In celebration of the this new program, we have a special prize package for 5 lucky winners! Each will receive a Purina Pro Plan prize pack that includes a high quality black dog dish, white frisbee, large Rally to Rescue t-shirt and black coffe/drink tumbler! A fun prize for you and your dog.

A total of nine videos will be released throughout the spring, three of which are currently available on www.DoMoreForPets.com. In March, May and July two new videos per month will be added. They will provide tips on common activities or problems pet owners confront; keeping pets calm during storms or fireworks, introducing a cat into a home with a dog and jogging safely with your pooch.

Purina also offers pet owners another way to ‘Do More’ for pets, including supporting the Purina® Pro Plan® brand’s signature Rally to Rescue® program, which has helped small rescue groups find homes for more than 300,000 pets across the country during the past five years.

Would you like a chance to win?

• Visit DoMoreForPets.com, then leave a comment on this post telling us which video was your favorite.
• Comment before midnight on Monday March 15th, 2010. You may comment daily until the giveaway closes.
• This is open to those in the USA only.
• Please be sure to fill out the email portion of the comment form correctly, as the winners will be contacted by email.
• You can get an extra entry by becoming our Facebook Fan (use the button on our sidebar, then leave another comment here letting us know you became a fan).
• You can get another extra entry by becoming a fan of Rally to Rescue on Facebook. Be sure to leave another comment letting us know you became their fan.

Thanks and good luck!

Giveaway: Purina Pro Plan Prize Pack! originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on March 8, 2010.

Karen writes:

My husband and I were emptynesters until December 1st.  We walked into the Adopt a Pet in Knoxville Tennessee and fell in love with Alexis and Jacob.  Now our house is a home filled with lots of love, barking, playing and walking (we are back in shape)!  Here are pictures when we first brought them home and two month anniversary.  We challenge all emptynesters in Knoxville Tennessee to do something awesome and adopt a pet.  Your home will never be the same!

Thanks Karen for sharing your cute dogs, and for putting out the challenge to other emptynesters to adopt a furry friend or two!

Cute of the Day: Alexis and Jacob originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on March 5, 2010.

Enjoy the guest post (thanks Susan):

As I write this, my black cat, Sasha, is going through her pantomime, telling me that she either wants to go out, or she wants to eat. Or, she would like to have something else in her bowl. She goes to the door, rejects the notion of going out, turns toward her dinner; goes back to the door, because clearly this human is not listening. Sasha, adopted at approximately nine months old, has taken roughly thirteen years to trust humans enough to be stroked while she’s standing on the floor. A feral kitten captured and neutered by a small non-profit, somewhat militant organization, was on display at our local Massachusetts Society Prevention of Cruelty Association branch, which often took these feral cats in the hope of finding homes for them. My youngest daughter spotted the exceedingly shy black cat and wanted her. Sasha spent about five months under Alison’s bed. Because she had never been socialized, this cat did not even know how to purr. Fast forward seven years. A second rescue kitty, Hartley Mims, Jr. (I’m an author, good character names are fair game) joined the family and something rather miraculous happened. Sasha learned to purr. Following Hartley’s example, she learned that people were okay, and that touching was nice. She still won’t tolerate being picked up, but constant dependable gentle respectful consistent love has brought her around to being one of the sweetest creatures on earth. This is but one rescue story. There are hundreds upon thousands of such stories. In literature as well as life, the ideal is the safely rescued animal finds the perfect home and becomes the perfect pet. But when an animal is so damaged or developmentally challenged by its beginnings that it doesn’t accept its new situation; that can make for a difficult transition.

My second favorite rescue story is that of Hunter, a beagle-ish dog that my daughter and son-in-law adopted from a shelter in Massachusetts. He’d come from Indiana, seemed nice and quiet, very well behaved. So well behaved that the neophyte dog owners left him alone the day after bringing him home—uncrated. The destruction was profound. An entire couch cushion and most of one arm gone. Ingested. Turns out even though they knew that Hunter had found his forever home, he didn’t know it. Separation and stranger anxiety all rolled into one. A very long period of trial and error, a few drugs, and constant, dependable gentle respectful consistent love brought him around. He’s still not too keen on strangers, and they never leave him loose in the house, but he is a champion among dogs.

In One Good Dog, my imaginary pit bull, Chance, comes from a deeply disturbing situation and finds himself having to learn a new ‘trade,’ that of pet. He is not only rescued, but is also a rescuer. I think that’s true of most adopted animals, we take them in, and they teach us something about ourselves. Be the person your dog thinks you are.

The work of shelters and breed rescue organizations is vital. In this time of economic uncertainty, when hard choices are being made every day between food and healthcare; mortgage and vet bills, our shelters are sometimes the only resort for people in need. People who love their animals and know that they cannot care for them have someplace to turn.

Thank you for inviting me to guest blog on 4theloveofanimals.

Guest Post: Susan Wilson originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on March 4, 2010.

Every so often, you need a bottle opener. And chances are, it’s not something that you carry around with you! Well, Bark4Beer has solved that problem. Bark4Beer is a bottle opener and dog collar all in one! The collar has a retractable bottle opener attached, so it is always handy when you are out with your dog and need a bottle opener. Why not let your pooch carry the opener, right?

Bark4Beer even offers the option of a matching leash, and party wear (Bark4Beer tees). The collars come in two sizes to fit all sizes of dogs. We thought it was a fun idea (though we haven’t tried it out), and especially loved the story behind the product. Bark4Beer was created by two friends who needed a bottle opener for beers while they were at a pool party. They didn’t have one nearby, so they used their dog’s collar to pop the tops off. How’s that for being creative?

The party animals at Bark4Beer have offered the chance for one of you to win a bottle opener collar! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post letting us know why you want to win the Bark4Beer collar. Comment before midnight on March 8th, 2010. You may enter daily until the giveaway ends.

Thanks to Bark4Beer, who is providing the product for this giveaway.

Giveaway: Bark4Beer originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on March 1, 2010.

The author, Elizabeth Rogers, is also the co-author of the New York Times bestseller The Green Book. She presents the information in a great way. Everything is broken down into categories and shows how the “shift” can save you money, how it impacts the planet, and easy tips for making it work.

Here are a few great tips for future and current pet owners.

Early Adopter

The Shift: Instead of buying your new friend from a pet store or breeder, adopt one from a shelter.
Save $$: Up to $500 or more depending on animal and breed.
Save the Planet: Adopting a shelter pet not only saves a life, but it reduces demand for purebred animals, which are more likely to have medical problems due to genetic abnormalities.
Good for You: Adopting an orphaned animal keeps it from having to be euthanized. Most shelter animals are spayed or neutered, have been treated for worms, and have at least their first set of shots. If you’re not willing to go through the trials of house-training a young puppy or kitten, opting for an older shelter animal is an easy option.
Shift-It Tip: If you’re set on a purebred dog or cat, buy one from a rescue association instead of getting a pedigree from a breeder. Contact The Humane Society of the United States to locate a nearby rescue group.

Incredible Bulk

The Shift: Buy flea and tick medicine and any other pet medications online and in bulk instead of buying them one month at a time from your vet.
Save $$: Up to $125 per year or more.
Save the Planet: Buying a 12-month supply reduces packaging waste and also conserves the fuel you’d normally use to pick up your pet’s meds every month or two.
Good for You: Save time driving and sitting in waiting rooms at the vet office.

Toy Story

The Shift: You know how babies love to play with keys more than any other expensive toy made just for them? Pets are the same way. Instead of buying toys, you can delight dogs and cats with stuff you already own.
Save $$: Up to $200 or more per year on pet toys.
Save the Planet: Creating pet toys from items you’d otherwise throw away reduces manufacturing energy as well as waste, since you’ll be buying fewer toys overall and tossing fewer destroyed toys into the garbage.
Shift-It Tip: Here are a few ideas to entertain your pooch or feline: Knotted-up old towels, cut-up sheets, holey t-shirts, or other rags for tug-o-war; old—or orphaned—socks stuffed with catnip; cardboard boxes or paper towel rolls; old tennis or racquet balls; string; ponytail holders.

The book offers tips for every part of life. We really enjoyed it, and have found ourselves using it as a reference when we have needed to replace items. I like to look through it a lot because it offers ideas for how to use a lot of what is already in the house. Shift Your Habit: Easy Ways to Save Money, Simplify Your Life, and Save the Planet gets four paws up for offering simple changes that can make a difference. It can be preorded right now via Amazon, and should be hitting shelves in bookstores on March 9th.

Book: Shift Your Habit originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on March 1, 2010.

This guest post comes to us from Joy who writes on behalf of Animal Friends Insurance.

Bonding With Your Kitten

Whether you have bought a kitten, or your cat has given birth to a litter that you intend to keep, you will most likely want to bond with the new member of your family. Household pets can be very rewarding, and by bonding with your kitten you will create a wonderful relationship with it that will continue even when it has grown into an adult cat.

A lot of people find that they can bond more with their kitten once they have named it. This way you can use its name and it can get used to hearing and responding to it. You might want to write a list of pet names and choose the one that you think is perfect for your new friend!

One of the best ways of bonding with your new kitten is to play with it. With many toys for cats on the market, and many fun variations that you can make at home, you and your kitten can have a great time playing together. Not only will you be bonding by doing this, but you will also keep your kitten fit and healthy. Pet health is very important and you will need to keep an eye out for anything that may be wrong with your kitten so that you can get it seen to as soon as possible, and playing with it is a good way to ensure that your kitten is well.

Pet behavior is another thing that you may want to look out for. Every kitten has its own personality and quirks that you will find endearing and will love. Some kittens will have certain things that they do when they are happy or when they want attention, for example, and by observing this behavior you will be able to pinpoint your kitten’s emotions better throughout its life, which is a wonderful bond that you can share.

If your kitten is very nervous around you, it may help for you to get down so that you are more on its level. By sitting on the floor as opposed to standing up, your kitten may feel more comfortable around you and less fearful. This means that it will also be more likely to allow you to play and pet it which leads to a better bond in the long run.

Grooming is a fantastic bonding experience for you and your kitten. It is also something that you need to introduce early in your kitten’s life so that it can get used to it. Cats that aren’t used to being groomed may not like it and will become quite agitated with the situation, so pick up a brush for your cat and get rid of any knots it may have, or just brush as a comfort for your kitten so that it can get used to the experience.

Looking after your kitten’s well being is of utmost importance, not only for bonding but also for its health. Ensure that your kitten is fit, healthy and has sufficient food and water. It is a good idea to feed your kitten at the same times of the day, so that it gets used to a regular routine with you. You will need to take your cat to the vet yearly for a check-up to ensure that everything is fine with your furry friend and that there are no problems that you may not have noticed. You may want to buy pet insurance, so that you can be sure that medical bills will not be an issue if any health problems do arise with your cat. Cat insurance will set your mind at ease and give you the peace of mind that, even if something bad were to happen, your kitten will be looked after sufficiently.

Whether you have got your new kitten yet or not, you are sure to create a wonderful bond with it by following these tips. By doing things with your kitten and by observing its behavior, you can begin to learn what it likes and dislikes and get to know what your cat’s personality is like. As it grows up, you will feel more and more connected to your wonderful new pet.

Guest Post: Bonding with your kitten. originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on February 28, 2010.

Anyway, be sure to visit PetSide for more Olympic coverage, and to learn more about the pets of the Olympians.

The 2010 Olypmians (and Pets) originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on February 26, 2010.

COTATI, CALIF. – The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) today announced an effort aimed at creating public registries in each state of anyone convicted of felony animal abuse. This could include violence (torture, mutilation, intentional killings, etc.), sexual abuse, and animal fighting as well as neglect (such as hoarding). Such registries would help protect animals, pet guardians and communities by preventing repeat offenses from anyone with an established history of abusing animals.

Through its campaign, www.ExposeAnimalAbusers.org, the animal protection organization is promoting model legislation that state legislatures could enact. Such bills have been introduced in the past by elected officials in Rhode Island, Colorado, and Tennessee, and the first-ever bill for a statewide registry in California was today announced by its sponsor, State Senator Dean Florez.

ALDF points to the following examples for why a registry is needed to help animal guardians, law enforcement and shelters protect their animals:

• Robert Rydzewski: In 2004, the then 29-year-old upstate New Yorker shot his neighbor’s dog in the face twice. Two months later, he killed another neighbor’s Welsh Corgi with an ax. Rydzewski was convicted of “torturing or injuring” an animal, and he has since been arrested for assaulting people and resisting arrest. His whereabouts are unknown.
• Shon Rahrig: While living in Ohio in 1999, Rahrig allegedly adopted several cats and a puppy from local shelters and tortured them sadistically. He poked out the eyes of a cat named Misty, broke her legs and jaw, cut off her paws, and left her bleeding in a laundry basket. His girlfriend turned him in, and he took a plea bargain that admitted abuse of only one animal. Rahrig was forbidden to own an animal for five years, but he was subsequently seen at an adoption event in California.
• Vikki Kittles: Since 1982, Kittles has been run out of four states for hoarding animals. Time and again, she has been caught housing dozens of sick, neglected animals in squalid conditions. An Oregon prosecutor convicted Kittles in 1993 after finding 115 sick and dying dogs crammed into a school bus, but she has gone on to hoard animals again in Oregon and other states several times since.

“Animal abuse is not only a danger to our cats, dogs, horses, and other animals, but also to people, said ALDF Executive Directory Stephen Wells. “Many animal abusers have a history of domestic violence or other criminal activity, and there is a disturbing trend of animal abuse among our country’s most notorious serial killers.”

Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, David Berkowtiz (“The Son of Sam”), Albert DeSalvo (“The Boston Strangler”) and Dennis Rader (Kansas’ “BTK killer”) all abused animals before their other crimes, as did many of the teenagers who went on shooting rampages at their high schools: Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris (Columbine, CO), Luke Woodham (Pearl, MS) and Kip Kinkel (Springfield, OR).

“But it’s not just about how animal abusers end up also hurting or killing humans,” said Wells. “It should be motivation enough to protect our animals from repeat offenders – and any abuse of any kind.”

Through its campaign website, ExposeAnimalAbusers.org, ALDF allows the public to urge their state lawmakers to propose legislation for state registries.

While no state has passed a bill to date, a proposal in Tennessee is currently pending. In 2008, an earlier version of this bill passed the Tennessee Senate, but stalled in the House of Representatives. The current bill’s sponsors are Rep. Janis Sontany and Senator Doug Jackson.

“We operate shelters in the hopes of giving abandoned pets a second chance at a loving home, not subjecting them to lives of continued abuse and neglect,” Florez said. “A registry of abusers would help ensure animals are not being adopted out to convicted abusers, end the cycle of abuse and increase the likelihood of finding these pets the forever home they deserve.”

About the Animal Legal Defense Fund

ALDF was founded in 1979 with the unique mission of protecting the lives and advancing the interests of animals through the legal system. Visit www.aldf.org.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund Public Registries originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on February 25, 2010.

You would like to think that cats would get a pass on this particular disease, but that’s not the case. Cats are also vulnerable to a large variety of diseases including lung and skin cancer. It just doesn’t seem fair. The bottom line is, if you suspect your cat of having something wrong with her, go see your vet. As with most cancers, the sooner it gets diagnosed, the faster you can begin treatment and hopefully eliminate it.

Signs that your cat might be afflicted with cancer vary greatly since there are so many types. They include anything from unexpected weight loss to change in behavior. The Animal Cancer Foundation and The American Veterinary Association both have excellent information about what to look for. When in doubt, check it out.

Treatments for cancer vary almost as much as the types of cancers. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments are costly but effect solutions that work in similar ways to humans. Additionally, there are some cancer-fighting drugs available at varied costs.

One solution, and the treatment I am recommending, is ES Clear for Cat Cancer by PetWellBeing.com. It is an affordable holistic alternative to other costly treatments.

As described on the product site, “ES clear is a unique combination of specially-selected herbal extracts, designed and formulated by a leading naturopathic vet.”

ES Clear has been specifically designed to:
- Restore energy levels
- Aid in the healing process
- Reduce pain and discomfort
- Strengthen your cat’s immune system
- Help slow/reduce tumors and the spread of cancer to surrounding cells

Its effectiveness has been proven many times over and the testimonials pepper the site. But one of the important benefits of this cancer-fighting remedy is its cost. It is well within the price range of the average working person who might hesitate at higher priced alternative treatments.

———
Denton Fowler wrote this article for www.PetWellbeing.com, which offers prevention and treatment products for cancer in cats and Cushings Disease in dogs.

Guest Post: Cancer in Cats originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on February 24, 2010.

Cesar and Daddy

Daddy, Ceasar Millan’s partner and beloved pet, passed away after living for 16 years! That’s a long time for most dogs, especially the larger breeds. An Emergency Animal Rescue Fund Established has been established in Daddy’s Honor. Here is the information we received about Daddy, and the fund that has been established in his honor:

Daddy, often referred to as America’s pit bull ambassador because of his gentle disposition and intelligence, lived with the Millans from the age of four months. He stood as a champion for calm-submissive pit bulls everywhere, and was instrumental in helping to repair their image as violent and uncontrollable.

As fans of Millan’s hit National Geographic Channel television series Dog Whisperer know, Daddy was a key fixture in more than 50 episodes, often assisting Millan with his toughest cases, bravely interacting with and calming the most unmanageable dogs with his natural balanced energy. Daddy helped shape the behavior of entire generations of dogs by showing them the way to balance.

Cesar states: “I’ve always seen Daddy as my teacher of life. He brought my family and me so much joy over the years. Personally, he represented what my grandfather taught me, never work against Mother Nature. He will be greatly missed, but his spirit lives on.”

Daddy’s Emergency Animal Rescue Fund will provide funding and assistance for dogs who are victims in large-scale disasters (hurricanes, fires, and other natural catastrophes), man-made disasters (hoarder and puppy mill rescues), and animal victims of abuse or violence. An initial contribution by the Millans and the “Dog Whisperer” team has established the fund in Daddy’s honor.

If you would like to honor Daddy’s memory and the contributions he made to improving the lives of animals, you can make a donation by visiting www.millanfoundation.org/daddyfund.

In Daddy’s memory, National Geographic Channel has a photo gallery posted at natgeotv.com/dogwhisperer.

Daddy, Cesar Millan’s Dog, lives to 16! originally appeared on 4 The Love of Animals on February 23, 2010.