if the crosswalk sign says walk or do not walk, the pedestrian in the crosswalk has the right of way.  I am not suggesting that pedestrians can walk where ever and whenever they like, but I am saying that cars are much bigger and more powerful than people or dogs and if you are behind the wheel, you should think about this before racing into an intersection or simply not looking both ways before proceeding ahead.  For pedestrians, make sure to look both ways and don't walk if the sign say not to, we are no match for a car and the risk is never worth it, especially if you have a dog with you.

For more information on pedestrian laws bark on the link:  Bark!