Pet Monologues

This is #1 in a series of nature photography. The images are winners in the prestigious 2007 Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards.

The competition includes the Grand Prize and winners in 15 categories. More than 17,000 entries were submitted from photographers from 26 countries around the world to document the beauty, variety, and importance of Earth’s wildlife and wild places.

About Windland Smith Rice

This exhibition has been named in memory of Windland Smith Rice for her unyielding support of emerging photographers worldwide. Windland’s love for nature and photography was second only to her love for people and her legacy will fuel the passion of these artists for generations to come.

2008
The categories for the 2008 Nature’s Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards: Read the rest of this entry »

The HSUS offers reward in Indianapolis horse shooting.

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the shooting death of ­a 29-year-old quarter horse, who was found dead in the back yard of an Indianapolis woman’s home. Read the rest of this entry »

Bless the animals.

World Animal Day occurs annually on 4 October. Animal welfare groups, sanctuaries, and individuals throughout the world hold special events to heighten public awareness of animal issues and to encourage people to think about how we as humans relate to animals.

World Animal Day Mission Statement

* To celebrate animal life in all its forms
* To celebrate humankind’s relationship with the animal kingdom
* To acknowledge the diverse roles that animals play in our lives from being our companions, supporting and helping us, to bringing a sense of wonder into our lives
* To acknowledge and be thankful for the way in which animals enrich our lives

“In this photo the Rev. Ron Spahn blesses an equine member of the 10:15am service at Christ Church Grosse Pointe. It was like Noah’s Ark without all the rain.” Photo: Brendan Ross/brossphoto.com

Designer: “Puppy” by Eero Aarnio

History

World Animal Day was conceived at an ecologist’s convention in Florence, Italy in 1931 as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. October 4th was chosen as World Animal Day because it is also the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a Catholic Church holiday which is often celebrated with an annual “blessing of the pets”.

Since then, it has grown to encompass all kinds of animal life and has been widely celebrated around the world. It is intended as a day of celebration for anyone in the world who cares about animals. It is not restricted to any one nationality, creed, religion, political belief or ideology. Read the rest of this entry »

Details announced their top fifty most influential people and called PM to comment on their @ 29th choice…….Iggy, the Brussels griffin mix terrier.

Power 50—December 2007

Meet the most influential men under 45. These would include the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, OK. Sergey and Larry, rogerthat. Justin T, Yo. NBC Entertainment co-chair Ben Silverman, that’s a wrap. Harry Potter, alakazam! And #29 Iggy the Brussels griffin mix terrier, yip.

It was hard to say where public opinion was at the beginning but after a few days there were quotables. “We truly are learning so much as a nation. God bless that Iggy for all he has to say, and will continue to say.” “Just tell me the new mommy of Iggy isn’t Britney.” “This story REALLY needs to be put down and out of its misery.” “They saved his life, then cut off his balls. Maybe they’ll cover that on Wednesday’s show.” “They’re just using Iggy to try to drive Ellen DeGeneres crazy. Short trip…”

The story broke in early October. A month later it became “IggyGate: Iggy Ready to Talk” on ET. On 10 December the New York Post runs “Ellen Rebuilding Animal Shelters Nationwide to Rebuild Damaged Rep” which has former Meow Mix owner, Richard Thompson footing the bill. As recently as 15 December huffingtonpost.com posts the 13th Annual Top 10 PR Blunders List topping with “FEMA’s fake news conference” and “Iggy come home” at #4.

Details pats its write-up with “The winner in this drama? Iggy—who made Ellen, and all her millions of viewers, his bitch.”

See the complete Details Power 50.

Center for Biological Diversity. Global warming.

Legal victory forces acknowledgment of global warming. Read the rest of this entry »

Is this a “punish the deed” episode two? PM has in less than a year been exposed to a lot of animal stories finds these “death row” stories a bit too commonplace.

This quilt was recently auctioned on ebay. The image on the quilt looks a bit like Duke the pitbull currently on death row.

The accused animals in these stories both have pretty good cases. Is it enough to save them? Is this a case of a bad animal, a neglectful owner, or an act of self defense? Are the rights of animals different than the owners/victims?

Here is the latest story.

Congo is a 2 1/2-year old German shepherd from Princeton Township, N.J., who was sentenced to death for mauling gardener Giovanni Rivera, 42, on June 5. The dog’s owners maintain that he was simply defending his family from a perceived threat. Read the rest of this entry »

American Bar Association hosts “Prosecuting reckless owners and muzzling dangerous dogs.”
December 1, 2007, New York University, New York City Read the rest of this entry »

Man gets 3 years for puppy toss.

CHARLESTON, S.C.—An incredulous judge sentenced a man to three years in prison for tossing a 10-week-old puppy off an apartment balcony during an argument with his girlfriend. Read the rest of this entry »

Ellen Degenres brought “rescue” and “shelter” to the media. A good thing because when people talk, issues are better understood. It’s been a week. Let’s review.

Public reaction
The public response was swift, polarized, and far reaching. There were few surprise reactions with the exception of Craig’s List pet forum. PM was somewhat surprised by how the pet forum responded. Because this pet forum is an experienced, emotional, pro-adoption group, we expected the forum to attack the shelter for taking dogs away from a home, from children. On the contrary, CL sentiment was that Ellen should have read the contract, called the shelter, and not take this public on her show. The shelter got death threats.

The skinny
The inevitable inaccuracies are identified. We learn that her new dog was at a dog trainer for most of the days under Ellen’s care. That the shelter, Mom’s & Mutts, didn’t go to the media first. That the dog was finally, and confidentially, placed. That taking this to the airwaves is not going Ellen’s way a week later. That the shelter has not budged telling Ellen “If Ellen wants to place dogs and decide what’s a good home, then she should start her own rescue group. But I’m the one doing this and I know what I’m doing.” We learn that Ellen has given away a pooch(es) before.

Rearview mirror
It could be concluded that this was a fight between a star and an animal rescue group. Both sides trying to do what they thought was best for the dog. That there are two sides to whether the animal should be returned to the shelter: The American Humane Association “recommends” a more open adoption process that does not require the animal be returned to the shelter. Mom’s & Mutts, among other shelters, are standing fast: return the dog to the shelter. Most everyone stresses that the shelter or adoption agency should be kept in the loop and made aware of the pet’s whereabouts. Read the rest of this entry »

Center for Biological Diversity. Save endangered species.

Dear PM,

We’re in the fight of our lives to save the Endangered Species Act from an all-out attack by the Bush administration, and we need your help! Read the rest of this entry »