Archive for December, 2009
British Pet Owners' "Animal Emergencies"
L.A. Times' pet/animal blog L.A. Unleashed brought my attention to the crazy calls that people in England have made to 999 (their version of 911) to report the most inane things, e.g. a woman in Manchester, England, who calls to report that her kitten playing with string is "doing me head in;" and another, in Yorkshire, who called to ask if the police could help her retrieve her hamster which had hidden under her bathroom floorboards.
Read and see more about these stories at the Guardian and the BBC.
Funny stuff for Dog/Cat Lovers at Fred Flare
Hipster ironic books about adorable cats and dogs, DIY cat and dog treat mixes, cat lady figurines, and so on. OK, perhaps these items sold at FredFlare.com are better suited for a white elephant party than as a serious gift for a loved one … But I gotta admit, some of these novelty items made me chuckle.
The feline lovin' peeps at Fred Flare must outnumber the pooch people, cuz there sure are a lot more cat-themed items than dog ones. What's up with that, Fred?
Seen here: Kittenwar, Chronicle Books, $14.95. Check out more dog and cat themed items for sale at Fred Flare after the jump.
Bootcamp for You and Your Dog via SFGate
Image: ThankDogBootcamp.com
It’s always right around the new year that people start to really freak out about their weight. New years’ resolutions and as I can attest, overeating during the holidays are the biggest reasons for this get-fit-mania. Luckily, your dog (and other pets) will love you even if you can’t ever get rid of that spare tire around your waist. But what if Sparky is also packing on the pounds with you? It may be time for both of you to get in shape. While 67 percent of Americans over 20 are obese, American pooches aren’t far behind, with a startling 44 percent obesity rate! SFGate’s Tails of the City writer Amelia Glynn has one solution for these troubling stats: Thank Dog! Bootcamp, an exercise and obedience class for humans and their dogs.
"Mine" Spotlights Animal Katrina Survivors and Their Owners
While walking down Valencia Street this morning I saw a poster for "Mine," a documentary by Geralyn Pezansoki about the pets that were rescued from Hurricane Katrina. The film documents people who were not allowed to bring their pets with them when they were rescued, and their search for their beloved friends after the storm.
