Take a look at this video and offer some feedback, if you'd like. I'd be intersted in knowing how the general public feels about this issue. >> Company taking bids to clone dogs <<

Sept. 11 rescue dog to be cloned  

A German shepherd that served as a rescue dog in the days following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks has been chosen for cloning by a Mill Valley, Calif., company. 

BioArtsInternational said retired Canadian police officer James Symington wrote an essay about his dog, Trakr, that won the company's contest to find the most "clone-worthy dog,"  
the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.  Symington and Trakr were among the first search-and-rescue teams to seek out survivors of the Sept. 11 attacks at Ground Zero in  
New York City. 

Trakr, 15, now suffers from a degenerative neurological disorder that experts said may be linked to exposure to toxic smoke at the World Trade Center site in  
Lower Manhattan.  "We received many touching submissions to our contest, describing some truly amazing dogs," BioArts chief executive Lou Hawthorne said. "Trakr's story  
blew us away. His many remarkable capabilities were proven beyond all doubt on our nation's darkest hour -- and we view the work of cloning him as a great honor."

DOG TIP

If your dog spends time in your yard be aware of the schedule of your lawn maintenance service. Pesticides and herbicides applied to your lawn can be dangerous to your dog. Contact hypersensitivity and gastrointestinal disturbance can occur as a result of contact with these chemicals. Be sure to follow the instructions of your lawn service and if you have questions call poison control or your veterinarian. 

CAT TIP

Kidney disease appears mostly in older cats but is possible at any age. Initially you may notice changes in urination or drinking (more and more often), but as the disease progresses, you may see weight loss and more-severe evidence of a buildup of toxins in your cat's body such as vomiting.
Be concerned if your cat is urinating and drinking excessively. These symptoms can mean any number of problems. Observant owners may also note reduced appetite, more frequent vomiting, less grooming, and weight loss -- but these symptoms are usually later-stage results of kidney failure.
Some veterinary researchers have proposed that chronic kidney problems are caused by bacteria entering the blood of cats whose gums are badly infected. Although the impact of an infected mouth is still under debate, research does suggest the importance of preventive dental care for your pet.

PETS IN CLOTHES  

Rate the hotness or notness of dogs and cats modeling high fashions. Are these pets trendsetters or do some masters have too much free time? You decide; meanwhile, rank their style on a 1-to-10 scale.

Home with 170 Cats Condemned  

A smelly Wisconsin house has been deemed uninhabitable after officials removed more than 170 cats from the home, authorities said. 
Between 170 and 177 cats were taken from the house Tuesday before it was condemned by city  
officials, said Fond du Lac Police Lt. Rob Duveneck.  
Authorities said they found the cats after a nearby resident reported a "strong smell of urine" wafting from the 825-square-foot home. 

Two brothers, ages 54 and 55, were living in the home, the Fond du Lac (Wis.) Reporter said.  
One of the brothers initially told authorities only seven felines were in the urine-soaked home.  "As far as we know, there were no signs of abuse. It was just a situation that got out of control," Duveneck said. 

Most of the cats were taken to the Fond du Lac Humane Society and the rest were being held at other animal shelters, the newspaper said.

DOG TIP

Kills fleas instantly. Dawn Dish Washing Liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid  skin irritations. Good-bye fleas.

CAT TIP

If your cat is a picky eater, there are a few things you can do to make the food more palatable. Try moistening the food with a little water or broth. Warming the food can enhance the flavor. Adding some canned food may make it more enticing. Make sure she is not filling up
on treats or human food. If your cat is not eating well, see your veterinarian.

Making the Case for Cat Protection

This month, the American Bar Association published an article by Alley Cat Allies' Legal Director Wendy Anderson.  In the article, Wendy asserts that humans are the overwhelming cause of bird depletion. She examines the real reasons birds are at risk, human accountability, and the role lawyers can play in animal protection.
Click here to read the full article now. (PDF format)

Educating Veterinarians

Alley Cat Allies is proud to announce the release of a new educational video that demonstrates the stations involved in a feral cat spay and neuter clinic. It highlights a high-volume technique called a modified Miller's knot.  With this video, veterinarians nationwide can explore safer, more efficient spay techniques that veterinians can incorporate into everyday practice.
Please note: portions of this video may be considered graphic. Youtube video.

Alley Cat Allies has been on the forefront of the feral cat movement including the issue of cats in our environment. Recently, Wendy Anderson , Legal Director for Alley Cat Allies, authored an article in the American Bar Associations Animal Law Committee newsletter on a case in Galveston, Texas, in which a birder was charged with felony animal cruelty after shooting and killing a cat.
Click here to read the article.

To protect birds and their habitat we need to change human behaviors. Pollution and habitat destruction are overwhelmingly the leading cause of depletion of birds' habitat. Pitting animal versus animal does no animal justice – it merely diverts attention away from real solutions. The issues are complex and this article begins to explain the legal angles.Sincerely, Becky Robinson President

P.S. Please visit www.alleycat.org/anticruelty for more information on this topic.

USMC Disciplines Two Marines in Connection with Animal Cruelty Video

Late last week, the United States Marine Corps announced that it had disciplined two Marines for their participation in the cruel killing of a puppy while stationed in Iraq. Lance Corporal David Motari and Sergeant Crismarvin Banez Encarnacion received Non-Judicial Punishments, the details of which are protected under the Privacy Act. Based in Hawaii with the 1st Battalion, 3d Marine Regiment, Lance Cpl. Motari will be discharged from the Corps for his role in the incident.

These two Marines’ deplorable behavior received widespread attention after a video of their actions appeared on the Internet on March 3. As previously reported in ASPCA News Alert, the clip depicts one of them tossing a helpless pup off a craggy cliff.

The Marine Corps Base Hawaii issued a statement last week denouncing the incident, claiming “the actions seen in the Internet video are contrary to the high standards we expect of every Marine and will not be tolerated.”

The ASPCA distributed a press release on March 7 urging the Marines to release its findings about the episode and encouraging the public to voice its outrage. Thanks to the overwhelming response of citizens and public officials alike, Lance Cpl. Motari and Sgt. Encarnacion’s casual disregard for life did not go unexamined.

“The ASPCA has the highest respect for the brave and difficult task charged to the men and women stationed in Iraq,” says ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. “But as a just and humane country, we must protect the rights of all those who are defenseless, including animals. We appreciate the Marine Corps' thorough investigation of this repugnant act."

A Beautiful Way to Honor Special People & Pets

We never forget the special pets and people who’ve touched our lives, and the ASPCA is proud to offer you a beautiful way to share your memories. The new online ASPCA Memorial Pages are dedicated to beloved pets and people who have passed on, and provide the opportunity to make an online memorial donation.

Creating a Memorial Page is easy with our quick form, which allows you to post a story about your loved one and upload favorite pictures to your photo album. We’ll also provide you with an easy-to-remember URL, along with an email tool for inviting friends and family to visit your page. Please see our ASPCA Memorial Pages today for instructions.

DOG TIP

Rainy day cure for dog odor... Next time your dog comes in from the rain,
simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making
your dog smell springtime fresh.

CAT TIP

   To find the litter type that is best suited foryou and  
your cat you have many choices, including: antimicrobial,  
charcoal, citrus, clay, clumping, corn, flushable, green  
tea, no-track/low-track, paper, peanut hull,  pine, plant  
based, scented/unscented, silicon, wheat or wood fiber.  
With all these choices you are sure to find the right  
litter for both you and your cat.

WHO WILL BE THE SECOND ADOPT-A-BULL WINNER?

You know your pit bull pup is a winner, so tell us all about him!

Visit ASPCA.org for complete contest details, and meet our first-quarter winner, Wanda, a pound puppy-to-Delta Society Therapy Dog success story who is, no doubt, basking in her new celebrity status! [Exerpt from ASPCA]

IN PRAISE OF OLDER CATS: STORIES OF KITTIES IN THEIR GOLDEN YEARS

What wise faces we have seen! In April we put out a call for stories about the older felines in your lives, and your responses came pouring in. All of them were touching, with some wonderfully funny twists—like 15-year-old Reba, who hung out on the dash of her mom’s 18-wheeler until they both retired from trucking, and Mercury, who at 16 1/2 still revs up and tears through the house. Take a look our gallery of elderly cats, these ever-playful sassy bed warmers who’ve kept an eye on their humans over the years. Many are now reaching their twenties and still basking in the sun. [Exerpt ASPCA]

PET POISON ALERT: COCOA BEAN MULCH CAN BE TOXIC TO DOGS

For more detailed information, please take a look at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center online.

DOG TIP

Does your longhaired dog sometimes get fecal material caught in the fur on her back legs? Consider having a groomer keep the fur on the back legs and around the rectum trimmed short. This will help your dog stay clean. 

CAT TIP

If your cat enjoys catnip, consider growing your own. To plant outdoors, sow seeds in a sunny location in the early spring. Seeds are available in most garden stores or mail-order catalogs. Catnip will grow back again next year if  the winter is not too harsh.

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would Be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.
Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so
they don't have to stay as long.'

Live simply.
Love generously..
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

DOG TIP

Is your dog enjoying the summer by taking frequent dips in the lake or pond? If you start to notice a musty odor to his fur, much like an old gym bag, his fur may not be getting a chance to dry out completely. Bathe your dog with a doggie shampoo and allow him to dry completely, either in the sun or with a hair dryer set on a cool setting.
Sure, senior dogs may not have all the spunk they once had, but you can help your dog maintain a healthy lifestyle by keeping him physically active and mentally alert with fun and exercise. Consult your veterinarian about a good exercise routine for your dog.

CAT TIP

Shedding cats require frequent brushing, but many times the  
seemingly excessive hair is a fact of life for cat owners.  
Keep pet rollers handy in your home for quick clean up of  
yourself/clothing and your furniture.