Grandpa's Birthday

Happy Birthday Grandpa!!!
Yesterday was my grandpa's birthday and today we went to their house to celebrate. We had steak for lunch and grandma let me eat whipped cream for desert (I love that)! It's still a little chilly, but I got in the pool anyway. It was pretty cold so I just swam around, got out, rolled in the grass, laid around in the sun for awhile, then did it all over again (and again, and again). It makes me happy because I know the official swim season is almost here!

Strut Your Mutt 2008

Mark you calendars -- this year's Strut Your Mutt is February 23, 2008.

Last year, thousands of animal lovers came out in support of the homeless and abused animals that are cared for at the SPCA and raised more than $115,000. In addition to the 3k walk/fun run, there will be plenty of family-fun events for you to enjoy. So, whether you are a walker, a runner or just want to hang out at the finish line, join me in celebrating our common compassion for animals.

Click this link to get all the info: SPCA website

A Big Thank You to Petropolitan!

I owe Petropolitan a big THANK YOU!!! They really helped us out the day my daddy went to the hospital. They were really busy (the next day was Thanksgiving) but they took me in anyway. It really helped my mom!!! She was very worried about daddy and it made her feel a lot better that she didn't have to worry about me. They're GREAT!!!

My daddy came home today!

They finally let my daddy come home from the hospital today! He's very tired and is hurting a lot, but I think he'll be much happier now that he's home with me and Rumba. Mom was spending the night at the hospital with daddy and we were getting very lonely!!! Now everything is back to normal :)

My daddy is in the hospital!

Last weekend daddy went to Chicago and on the way back he got really sick. His stomach was really hurting and he stayed in bed for two days. He tried to go to work yesterday, but as soon as he got there everyone said, "You have to go to the hospital! You look horrible!" He called mom and she rushed over to get him. They went to the emergency room and found out that his appendix had ruptured! He was in a LOT of pain and everyone was very concerned! The doctor took one look at his Cat Scan and scheduled him for immediate surgery.
I was at work, so mom got really worried that she wouldn't be able to come get me. Thankfully I was with my friend Lisa! She's my best friend and she takes really good care of me! She called Petropolitan and they were able to make room for me. She packed up my treats, my bed, and my leash and took me over on her way home.
I'm really lucky to have so many people looking after me!

Mylar Update

We finally found out what happened to Mylar (his name is actually "Simba", but he'll always to "Mylar" to me)!

It turns out that he actually lived two houses down from us. Since his people never put a collar on him we never knew exactly where he came from. Apparently someone didn't like Mylar so they left a nasty note on his front door saying that his people needed to keep him inside or they would call the pound and have him hauled away! I can't believe anyone would do that -- Mylar was the sweetest cat I've ever known!!!

Mylar's family tried to keep him inside, but Mylar wouldn't hear of it. He refused to use the litterbox and would cry all day and night because he liked getting to roam around outside (especially coming to our house for rotisserie chicken). His family decided that the best thing would be for him to go and live with relatives in Oklahoma. They have a bigger house and he's allowed to be outside.

We certainly miss him, but at least we know what happened and we hope he's making lots of new friends. Good Luck Mylar!!!

Last swim day of the year

Today we went to grandma and grandpa's to celebrate Mom's birthday. I was really excited about getting to swim, but the water was pretty chilly. I think this was probably the last swim day of the year... I'm kind of sad, but I guess I'll just have to wait until spring :(

I did get to hang out with Buster, so that made up for my lack of time in the water. Sunbathing with a good friend can be fun too.

Halloween at Petropolitan

Sam and I went to Petropolitan today for a Halloween party. I was a mummy and Sam came dressed in his OU attire. We had a lot of fun!!!

Pictures from my day at the Park

Today we went to the park! We tried to go to Connemara, but it was closed... We decided to go to Breckingridge so we could play in the stream and run around. Here are some of the highlights from my day.

Me and daddy running across a big field

Me and daddy wading through a stream

Shaking off after a little swim

Me and daddy on the path

On the rocks at our secrect swimming hole

What a great day!

Mylar is missing... again!

I'm really worried about Mylar. I know he's gone missing before, but this time he's been gone for weeks! We keep waiting for him to come by for breakfast and he never shows up. Mom is really upset and I'm afraid something terrible has happened! If anyone has seen him, please let me know ASAP... we really miss him!!!!!

New babies

Today two of our friends had babies!!! Brandon and Angie had baby Emma and Clint and Michelle had baby Addison!!! I can't wait to see them!!!

Holly Lake Ranch

This weekend we went to see our friends at Holly Lake Ranch and it was GREAT!!! Brandon and Angie have a house by the lake and I got to swim and play all day. I jumped off their dock and swam all afternoon. When everyone went to dinner I got to stay and play with Lili. We had so much fun! She likes to be chased so we ran around for hours. I hope we go back soon.

Download and print this flyer to post in your neighborhood and help us put a stop to dog fighting.

Let’s take this opportunity to come together and stamp out animal cruelty and abuse of all types. For more information or to help the SPCA of Texas in its mission to provide every animal exceptional care and a loving home, please visit www.spca.org or contact us at 214.742.SPCA (7722).

New laws to protect animals go in effect September 1

It was a great year for animals in the Texas legislature

Passed Legislation

Animal Cruelty: The House “concurred” with the Senate version of the animal cruelty bill (HB 2328, sponsored by State Rep. Beverly Woolley and State Sen. John Whitmire). Effective this September 1st, for the first time in Texas history, it will be a crime to:

• commit acts of cruelty to stray and feral dogs and cats
• “recklessly” commit cruelty to an animal (prosecutors will no longer have to prove that a person intended to commit cruelty)
• kill or cause serious bodily injury to animals “in a cruel manner”—which is defined as “a manner that causes or permits unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering” (it will no longer be necessary to prove “torture”)
• fail to provide water to an animal in a person’s custody

A prosecutor must still prove “torture” in cases involving cruelty to “livestock animals” (horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, etc.). However, “torture” is defined as “any act that causes unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering.” This is the identical protection that was given to non-livestock animals! So, for the most part, the livestock vs. non-livestock protections are a distinction without a difference. This is a huge victory for horses. And, yes, horse tripping is still a crime.

Anti-Tethering: HB 1411, sponsored by State Rep. Buddy West, prohibits an owner from tethering a dog outside between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am and during extreme weather conditions. This bill is on its way to the governor’s desk.

Dog Fighting: HB 916, sponsored by State Rep. Jose Menendez and State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, increases the penalty for dog fighting from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony and increases the punishment for attending a dog fighting exhibition from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class A misdemeanor.

Training and Certification of Animal Control Officers: SB 1562, sponsored by State Sen. "Chuy" Hinojosa and State Rep. Phil King, provides for training and certification of animal control officers. This bill also increased the penalty for killing or seriously injuring a police service animal from a third degree felony to a second degree felony. This bill is on its way to the governor’s desk.

Natural Disasters and Pets: HB 88, sponsored by State Rep. Dan Branch, requires that companion animals and service animals be included in evacuation plans in the event of natural disasters.

Cat's Meow Spay/Neuter Special

SPCA of Texas offers discounted spay/neuter surgeries for cats

WHAT: The SPCA of Texas continues its ongoing campaign to stop pet overpopulation by offering spay/neuter services for cats at discounted prices the week of July 9-13 at the Dallas and McKinney clinics and July 10-14 at the Village Fair clinic. The spay/neuter special offers $20 spay and neuter surgeries for cats by appointment only.

As always, proof of vaccinations is required: For cats, rabies & FVRCP. Should your pet need vaccinations, each shot is $17.

WHY: If left intact, a companion animal can produce an unlimited number of offspring in his or her lifetime. Sadly, American shelters euthanize more than five million homeless dogs and cats every year, at a cost to taxpayers of more than $1 billion annually. Spaying and neutering lessens the chances of a pet developing cancer, reduces roaming tendencies and decreases the pet’s urge to mark its territory.

WHEN: Monday, July 9 through Friday, July 13 (Dallas, McKinney)Tuesday, July 10 through Saturday, July 14 (Village Fair)Cats must be in carriers.

WHERE: SPCA Martin Clinic, 362 S. Industrial Blvd., Dallas SPCA Village Fair Clinic, 4830 Village Fair Dr., DallasSPCA Perry Clinic, 8411 FM 720 (near Custer Road), McKinney
To schedule an appointment at any of the three clinics, call 214-742-SPCA (7722).

COST: $20 for neutering males or for spaying females. Vaccinations are $17 per each Rabies and combination shots for cats (Rhinotracheitis-Calici-Panleukopenia).

My Gator is gone

My Gator is GONE!!! I can't believe it... today while swimming at Grandma and Grandpa's Daddy accidently threw my gator over the fence and into the shrubs on the golf course. He didn't do it on purpose, but now my favorite toy is gone!!! We tried to find it but it fell down into the tall bushes on the other side of the fence. I can't believe it's gone!!! I can't swim without my favorite pool toy!!!

This is my only picture of us together... I hope if someone on the golf course finds him they'll throw him back over the fence. I can't stand the thought of someone finding him and then just throwing him in the trash. My poor gator!!! I really loved him!!!

Happy Birthday Aunt Melony!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

What to do about Rumba...

Mom and I are a little concerned about Rumba. She seems to be having some back problems... A couple of months ago we had to take her to the emergency clinic because she couldn't walk and was crying a lot. Of course she totally freaked out and the vet couldn't even examine her. Mom thinks she must have jumped down off the counter and hurt her back (she won't jump up on anything higher than a chair anymore). She's usually OK, but the other night it happened again. All of a sudden she was just crying and crying and she wouldn't let anyone touch her. It's very scary when that happens!!! I think we should take her to the vet, but I'm not sure how. When you try to take her she gets very upset and starts to hiss and snarl and snort. Hopefully, we'll come up with something, I don't like it when Rumba doesn't feel good...

Hotel Palomar

We had a great time at the Palomar. The hotel is very nice and I really liked our room. It was a lot of fun getting to ride the elevator and walking down the halls (I wish we had carpet at home -- I like it better than wood). Mom and Dad said they were very proud of me for behaving so well. All the people that worked there were very nice to me. They even brought me a big pink and brown bed to sleep on. Mom said they have a doggie spa; I could have gotten a massage, but that sounded a little scary (I don't really like it when strangers touch me). We didn't bring Rumba because Dad didn't think cats were allowed. When we got there we found out that cats are allowed... but, I don't think Rumba would have liked it as much as me.

Hotel Palomar

Today we're going to the Hotel Palomar. Mom and Dad are spending the night and I get to go too! We were going to spend the night at the Four Season's but they only allow dogs that are smaller than beagles. The Hotel Palomar allows dogs of any size -- I'm very excited.