Billie's friend Barnabas

Barnabas is sort of a relative more than a friend. He lives in Central Wisconsin with my brother and sister-in-law. No one knows exactly how old he is because he is a rescue. The most educated guess is that he is a teenager, now slowing down quite a bit from his earlier and friskier self. Barnabas poses here with a favorite flower. He's a peace-loving sort, a friend to all, and a great companion for his family. Bravo, Barnabas.

Sloth: So cute they deserve a better name

One of the wonderful resources for people who love and admire animals is the LA Times blog, launleashed. In addition to carrying news about pets and other animals from around the Southland (and beyond), the blog also includes a daily or close-to-daily dose of cute. Take for instance the baby sloth pictured being bottle fed. This photo is one among several featured on the blog. The story is about the Aviaros Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica where a number of sloth enthusiasts tend to the needs of at-risk sloths. Great story, great photos, great work. Check it out:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2010/08/baby-sloths.html

High praise for A Dog's Purpose

The following comes from Patty Hedges, who gives a glowing report of A Dog's Purpose. Patty is well qualified to write about such things. First she is a dog lover. Second, Patty was instrumental in launching (and now is part of the ministry team for) Canines at Covenant, a Sunday afternoon worship service where people can bring their dogs. If you're on the west side of Los Angeles, check it out. It's at 5 p.m. Sundays, Covenant Presbyterian in Westchester. Here's her review:

I would like to commend to you the best book I have ever read about dogs.  It is a novel called, A Dog's Purpose,  by W. Bruce Cameron.  It is written from the dog's point of view.  Mr. Cameron understands and articulates the mind of a dog better than anyone I have ever come across in my readings... and I am an avid reader!!!   And, as a dog lover, I love anything positive that is written about dogs.  Paws down this is the best dog-related book I have ever read.

Let me give you part of a review from the back cover, from Duncan Strauss, host of Talking Animals  on NPR: "I devoured it in a 'I-resent-anything-that-prevents-me-from-getting-back-to-the-book-why-do-I-have-to-work-my-kid-is-almost-six-can't-he-drive-himself-to-school?' way."

That should pretty much explain it.

Two comments: As a Christian, I do not believe in reincarnation.  Reincarnation is a part of this story.  And parts of it were just a little hard on this soft heart of mine.  Those said, if you can get past those, this is the most wonderful book!!!

--Patty Hedges

New laws assist pets/owners

California legislators recently approved several laws designed to guard pet rights and pet owner rights. Billie, of course, thinks this is grand. She might even say that, in some cases, the laws don't go far enough. The devocalizing bill, for instance, only preserves the rights of prospective tenants being discriminated against because their pets have not had the procedure. Massachusetts has banned the process completely for dogs and cats. That's pretty progressive, we think...wait...Billie? Why are you gathering all your toys and food bowl? No. We're not moving to Massachusetts. At least not yet.

Check it all out in the Los Angeles Times today.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2010/08/bills-about-fur-labeling-declawing-pet-insurance-and-animal-neglect-are-approved-by-california-lawma.html

The Lady and the Trash-Can Cat

Wow, what a drama this has been. By now I am sure that most people have seen the video of the woman in England captured on video placing a cat in a lidded trash can. First, the cat's OK. Second, the woman has been identified. But what happened in between the posting on YouTube and the identification of the woman is what catches my attention here.

What she did, with forethought (check out the video) and clear intent is appalling, to say the least. The cat might have died. Most certainly it suffered for the 15 hours it was trapped. Unless we discover there is an underlying psychological cause, I would advocate for the fullest prosecution possible. No doubt about it, she's a "bad guy."

But it's what the "good guys" did that is almost more worrisome. A Facebook page was begun (I understand it's been removed) and there actually were entries advocating the woman's death. She's under protection, understandably. As irate as I was when I first caught the video, homicide was the furthest thing from mind.

It is a sad commentary to see those who are clearly on the right side of an issue become as guilty as the party on the wrong side of the issue, display the same, if not higher, level of disregard for life, advocate a level of violence that exceeds the original offense.

I'm an animal lover from the get-go. The woman should be prosecuted, no doubt. But be killed? The Creator of us all would weep, I am certain.

National Dog Day

August 26 is National Dog Day, appropriate for these dog days of summer. Besides loving your little friends to pieces today, why not make a donation to a no-kill shelter or to a spay-neuter program. If you need some suggestions, let me know. National Dog Day has a web site. Billie says to check it out.
http://www.nationaldogday.com/index2.htm

Billie's friend Ivy

Ivy is another French bulldog who knows something of Billie's past. They both came from the same kennel in Fallbrook. Ivy now lives in Pasadena with Pug friend Oliver, feline friends Neville and Missy, and human friends Joanna and Annalise. Ivy has one blue eye and one brown, loves to be scratched under the chin, and generally serves as ambassador-at-large to the world. She is currently enrolled in obedience training with Pasanita Dog Club. When she grows up, she wants to be a therapy dog, perhaps visiting people in jails and prisons.
Good girl, Ivy.

Billie

Billie: Will you be my friend?

Meet Billie, a three-year-old French bulldog who consents to share life with me. She's not my first dog, probably not my last. 

Billie looks at all of life as a wonder. Everything's amazing, from her rag toy to the squirrel outside bouncing along the top of the block wall. Among the things that she finds wondrous are human beings, grass, other plants, cats, dogs. In this way, she embraces all of life--anything living, and some not-living things as well. All of these are her friends. 

We hope you follow our story, and weigh in with your own. All things "animal" are welcome.