Pet Health

We’ve featured Gabrielle before, but she is still hanging out at the OCHS office. She is tired of being an office cat. She wants to be a house cat! Gabby was surrendered to the Humane Society by a well-meaning but not very well-equipped “cat lover” who had acquired 24 cats.

Meet Andy and stand in line for some kisses! He’s about three years old. We think a Catahoula Leopard Dog mix. Look it up on Wikipedia, really interesting. We know that he is used to older children and that he loves, loves, loves affection.

Did you hear about the arrest of 41 people two weeks ago, charged with participation in a cock fighting ring in Frankfort, NY? After a six-month investigation, the State Police and Attorney General’s Office swooped in on a Saturday afternoon to execute warrants for the arrest of these animal abusers and the seizure of more than 231 roosters. Neighbors in this quiet rural community had been reporting sudden influxes of cars, with loud music and the squawks of roosters coming from the barn every Saturday. It was those tips that led to the investigation and eventual arrests.

I was approached by a neighbor yesterday (Let’s just call her Miss Nosy) who wanted to tell me that I shouldn’t be tying my dog, Buddy, outside in my yard during the day, that it is bad for him. Whoa! He is never tied more than about 8 hours while I am at work. He has shade and food and water. What’s wrong with that?

This picture doesn’t begin to do them justice, but Jack and Mack are so bonded with people (all people) and with each other that it is almost impossible to get them to “pose” the way a more aloof and dignified cat will. They are brothers, orphaned at a very young age and bottle fed by one of our saintly foster families so they could survive.

I was driving on a country road and encountered a very disturbing situation with a large, male, intact dog. He was beside the road in a brushy area where an oncoming car could not see it. I flashed my lights at the oncoming car. The dog ran out in the road right in front of the oncoming car, and almost got hit, and then less than a minute later, it almost got hit a second time in a similar manner. I talked to his owner and told him that the dog would not be so likely to run off it he were neutered.

Polly has HUGE feet, HUGE eyes, and HUGE purrs. She is about a year old, friendly, used to other cats, dogs and kids. A real people cat and isn’t she just gorgeous?

It’s getting into the dog days of summer – we know our readers would never leave their dog(s) in a car because they are aware of the dangers of overheating and death. They know that cracking the windows does not prevent deadly heat buildup inside a car and that even on a relatively mild 70-degree day, the inside of a car will quickly reach 90 degrees. But do you know what to do if you see someone else’s dog alone in a car on a hot day? Two things. Call 911. Then, if the car is near a store or public building find the manager and request an emergency public service announcement about the dog in the car.

What can we say about Marnie? She’s a cat – sort of a layabout to be honest. As you can see, a very good eater. She’s used to other cats, dogs, kids. She’s friendly and likes to be around people, but strictly on her own terms. If she wants affection, give it to her – NOW!