Happy Birthday, Mommy!

Today my mommy turned 35!
Daddy sent her a dozen organic long-stem Esperance roses.

"Organic Bouquet believes it is their responsibility to demonstrate that business, social, and environmental interests can be successfully aligned. Their hope is to be a shining example of how the confluence of these interests can work to build a better and more sustainable future for all living beings of this beautiful planet."

SHOP ORGANIC BOUQUET

2nd Annual Birthday Benefit featured in "Windy City Times"

North Shore Animal League: Three Tears and a Smile

Recently, North Shore Animal League America rescued three Chihuahuas, who we suspect were the inbred litter from backyard breeders. All three of these precious little bundles, only 10 weeks old, have no front legs. Physical deformities such as these are often the result of irresponsible breeding. While we are happy that the breeders chose to surrender these puppies to a shelter instead of fates far worse, we are saddened that the terrible misfortune of the deformities had to happen at all.

The terrible reality of backyard breeding is nothing new. We see it over and over again and the heartbreaking sadness of it never subsides. Backyard breeders are those who breed their animals for various inappropriate reasons. Often, they do not have bad intentions or even realize that they are contributing to a huge problem, but they are. Backyard breeders often breed animals with the intentions of making money or just imagining how cute it would be if their pet had babies, and what wonderful babies they'd make.

BUT:

~ Where will those babies go?

~ Who will take care of them?

~ Is it safe for the mother animal?

~ Will the babies survive; will it be without incident or harmful repercussions?

It is a common misconception that puppy mills make up the majority of irresponsible breeding. Though puppy mills do contribute, backyard breeding actually makes up more than half of irresponsible breeding. Too often, irresponsible breeding churns out imperfect or unwanted animals who eventually wind up abandoned in shelters, left out to die, sold as healthy pets in pet stores, victims in research laboratories, or wind up as pets to irresponsible owners who perpetuate irresponsible breeding.

North Shore Animal League America rescued the Chihuahua puppies as part of our out-of-state rescue mission. One of our sister shelters, who did not have the proper facilities to care for the pups, reached out and asked for our help. They knew that without the proper care and environment, the puppies would most likely end up being euthanized. Without hesitation, we scooped up the puppies and rushed them to our advanced facility, eager to get them evaluated medically and emotionally.

When you first see these little guys, it seems like a veil of tears. They didn't have to be this way, and it seems so unfair. They are so tiny and seem helpless. How will they ever manage? But after a few moments, those tears of sorrow and dismay turn to a smile of hope and faith. They can manage - they will manage, and North Shore Animal League America is going to help them.

Two females and a male - all in good health - are hopping around, playing, barking, pouncing, and learning to use their back legs to stand upright. We have named them Venus de Milo, Carmen and Pablo. They have no idea that they are disadvantaged and seem very happy to have each other and to be alive. They are as sweet as can be and get around surprisingly well.

Marley opening a package from Lenny the Pug's Luxuries

Lilly's 1st birthday party fundraiser for Animal Haven!

Lilly's Turning 1!

To commemorate this occassion, she would like to invite all her friends to where it all began, Animal Haven SoHo.

Lilly is a warm & generous cockapoo with a big heart and instead of asking for yummy bones and chew toys, she would like to donate to Animal Haven so that future pups (& cats) may too find a good home.

What:
Off-leash play
Treats for all pups
Snacks & non-alcoholic beverages for all human family members
Surprise special guests!

Where:

Animal Haven SoHo

403 Broome Street
(between Lafayette & Centre)
2nd Floor

New York NY 10013

When:

Saturday, May 5th 4pm - 6:30pm

Who:

Hosted by Lilly and her loving human, Kristine
All small dogs invited

Cost:

$10/person (not per pet)

100% of all proceeds will go towards Animal Haven SoHo!

R.S.V.P.:

lillybits@gmail.com

We hope to see you there :)

*Please note: Accidents are bound to happen, but YOU are responsible for cleaning up after YOUR own dog(s)!

Ride in style!

Tougher toys for strong chewers

One of my favorite "safe" foods and treats

Stella & Chewy’s is an all-natural, raw, frozen-fresh and freeze-dried petfood, made exclusively from human-grade free-range meats, ground bones, and fresh organic vegetables.

Candy makes the world sweeter!

Go Orange for Animals!

Lenny LOVES sushi!

Real, the theme of a custom shirt or as plush toys, Lenny simply cannot get enough sushi!

Ban Raccoon Dog Fur and Demand Proper Labeling!

Dear Advocates,

The federal Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act, H.R. 891, would require that all apparel containing any quantity of fur is accurately labeled—regardless of the fur’s monetary value—and also ban completely the sale and import of fur from raccoon dogs, members of the dog family native to China killed in large numbers for their fur.

Under current law, products containing quantities of fur valued under $150 can be sold in American stores without accurate labels. Consumers with ethical objections or allergies to fur may think a lack of a label means that they’re buying “faux” fur—but sadly, this is not always true.

What You Can Do
Please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center today, where you can email a letter to your representative urging him or her support and cosponsor the Dog and Cat Fur Prohibition Enforcement Act. You’ll also find additional information about how this Act will change current labeling laws for the better.

Thank you for supporting the ASPCA.

Who said black-tie required?

Looking dapper in my tuxedo with tails.

Canine Couture Trunk & Fashion Show to benefit Animal Haven

We Did It, New York--Animal Program Funding Is Saved!

Dear New York Advocates,

Thanks to your efforts, the New York legislature restored funding to two crucial animal welfare programs during last-minute negotiations to finalize a state budget by the April 1 deadline. The budget now awaits Governor Spitzer’s signature!

The governor’s initial budget proposal would have cut $150,000 from the Animal Population Control Fund and $100,000 from the Pet Dealer Licensing Law to instead pay the salaries and fringe benefits of state employees. These cuts would have devastated these programs, even though our state’s need for low-cost spay/neuter services, and consumer complaints about pet dealers, continues to rise.

What You Can Do
Your letters calling for action were answered, and now it’s only appropriate to thank those who helped save New York’s animal program-friendly budget.

Please visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to send a letter of thanks to Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and your own state representatives.

Great job, New York! With your help, we really made a difference!

Pet foods NOT on recall list

Compliments of the PetsitUSA.com BLOG:

With the massive pet food recall that is going on, I have had people asking me what pet food is safe. At this point, feeding our pets any commercially prepared food can feel quite risky. The following companies have made statements that their food is not affected by the Menu Foods recall. Keep in mind that we are not ?recommending? any of these foods. Rather, we?re compiling a list of foods that are reported safe by the manufacturers.

For those with just the business name listed, we have obtained information from their websites. We will be contacting them for further information and will update the list appropriately as soon as possible.

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT SHARING THIS LIST: Obviously we want the word to get out to as many people as possible about what is and is NOT on the recall list. This list is meant to be shared, but rather than copying and pasting the list on other websites, please direct people to this post. That way people will have the most up-to-date version. I?d hate to remove a business name because of new findings and have that not show up on other versions of the list.

Click HERE for the complete and regularly updated list!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Can you believe this is me at only 6 hours old?!



Photo credit: Shaina Fishman
And this is me now -- 2 years old TODAY!