Many of us have heard the warnings – keep your pets inside on Halloween or they could end up as satanic sacrifices.

Illustration Ryn Gargulinski

Actually, the standard line in Halloween pet safety lists reads something like: There are plenty of stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen, even killed pets on this night.

The warnings, especially the cult-related, focus on black cats, which throughout history have been considered the dark embodiment of evil.

Over the years, according to our favorite myth-busting website Snopes.com, the rumors have expanded to include white cats, the symbol of virginity and purity; black dogs, especially Doberman pinchers and Damien-esque Rottweilers; and then to all pets of all sorts.

Goats, of course, are on the list year-round. And you better hide that rabbit.

While these rumors may or may not be true, some shelters across the nation actually curtail adoptions of black cats – or any animal – during the Halloween season.

Others relay creepy stories, like two Brooklyn, N.Y., shelter workers who swear a woman came in for a black cat on Halloween dressed as a witch.

“We told her no,” Snopes quotes a worker. “We know she only wanted the cat for a Halloween ritual.”

Another shelter owner points out that cults are not going to traipse on down to a shelter, go through a background check and pay good money they could instead use for a new cauldron or something just to adopt an animal they intend to slaughter.

They’re going to take it from the streets or someone’s backyard.

Even if our pets are not likely to end up kidnapped by a satanic cult on Halloween night, it is a good idea to keep them inside.

You don’t need the headache of wondering if Fido will bolt out the gate or Fifi will attack a kid dressed as a goblin.

And even if a cult is not going to gather up your animal for slaughter, you don’t need those same yahoos who think it’s funny to throw eggs at your window to have unlimited access to your beloved pet.

After all, There are plenty of stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen, even killed pets on this night.

What do you think?

Have you heard rumors of Halloween pet abuse or sacrifices?

Have you seen it in action?

Wild horses may not be dragging anyone away – they are too busy being slaughtered and harassed, advocates say. They are also pretty tangled up in a debate about their fate.

Photo Ryn Gargulinski

While more than a million mustangs used to prance around our plains less than a century ago, the number has dwindled to fewer than 40,000. Some put the estimates at 37,000 or so, while Jody Blaylcock, lifelong horse owner and equine advocate, says it’s even lower.

“There are only 15,000 horses left in the wild in the United States (despite false and misleading numbers being circulated by the Bureau of Land Management),” she wrote in an e-mail.

Two camps are clearly drawn in the wild horse debate.

One side consists of animal advocates, like Blaylock and organizations such as the Cloud Foundation, who say wild horses should continue to roam free in the West.

The other side, which supports a recent proposal put forth by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, wants the horses moved East and Midwest where they say the population can be better cared for and controlled.

What is Salazar’s plan?

The $96 million proposal is to buy two ranches and contract with five other private ranches to house the wild horse population, according to a report in USA Today. No locations were given for any of the ranches.

Salazar supporters say wild horses will do better in this controlled environment where they won’t conflict with cattle and don’t have the threat of starving to death.

This plan, although expensive, is also supposed to save money in the long run, as keeping horses out in the West is costing a pretty penny. Or several million of them.

This year’s horse program’s price tag has been estimated at $50 million, most of which goes for food, care and moving many of the horses from the 29 million acres of federal land to private accommodations in Oklahoma, South Dakota and Kansas, the USA Today report said.

The report also quotes BLM spokesman Tom Gorey saying the wild horses should be neutered so no more than 17,500 are in the breeding population and the overall herd size should be dwindled to down 26,600.

Photo Ryn Gargulinski

Those opposing the plan have already seen the havoc wreaked by BLM, according to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“Late this summer, using helicopters, (BLM) rounded up most of the herd, 146 horses, but then let 89 go, keeping 57 to auction off,” Jonathan Storm wrote in his piece: What Menaces the Mustangs.

“Strong lobbying from ranchers, who want the federal land for their 3.2 million sheep and cattle, keeps pressure on the puny population of mustangs,” he said. His article was a review of the TV show Challenge of the Stallions, which featured wild mustang Cloud, for whom the Cloud Foundation was formed.

Animal advocates also fear what fate awaits the remaining horses.

“If the BLM gets its way the remainder will soon all be shipped to Mexico (where they are being slaughtered in the most horrific ways imaginable) or broken apart into genetically unviable herds as per Ken Salazar’s recent plan,” Blaylock said. “The ROAM act (S-1579) is before the house right now, and if passed would reinstate the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act, offering some protection to those animals who are left.”

What is the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act?

I’ll let the Wild Horse Preservation Campaign, which mentions wild horses on public lands are outnumbered by cattle 200 to 1, answer that one:

In 1971, more letters poured into Congress over the threat to our nation’s wild horses than over any issue in U.S. history, except for the Vietnam War. And so Congress unanimously passed the Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act, declaring that “wild horses and burros are living symbols of the historic and pioneer spirit of the West; that they contribute to the diversity of life forms within the Nation and enrich the lives of the American people; and that these horses and burros are fast disappearing from the American scene.” The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) were appointed to implement the Act. Most herd areas are under BLM jurisdiction.

Fast-forward thirty years: in 2001, after decades of failed herd management policies, the BLM obtained a 50% increase in annual budget to $29 million for implementation of an aggressive removal campaign; in 2004, the 1971 Act was surreptitiously amended, without so much as a hearing or opportunity for public review, opening the door to the sale of thousands of wild horses to slaughter for human consumption abroad.

Sigh.

The entire fiasco is yet another example of man versus nature, with nature losing no matter which way you turn.

Photo Ryn Gargulinski

Learn more:

Jody Blaylock, who is speaking out for horses on her own behalf, is also a member of the Pima County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse, which is its search and rescue group; the Tucson Saddle Club; and the American Quarter Horse Association. She grew up in a cattle ranch in western Oklahoma and has owned horses her entire life, including the three she now owns.

Blaylock will be giving a presentation as part of Ignite: Tucson
What: Wild horse presentation as part of Ignite: Tucson
Where: The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress St.
When: Thursday, Oct. 29 – Doors open 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m.
How much: $5

What do you think?

Are wild horses worth preserving or are they simply bothersome?

Are you sick of wildlife getting killed off or do you like how man can rule with annihilation?

Prairie dogs, which once roamed free all over Arizona grasslands before disappearing from the state, are in the process of being painstakingly re-introduced to southern Arizona.

Black-tailed prairie dog/Photo George Andrejko, AZ Game and Fish

Yet one man still saw fit to blow one to smithereens last week, according to a news release from the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

The guy, reportedly an Oro Valley deer hunter, used a high-powered 22-caliber rifle.

Prairie dogs weigh approximately 2 pounds.

The little critter was annihilated Friday morning, Oct. 23, near Sonoita, where a sign is clearly posted that says prairie dogs are off-limits.

Authorities tracked down the man after someone reported the crime. They found his vehicle Saturday evening and confronted him.

He claimed he was shooting at coyotes.

Well then, we have to give him some leeway. We can certainly see how the mix-up occurred, since prairie dogs and coyotes are so similar in stature, size and species. And why was he shooting at coyotes when he was out in a deer hunting area?

There was no mention if the man carried duct tape.

The slaughtered black-tailed prairie dog had been one of a group more than 100 imported last year from New Mexico to the area, east of Sonoita and north of State Route 82. More than 60 were introduced last month in the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area, about 50 miles southeast of Tucson.

Arizona’s black-tailed prairie dog’s population declined in the late 1800s and mid-1900s before dying out altogether.

The guy’s name is not being released pending the outcome of the investigation.

“We cannot successfully re-introduce this species to southern Arizona without protecting them,” said Don Mitchell, acting supervisor for the state Game and Fish Department in Tucson. “Let this incident serve as a warning to others not to indiscriminately shoot at wildlife.”

What do you think?

What is the mentality of someone who uses a high-powered rifle to blow away a 2-pound critter that just so happens to be off limits?

Would such a person kill a kitten or a child?

What would be a fitting punishment for killing a protected animal?

We love helping out our local animal shelters and organizations, but we don’t always have millions of dollars, or even an extra $20, to do so.

Karyn Zoldan's dog Lily may enter the Nov. 7 fundraiser's best dressed contest in her Carmen MiranDOG outfit/submitted photo

Not to fret. Two upcoming events need help and assisting with either will not cost you a penny.

Volunteer for really cool dog fest

Arizona Greyhound Rescue needs lots of volunteers for its upcoming Greyhounds & Friends Fall Festival Fundraiser. Sawyer was thrilled when I was asked to be a judge, so I’m definitely in. (No, he won’t be entering any contests with me judging.)

The gala affair will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, Ramada A.

Activities will include a host of Canines Got Talent contests, featuring best trick, best dressed, closest human/dog look-alike, best-behaved foster dog and a dog biscuit bake-off.

You’ll also get to meet foster dogs from Cold Wet Noses, Santa Cruz Humane Society, Greyhounds2Go, Greyhound Adoption League, and get to know Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary.

The $5 admission covers the entire family and includes a raffle ticket for a chance to win a shopping spree on Fourth Avenue. Other raffles, auction items and cool stuff will be for sale. Will blog a reminder with more details closer to the event date.

If you’re going to attend anyway, you may as well make it even more fun by volunteering to help. Volunteers can e-mail vOlunteer96@azgreyhoundrescue.org. (The second character in the e-mail is the numeral 0, or zero, and nobody knows why.)

Donate your old junk to ACT

The Animal Cruelty Taskforce doesn’t really want junk per se. But it does want your unwanted electronics, jewelry, fine art, collectibles or clothing for its upcoming e-mail auction fundraiser. Check your garage or behind couches for unused, but still functional, TVs, DVD players, video game systems, computers, cell phones or computer accessories.

They will do the animals more good than just sitting gathering dust.

Drop off items from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. now through Friday, Oct. 30, at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona Companions for Life Center, 3465 E. Kleindale Rd.

The auction will be held Nov. 3 and 4 and benefit Action for Animals, the joint cruelty prevention programs of the HSSAZ and ACT. Will post more details on the auction as they become available.

Please note: No proceeds from either event will go to Dumbo and Bimbo.

The terrible twosome’s wacky habits

Phoebe the barking machine/Ryn Gargulinski

Phoebe is a barking machine.

She barks – incessantly – at everything from thunder to lightning, fireworks to car doors slamming, the doorbell to a passing motorcycle.

She especially has a field day with unseen people walking behind the backyard wall. And she’s nearly breaking the sound barrier while the folks next door have workers installing and standing atop their new patio roof.

Phoebe is the reason man invented earplugs. But you can’t complain about her being a good watchdog.

Sort of.

While her barking may have deterred a few unbeknownst robbers, vacuum salesmen and serial killers who were lurking about the property, it is falling short when I need it the most.

Bird feasting on new seed/Ryn Gargulinski

My latest deployment in my war against Bermuda grass has been gouging out still more sections of the lawn and adding five bags of topsoil coupled with two bags of grass seed. Quite pricey grass seed, I may add, as it’s billed as “Miracle Grass – as seen on TV.”

I need an alert watchdog to deter the birds that have been merrily stuffing their beaks with this all-you-can-eat seed buffet.

Bird feasting on seed/Ryn Gargulinski

And where can we find our fine Phoebe the barking machine?

Phoebe "protecting" the grass seed/Ryn Gargulinski

The terrible twosome’s wacky habits is a feature that highlights the strange habits of Ryn’s dogs Sawyer and Phoebe. If you have a strange pet habit to share, please e-mail to rynski@tucsoncitizen.com

What do you think?

Should I fire her from watchdog duty?

Does your pet protect your grass seed or similarly fall short on certain duties?

Blackbirds singing in the dead of night may not happen much, but they are sure flitting about at all times of the day.

Gasquet, Calif., dumpster/Ryn Gargulinski

Southern Arizona has its fair share of the dark beauties, from the black-chinned hummingbird to the gloomy and doomy turkey vulture.

Blackbirds will be highlighted at the Free Fun Fest for Feathered Friends this Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Loft Cinema. The event is geared towards kids, but adults are more than welcome. See details below.

An awesome array of blackbirds around Tucson and Arizona can also be found at FireflyForest.net.

Some of my faves don’t live around here, but that doesn’t make them any less amazing.

Five best blackbirds (in no particular order):

Grackle – Loud, obnoxious and shriekingly annoying, these dudes are known for making a commotion. Males are black while females are a boring old brown and not quite as noisy. Some think the grackle is far more evil than the raven, but grackles prefer sitting on garbage cans rather than tombstones.

Raven – Nevermore. Ravens are associated with tombstones, death, ill omen and Edgar Allan Poe. I love them.

Sign o' the times/Ryn Gargulinski

Turkey vulture – Turkey vultures win your heart with their large, black, lush feathers, red-topped head and penchant for eating dead rotting things.

Crow – Crows have had a reverent place in my soul ever since throngs of them attacked our elementary school playground. One girl fell, screaming, and covered her head as if a tornado were coming. The crows commenced to stand around her in a circle and peck at any exposed flesh.

Black Phoebe – Never knew such a bird existed until I checked out the Arizona birds at the FireflyForest site. I adore the name, of course, which is the same as one of my dogs. Also bet this cute little feathered critter with a black head and white body barks a lot at a lot of nothing.

Freedom/Ryn Gargulinski

What: Free Fun Fest with Feathered Friends
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 – open 9:30 a.m.
Where: Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway Blvd.
More info: 309-5858
The event is presented by Opening Minds through the Arts Foundation and the Loft.
More on OMA: www.omafoundation.org

Event features free bird movies (no, not Alfred Hitchcock), free popcorn and free drawing lessons, to boot. Come early to see live birds on hand. Kids get to follow along the reading of Two Arizona Black Birds, written by the late Tucson veterinarian Milton Lipson and illustrated by David Fitzsimmons. Lispon’s wife, author and pediatrician Marilyn Heins, will be on hand as will Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons will show kids how to draw blackbirds. Ask him specifically how to draw a carrion-eating turkey vulture with extra carrion.

P.S. If you don’t eat the free popcorn, you can always smuggle it out to feed to the birds.

What do you think?

Do you adore blackbirds or find them evil?

Which blackbirds are your favorites? Your least favorite? Please explain.

Have you ever had your eyes gouged out by crows? Please send photos.

Since Halloween costumes are a hot and timely topic, let’s bring up the big question that may haunt some animal lovers every year:

Should pets don costumes for Halloween?

Dogs in drag?/Ryn Gargulinski

On the plus side, it’s cute as heck. Downright hilarious, in some cases. Anyone who has seen a daschund dressed as a hotdog, even though it’s cliché, or a kitty cat donning scuba gear knows what I mean.

Some pets actually revel in dressing up. We’ve all been amused by the fine duds donned by handsome pooch Scout and the tutu worn by Gidget, and the photos sent by owners who say their pets enjoy the attention. AZMouse’s dog Barnaby struts when he dresses sweaters.

Pets who dig donning duds will love the annual PetSmart Howl-o-ween costume contest. Contestants can show up from 6 to 8 p.m. at any PetSmart Tuesday, Oct. 20 (today!) for the pet parade and in store contest. Top winner gets a $20 gift card.

Pets who can’t make the in store contest have until Oct. 27 to submit a photo online by clicking here. Online winner gets a $150 PetSmart gift card.

Other pets are clearly miserable in costume. Those pets should be left alone. Folks should also consider the dark side of dressing up your pets before pulling them into a tutu.

Scout the biker/submitted photo

Dressing a pet in costume can confuse their fragile psyches. You can really screw up a cat by dressing him as a dog or a dog by dressing him as a cat. The latter may ignore you and stop following commands. The former may begin to chew on table legs and poop in the carpet.

It can also be hazardous. Please do not encase a pet’s head in a rubber mask. That’s like tying a plastic bag around the head of a baby. Also refrain from sequins, small buttons, rip-able ribbons and other tiny novelties that the pet can chew off and choke on.

Finally, it can stink. What happens when your costumed dog or cat decides he has to pee? Go for costumes that don’t impede the pet’s bodily functions.

Neither of my dogs is big on costumes, although Sawyer will tolerate hats, wigs and even the muumuu that ended up on my scarecrow if he knows he’ll be getting a treat.

Gidget does Swan Lake/submitted photo

What do you think?

Do your pets revel in costumes or run for the hills?

What’s the most ridiculous pet costume you’ve seen?

HOPE Animal Shelter is living up to its HOPEful name, but Tucson’s only no-kill dog and cat shelter is going through some tough financial stuff.

HOPE's Barkin' Ball is Saturday/submitted image

Yes, we know, we all are.

But these guys are living month to month and sometimes scrambling to cover the rent – not to mention the food, shelter and medical bills for dozens of rescued animals.

You can help by checking out the Barkin’ Ball this Saturday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. at St. Phillip’s Plaza. The event comes complete with live jazz, tasty eats, auctions and socializing under the stars. Dogs, of course, are welcome.

The shelter is offering a 2-for-1 special on tickets. Mention when you call or contact them.

If 2-for-1 tickets and live jazz are not enough to persuade you, consider another argument.

The Barkin’ Ball is about more than just having a good time – it’s the main fundraiser of the year that allows the shelter to keep its doors open.

The shelter takes in the unwanted, if you will – the shoe chewers, the scaredy cats, the ill or otherwise ill-behaved.

“Since HOPE’s inception, we have rescued sick, injured and behaviorally challenged dogs and cats from other local shelters,” said HOPE’s Executive Director Susan Scherl. “With medical care, including surgeries, patient socialization and lots of love from our wonderful volunteers we have been able to place these animals, who otherwise would have been euthanized, into loving forever homes.”

Can’t afford a ticket? You can still donate through the shelter’s website at HopeAnimalShelter.net so they can keep a good thing going.

Can afford a ticket? Enjoy the jazz.

What: HOPE’s annual Barkin’ Ball
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24
Where: St. Phillips Plaza, corner of East River Road and North Campbell Avenue
Tickets: $65, 50 percent of which is tax deductible
Dogs and kids age 11 and under are free
Buy tickets at the door, by phone at 792-9200 or online at HopeAnimalShelter.net

Do you donate to any animal charities?

Will you put HOPE in your will?

I don’t think my lizard Lazlo loves me. But I won’t hold it against him. He may simply not be capable.

Lazlo loves me, he loves me not/Ryn Gargulinski

He doesn’t hate me, per se, as he’s not escaped from his cage to gouge out my eyes or otherwise disfigure me. He certainly shows no discomfort.

Lazlo has exhibited signs of humor, at least twice thinking my finger was food.

That didn’t really freak me out as I have had pet rats do the same – the reason I never feed the rats bloody roast beef or finger-size chunks of chicken.

Laz has also shown joy and contentment when I do offer up the bowl of meal worms – and disgust when he’s stuck with a mustard green and cilantro day.

This is my first bout with keeping a reptile as a pet and, although I didn’t expect him to lick my hand or roll over for a belly rub, I still think that would be nice. I’m used to warm, fuzzy mammals.

It’s not like I’m asking him to come running to greet me at the door. Heck, even my dogs don’t do that.

My first inclination is to say that lizards and other reptiles do not have the capacity to love. They are too busy being prehistoric and eating meal worms.

The Turkish Delights/submitted photo

The group Turkish Delights, which performs belly dancing with a snake, explained how you can tell snake Synda is thrilled to be part of the performance with dancer Julie:

Having danced with Julie and Synda for over eight years now, I can tell you that Synda thrives during performances. She seems to enjoy the attention and new environments. You can tell a snake’s comfort level easily by how it holds its body. Synda is always relaxed and active during the dancing, demonstrating a feeling of comfort and confidence in her safety.

Others have mentioned reptiles do have the capacity to bond with their owners, know a friendly – or food bearing – finger, and defend their little log tunnels or other territory.

But none have said they can love.

Even if Lazlo never returns the favor, I’ll be giving my love to him.

What do you think?

Can reptiles love?

Are they capable of showing affection?

Never mind the traditional, uncomfortable and unraveling sweaters – you can now get your dog a Snuggie.

Lassie wears a Snuggie/Ryn Gargulinski

For those who have not yet discovered the Snuggie, it’s one of those “As Seen on TV!” items that kind of looks like monk’s garb but is meant for non-monk people.

It is especially ideal for folks who like to cocoon themselves in fleece and sit on the couch with their mouths hanging open.

The Snuggie started out with only three colors for humans, but has since evolved. It now even offers humans a leopard print version – and a version for dogs. Whee?

The selling point of the Snuggie is it’s incredible price – less than $20 – and it’s incredible comfort and warmth. You can get them at area stores – I saw them at Bed, Bath & Beyond – and online.

Don’t forget the Snuggie is a complete cloak but keeps your hands – or paws – free for easy access to your cup of tea or the TV remote so you can view more “As Seen on TV!” products for you and Fido.

The online infomercial promises the dog Snuggie will not pull or unravel like those pesky sweaters and is a whole lot easier to take on and off.

Hotdog wears a Snuggie/Ryn Gargulinski

Rather than smashing your poor pooch’s head through a small turtleneck opening and forcing his little legs through equally tiny openings, the Snuggie goes on quick and easy with fasteners across the back.

It’s available in four sizes, extra small through large, and two ugly colors: pink or royal blue. It’s also machine washable and nearly identical to the Snuggie for humans: “So you and your dog will share years of warmth and comfort.”

If a dog is likely to wear a sweater, a Snuggie seems like a viable alternative.

Although Sawyer will sit still in a wig long enough for me to snap a photo, he’s not one for sweaters or shirts. He had to wear a T-shirt once to stop him from chewing open his stomach stitches, and he had the T-shirt shredded nearly as quickly as he chewed up that cone head thing he also had to wear.

Phoebe won’t let me come near her with anything that resembles clothing.

Lil fuzzy guy wears a Snuggie/Ryn Gargulinski

What do you think?

Is a Snuggie for dogs a good idea or a waste of money?

Would your dog wear one?

Do you have a human version of the Snuggie? Do you love it?