Taco Bell Chihuahua passes on to the rainbow bridge

Taco Bell Chihuahua Dies
by Sonia Zjawinski Jul 22nd 2009 2:00PM
Categories: Dogs, Pets in the News, Loss and Healing
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R.I.P. Photo: Chris Weeks/Getty ImagesWhile Paris Hilton is credited with bringing chihuahuas to the red carpet, it was Gidget who brought lilliputian pups to the mainstream. Best known for her gender bending role as a suave male chihuahua in the Taco Bell ad campaign, Gidget passed away Tuesday night at the age of 15. "She made so many people happy," Gidget's trainer, Sue Chipperton told People.com. "Gidget always knew where the camera was." Taco Bell's dog-centric commercials first aired in 1997 debuting the catchphrase "¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!" Further slogans "Drop the chalupa!" and "Viva Gorditas!" soon followed. Gidget shared the spotlight for some time with another chihuahua, Dinky, who played her female love interest, but as with most Hollywood stories, Gidget snatched the spotlight for herself. After Taco Bell retired the commercials in 2000, Gidget went on to play Bruiser's mom in "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde" (check her out at 9:05 in this clip) along with a cameo in a Geico commercial.

Missing dog found after 9 years.Dont give up!!!!

Missing Dog Found After 9 Years
By KRISTEN GELINEAU,
AP
posted: 3 HOURS 34 MINUTES AGO
comments: 56
filed under: Good News

SYDNEY (July 30) - Nine years after vanishing from outside her Australian family's home, Muffy the dog was found alive and well this month in another backyard — 1,200 miles away — officials said Thursday.
Inspectors with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals were investigating a possible animal cruelty case at a home in the southern city of Melbourne two weeks ago when they found the fluffy white mutt sleeping outside on a scrap of cardboard, Victoria state RSPCA spokesman Tim Pilgrim said.Skip over this content

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A microchip in Muffy's neck identified her owners, and, after a few days of searching for a current phone number, officials tracked down Natalie Lampard, who hadn't seen Muffy since the pooch disappeared from her backyard in the eastern city of Brisbane nine years ago.
"When the RSPCA described her, I told them her name; I knew immediately it was our Muffy," Lampard said. "It was totally out of the blue — after nine years, I thought she was long gone."
The owners of the Melbourne house where Muffy was discovered said they found the dog about a year ago wandering along a street, Pilgrim said. But where had Muffy spent the previous eight years? And how did she get all the way to Melbourne — about 1,200 miles (2,000 kilometers) from Brisbane?
"Nobody knows," Pilgrim said. "The mystery continues for old Muffy."
Muffy was suffering from a severe allergic reaction to fleas and has been under treatment since the RSPCA removed her from the Melbourne home, Pilgrim said. The dog, which the Lampards originally adopted from an RSPCA shelter near Brisbane, is recovering well and should be in good enough shape to fly back home on Tuesday, Pilgrim said.
Lampard got Muffy as a gift for her now 17-year-old daughter Chloe, and the two had been inseparable, Lampard said.
"After the RSPCA called, I rang my daughter and asked her if she was sitting down, then told her they'd found Muffy," Lampard said. "She's over the moon and there'll be a few tears shed when they see each other again. But just how she got down to Melbourne I guess is a mystery that will never be answered."
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2009-07-30 08:37:01

Family Cat accidently euthanized

Family's Cat Accidentally Euthanized
by Paul Ciampanelli Jul 27th 2009 11:59PM
Categories: Cats, Pets in the News, Loss and Healing
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Photo: Corbis
In medicine, even a minor problem can lead to complications or malpractices that result in the unexpected death of a loved one. We are, at least on some level, conditioned for the possibility. But we don't expect to bring an animal companion to a vet for something fairly routine and then find our pet unnecessarily and accidentally put down. But according to a report in the St. Petersburg Times, Maria Velez and her young son lived that very nightmare when their cat, Buddy, was euthanized by a local animal shelter after a paperwork mix-up.The unfortunate sequence of events that ended with Buddy's untimely death began when Velez asked a friend, Debra Yarzab, to look after Buddy while she was out of town. Yarzab agreed and went to Velez's house each day to feed and play with the lonesome but friendly cat. During one of these visits, Buddy bit Yarzab. She ignored it as a non-incident, but a few days later the bite wound had swelled, sending her to the doctor.By this time, Velez had returned home. Because Buddy hadn't been vaccinated and his bite required medical attention, the health department ordered Velez to bring him to Hernando County Animal Services for quarantine pending testing for rabies. The tests eventually showed that Buddy was disease free, and he was cleared to go home.Normally, this is where the story ends.
But when Velez went to the shelter to retrieve Buddy, she was presented with a different cat. Though the cat resembled Buddy in its color patterns, it was skinnier, had a different face, and was missing its tail. Further investigation revealed the terrible truth: Buddy was dead. He had been put down after being mixed up on paper with his skinny, tailless look-alike whose owner had given permission for euthanization."I was horrified," Velez said. "My poor baby.""This was just one of those tragedies that happens, but we don't want it to happen again," said Leana Teague, the animal services manager.Velez wasn't quite appeased by this non-apology. "They said, 'It happens. We don't live in a perfect world, and Buddy paid the ultimate price,'" Velez said. She explained that apart from barely taking responsibility for their mistake, the shelter showed little to no compassion for Velez's loss. "They're cruel,'" Yarzab said.The shelter claimed that they do feel badly about the incident. "It tears the staff up. I know it's more tragic for the owner, but it's terrible for us. It's not what we do," Teague said. She met with her staff today to discuss ways to improve communication and prevent further unnecessary tragedies.Do you have a similar story? Have you and your pet ever been the victims of unnecessary suffering due to negligence? Share your experience in the comments.

Attention Rescues and Shelters in Cincinnati area

Dear animal friends,
First of all let me introduce myself....My name is Kelly Graham and Iam the assistant manager at bestfriends Petcare here in Montgomery,OH.We are a boarding, training, grooming and day camp facility for animals.We here at Bestfriends Petcare have an exciting program for you asrescues and shelters to earn some extra cash to help out your rescues.The program is called Rescue Friends Program. This is how itworks......We bring you the postcards that you give to your newadoptable parents. If they need any of those services we offer send themto us with that postcard filled out and we will give your rescue $20.00each card we get. ALSO the new client will get $20 off their bill for trying us out!! How easy is this to get some free $$$$MONEY$$$$$ Everlittle bit helps! So if you are interested in this free program to help out your rescuesplease contact me Kelly at 513-489-6300(w) or you can email me atcin@bestfriends.com

Preparing the dog for a new baby

Avoid Problems by Preparing the Family Dog for Baby’s Arrival

The arrival of a new baby into the family can create unanticipated problems for dog owners. The story of the Kentucky newborn snatched from his crib illustrates that even a beloved family pet go be a serious, if unintentional, threat.

Problems can be avoided with a little advance planning, according to Brie Huddleston , a professional dog trainer with Best Friends Pet Care. “It’s important to include the family dog in preparations for the new arrival,” says Brie. “Otherwise, he may become anxious about his role in the family and act up. Even simple curiosity about a strange new creature in the home can make him a potential danger.”

She recommends the following:

1) Introduce the sounds, sights and smells of a new baby well in advance of the due date. Play a recording of a baby crying and the musical toy you plan to use in the crib. Use a doll to role play how you will hold and care for your baby. Apply baby powder and baby lotion to your hands and to the doll so he gets used to the smell.

2) Refresh your dog’s training skills well before baby arrives. A well-trained dog who obeys your commands is one of the best safeguards for your new baby. Enroll in a basic training or a refresher course and be sure to practice with him. Be sure your dog knows the “down” command and that you use whenever baby enters the room.
3) Gradually decrease the time you spend with your pet. You’ll have less time for him once baby comes and a gradual shift will make the transition. If you have a high-energy dog who needs lots of exercise, enroll him in a doggy day camp program a few days a week.

4) Supervise every interaction. No matter how well-trained, a dog’s reaction to a baby is unpredictable. Never leave them alone together. Know where your dog is at all times and don’t give him freedom to roam. Closely watch his reaction to baby; if you see any sign of stress or aggression, seek help from a professional trainer. If serious behavioral problems can’t be resolved, it may be best to find a new home -- both for the safety of the newborn and the well-being of the pet.

Brie Huddleston has been a professional dog trainer for years now. She is a certified Canine Good Citizen evaluator and uses positive reinforcement training methods. She offers private training throughout the Cincinnati area and group classes at the Best Friends Pet Care Cincinnati,OH.i For more information, visit http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/ or call 888-FOR-PETS.


Here’s a link to the original story about the KY incident: (http://bit.ly/1uxNO).

Chihuahua Survives 3 days w/BBQ Fork in Brain

Chihuahua Survives 3 Days With BBQ Fork in Brain
by Kristen Seymour Jul 14th 2009 5:00PM
Categories: Dogs, Pets in the News

Photo: SWNS.comHere's one dog you probably won't find begging grill-side any time soon.Smokey, a 12-week-old chihuahua puppy, ended up with a large barbecue fork in his brain after the utensil snapped in half on the grill, flew through the air, and impaled the poor puppy's head, reports the Telegraph. The terrified pup then ran off into the woods, where he hid for two days.When his owner Hughie Wagers finally found him, Smokey was taken straight to the Cumberland Valley Animal Hospital, in London, Kentucky, where Michelle Duncum was on duty. Duncum said, "[W]hen he brought him in we couldn't believe our eyes."X-rays showed that the fork was actually in the dog's brain, so the vet, Dr. Keaton Smith, only gave Smokey a 50/50 chance of surviving its removal. The operation itself only took about 30 seconds -- they just shaved Smokey's head and pulled the fork out. Thankfully the pint-sized pup is recovering wonderfully."His nerve endings around the eye still seem to be a little slow but I think that will heal over time," said Smith. "He really is a little miracle."Warning: Graphic photo after the jump.

Photo: SWNS.com

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Update on Clifton house animals!!!

Another employee and I went over the day of the adoption to check at some dogs. As you know I lost my baby Chances last month. I really wasn't ready for another dog but when I saw these poor dogs in need I jumped on it and went right over there. There was such a huge crowd wanting to adopt, I knew that all the animals would get homes. And I'm happily to say they did! Not be me though...lol I would be divorced if I brought 20 dogs, 1 cat and 2 birds home. So to the adopters I want to say thank you for giving your heart out to these great animals. They deserve better love than that woman gave them.

Images: Pets Up For Adoption

http://www.wlwt.com/video/20092881/

Landlord Shocked By Squalid Conditions In Home
Police Remove Dozens Of Animals From Residence
POSTED: 3:59 pm EDT May 12, 2009UPDATED: 5:25 pm EDT May 12, 2009

CINCINNATI -- Two dozen animals were removed Monday from a Clifton Heights home after neighbors complained of a foul odor, and police found squalid conditions inside.
The resident still has not been located, and the home's owner said he was shocked by what his tenant left behind.
Images: Tour The Home
"I can't believe it," said Don Scola. "You never dream of this stuff. There was nobody here, and they didn't tell me that they left or anything."
Scola said the woman identified herself as Wendy Hitsem, but no searches turned up anyone by that name anywhere in Ohio.
Police found 19 dogs, two birds and a cat left unattended inside the two-story, cottage-style home, and the stench from inside bothered neighbors outside.
"There was a complaint because they thought somebody had died in there," said neighbor Jen Lader. "It was that bad."
Veterinarians are examining the animals, which include some purebred bulldogs and Chihuahuas.
"Most of them are middle age to older that I've seen so far," said Dr. Tammy Goforth, of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
She said the animals generally were in good health, considering their living conditions.
Police have not said whether they intend to charge the tenant, if she is found.
Neighbors said they had not seen her in several days prior to the discovery of the animals.
Copyright 2009 by WLWT.com. All rights reserved

UPDATE!!!!!Dismissal sought for Columbus fireman who killed dogs - :: Cincinnati news story :: LOCAL 12 WKRC-TV in Cincinnati

Dismissal sought for Columbus fireman who killed dogs - :: Cincinnati news story :: LOCAL 12 WKRC-TV in Cincinnati

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This story made me cry....Good hearted people!

Little dog gone, not forgotten
By Cindy Schroeder • cschroeder@nky.com • June 8, 2009


COVINGTON - It's been almost a week since Baby's death, but the condolences still keep pouring in for the lovable little Schnauzer that tugged at a community's heart strings.


Last July, Baby joined Sandi "Stoney" Stonebraker's household when the MainStrasse business owner opened her side door to find a cardboard box with a handwritten note on top. Inside was a trembling black dog wrapped in a faded Winnie the Pooh blanket.
"I'm sorry to show up on your doorstep but my master lost our home," the note said. "Please take care of me or find someone that (will) be good to me as I'm old, 15 years, blind, hard of hearing...and no money to see a doctor...My name is Baby."
For nearly a year, Baby shared a home with Stoney and her two other strays - Joey, a geriatric poodle mix, and Kita, a frisky gray and white cat. During that time, Stoney continued her search for the elderly, gray-haired stranger who neighbors had spotted gazing into her yard on the day she found Baby.
Stoney told Baby's story in the newspaper. She posted updates on her Facebook account, and even stopped people on the street in search of the little dog's original owner. But it was to no avail.
"I always pictured Baby's owner having to go into a nursing home or leaving town to go live with his children because of his health," Stoney said. "On some level, I hope he knows that I did everything I could to make her last year wonderful. I wrapped her in my love, and she loved me back."
After Baby's story appeared in The Enquirer last August, the little Schnauzer became a celebrity of sorts.
"I'd be out walking her on the promenade, and people would drive by and roll down their windows and say, 'Is that Baby?''' Stoney recalled. "Everyone wanted to meet her."
Last week, Stoney made the final call to the vet that she'd been dreading for some time. Baby was sleeping all but one or two hours a day, coughing up stuff and "she was so thin you could feel her bones."
"Even though she was sleeping 22 or 23 hours a day, she was a regular little Energizer bunny when she was awake," Stoney said. "She still had that perky little step, and I'll never forget how she tilted her little head."
Baby was buried last Wednesday in the backyard where she would sit for hours in nice weather.
Since then, Stoney has accepted flowers, cards and numerous phone calls and e-mails offering condolences for the little dog.
Someone sent a figurine of a Scottie with a halo over his head. A woman "who didn't have a dime" sent a homemade bookmark. Friends gave Stoney a dogwood to plant near the sidewalk that Baby walked each day.
"If I could talk to Baby's owner, I would want to thank him for his special gift," Stoney said. "Baby inspired me and brought out something in me that wasn't there before. She was a special doggie that touched people's hearts."

Big Wendy the muscular whippet
Rare genetic mutation increases muscles, weight of sleek breed
Kim Westad, Times ColonistPublished: Monday, June 25, 2007
People mistake her for a pitbull with a pinhead, but Wendy the whippet is one rare breed.
So rare that the Central Saanich dog recently graced the New York Times. She also had several of her photos shown on The Today Show, all because of a rare genetic mutation that has led to her being the Incredible Hulk of dogs.
Wendy is a 27-kilogram rippling mass of muscle. Forget the so-called six-pack stomach: Wendy has a 24-pack. And the muscles around her neck are so thick, they look like a lion's ruff.
View Larger Image
Wendy the Whippet has a genetic disorder that has resulted in an exceptionally muscular appearance.
Bruce Stotesbury, Times Colonist


"People have referred to her as Arnold Schwarzenegger," says doting owner Ingrid Hansen, stroking Wendy's sleek black coat and white chest.
Wendy was recently part of a genetics study done in the U.S. on mutation in the myostatin gene in whippets, which resemble greyhounds in appearance. The National Institute of Health study reported that whippets with one single defective copy of the gene have increased muscle mass that can enhance racing performance in the breed, known for speeds up to 60 kilometres an hour.
But whippets with two mutated copies of the gene become "double-muscled," like Wendy. It has been seen before in one human, and also in mice, cattle and sheep, says the study.
The uber-muscled whippets are called "bullies," not because of their nature -- Wendy likes nothing better than a good back scratch and isn't shy about sitting in your lap to ask for one -- but because of their size. She's about twice the weight of an average whippet, but with the same height and small narrow head -- and the same size heart and lungs, which means she probably won't live as long as normal whippets.
Hansen has had Wendy, now four, since she bought the dog from a Shawnigan Lake breeder when she was eight months old.
Wendy landed in clover. She lives on an acreage, runs around with other dogs and horses, sleeps on Hansen's bed and pretty much anywhere else she wants to.
People are often afraid when the muscle-bound dog runs up to them on her dainty whippet-thin legs, but they soon realize she's friendly, Hansen said.

7 Poisonous Plants to Avoid With Dogs

In the Spring and Summer no one wants to stay indoors, especially dogs. The trees are green, the flowers are in bloom, and the air is fresh. But beware! Many toxins lurk in our very own gardens and yards that can be very hazardous to our pets health. A few common plants to keep your dogs away from are:

· Bulbs – Amarylis, Daffodil, Elephant Ear, Hyacinth, Iris, Tulip. The bulb is the poisonous part, so beware particularly with those dogs that like to dig.

· Ferns – Asparagus Fern, Emerald Feather, Lace Fern, Plumosa Fern. Many of these can be grown in a hanging pot, just make sure pieces of the plant or its berries do not fall to the floor.

· Flowering Plants – Cyclamen, Kalanchoe.

· Garden Perennials - Charming Dieffenbachia, Christmas Rose, Flamingo Plant, Foxglove, Morning Glory

· Lillies – Glory Lily. These are not only toxic to dogs, but cats as well.

· Shrubs – Cycads, Heavenly Bamboo, Holly, Shrubs are one of the deadliest garden plants.

· Trees – Avocado, Buddist Pine, Japanese Yew, Macadamia Nut, Madagascar Dragon, Schefflera.

These are just a few of the many poisonous plants that can affect our pets. Read more about toxic and non toxic plants affecting pets at the ASPCA's website or dowload a complete list of all toxic plants for dogs.

Looking for a Dog Park in Cincinnati?

Check these out:

Kellogg Park Dog Field

6701 Kellogg Ave.

Cincinnati, OH

Mt. Airy Forest Dog Park

Westwood Northern Blvd.

Cincinnati, OH

Wiggly Field Dog Park

8070 Tylersville Rd.

West Chester, OH 45069

Otto Armleder Memorial Dog Park

3960 Pennsylvania Ave.

Cincinnati, OH 45226

Deerfield Dog Park in Schappacher's Park

Old Irwin Simpson Road

Deerfield, OH 45040

Symmes Township Park

11600 Lebanon Road

Loveland, OH 45140

Please be mindful of other dogs and dog owners when attending local Dog Parks. Have your dog vaccinated first, and if your dog is aggressive in any way, don't bring him along.

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