animals
by Rynski on Nov.19, 2009, under animals, cats, dogs, events, hope animal shelter, life, pet events, pet products, pets
Crafty way to help the critters: HOPE sale Saturday
Arts, crafts and some yummy goodies will be served up Saturday at HOPE Animal Shelter’s Craft and Bake Sale.
All proceeds from the sale, with food and items lovingly made by HOPE volunteers, will go to help the animals.
You may find treasures at the sale/Art and photo Ryn Gargulinski
HOPE is Tucson’s only no-kill dog and cat shelter and, like the rest of the world, can use all the extra help it can get through this economic crap.
We’re not sure what types of craft you’ll find. Part of the fun of such sales is the wide and interesting variety. Heck, you may be lucky enough to snag a crocheted Santa Claus toilet paper cover.
What: HOPE Craft and Bake Sale
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21
Where: Outside HOPE Animal Shelter, 2011 E. 12th St.
For more info on the sale or the shelter, visit HOPEanimalshelter.net
Sawyer Says: Go.
What’s the coolest thing you ever got from a craft sale? The cheesiest?
Are you a bake sale fan? Are they more fun or less fun than cake walks?
Did you ever bake or make a craft for a sale and have everyone laugh in your face?
by Rynski on Nov.18, 2009, under animal cruelty, animals, life, wildlife
Two Arizona hunters busted for illegal antics
Two guys from Willcox won’t be hunting ’round here no more after being busted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, according to a news release from the agency.
Game and Fish's John Bacaorn and crew don't fool around/submitted photo
In addition to lifetime and lengthy state license revocations, the dudes were fined more than $12,000.
A six-month Arizona Game and Fish investigation, complete with search warrants, revealed the two were illegally taking wildlife in the Willcox area.
Jared A. Youngs, 22, got a $6,000 fine and had his state hunting and fishing privileges suspended for life.
His hunting buddy Josh L. Ferrigna, 24, was slapped with a $1,500 fine and a 15-year license suspension.
These civil fines, administered by Game and Fish last month, compounded the nearly $5,000 the men already owe from criminal charges late last year.
The duo received a hefty 22 citations from Game and Fish. These included knowingly taking wildlife: during a closed season, at night with artificial night, without a hunting license and with the aid of a vehicle. They were also cited for wasting game meat and trespassing on private property while killing off their prey.
“All of these animals were killed in farm fields around the Willcox area at night,” said John Bacaorn, wildlife manager for Game and Fish. “During interviews, these individuals were asked why they had engaged in this type of activity, and their responses were they just got caught up in the excitement and the adrenaline rush.”
Perhaps they are lucky no landowners got an excited, adrenaline rush when the two were trespassing on private property.
What do you think?
Have you ever engaged in un-sportsmanlike or illegal conduct like this pair? If so, please e-mail your name and address to Game and Fish.
Do you think their punishment is too lenient, too harsh?
by Rynski on Nov.18, 2009, under animal cruelty, animals, life, wildlife
Horses, wildlife blamed for lax border security
Anyone who wonders how so many illegal immigrants sneak across the border every year need not wonder any longer.
Sauve moi!/Ryn Gargulinski
One big reason is because of the horses, according to an e-mail from the office of Congressman Rob Bishop’s office.
You see, some of the land near the border area is protected by environmental laws. This means Border Patrol agents can’t just go blasting through the areas in heavy duty vehicles and machinery.
They have to wait for horses to be delivered to them so they can instead tread naturally on horseback. The wildlife that’s being protected by using the horses is another major cause. Damn animals. They are really wrecking it all down there.
Bishop (R-Utah) recently shared a bunch of documents with The Washington Times which, in turn, wrote about environmental issues hindering border security. Bishop is ranking member of the Resources Subcommittee on Parks, Forests and Public Lands and chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus.
“In a remarkably candid letter to Congressman Rob Bishop, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said her department has had to delay pursuits of illegal immigrants while waiting for horses to be brought in so agents don’t impede upon protected lands, and warns that illegal immigrants will increasingly make use of remote, protected areas to avoid being caught,” according to The Washington Times.
It may seem silly for the agents to be so worried about protecting the land since we highly doubt drug smugglers and their ilk are paying particular attention to it.
But if the agents don’t pay attention, they may be slapped with a hefty fine.
Well preserved environment/Ryn Gargulinski
“The documents (shared by Bishop) also show the Interior Department has charged the Homeland Security Department $10 million over the past two years as a ‘mitigation’ penalty to pay for damage to public lands that agencies say has been caused by Border Patrol agents chasing illegal immigrants,” The Times continues.
None of this is anything new. Anyone who has been to any type of meeting on the virtual fence or other border security issues knows the environmental groups show up en masse.
Border lights may be too bright. Towers may be too tall. Other security measures may be too intrusive.
On the other side of the fence, so to speak, we get those who don’t give a hoot about any type of wildlife if it interferes with our human pursuits. Never mind if the animals were here first or that we are successfully adding many to the ever-growing endangered list.
So should we just rape the land in the name of border security? Or should we hold back and save the wildlife while society may suffer?
It’s just too bad the wildlife don’t get it, and perhaps pick one side of the border or the other to make their home rather than screwing it all up by trying to live free in the middle.
What do you think?
Is protecting our nation’s security more important than protecting wildlife?
Should we stop building anything that may impede with wildlife?
Is there a happy medium?
by Rynski on Nov.17, 2009, under animals, cats, dogs, events, life, pet events, pet products, pets
Tucson’s biggest pet party needs your help
Tucson’s – and Arizona’s – biggest pet party is heading our way in February, but now is the time to get on the bandwagon.
Sawyer and Phoebe discuss if they want to volunteer or rent a booth/Ryn Gargulinski
The Arizona Animal Fair, an annual free event for people and pets, is hitting Reid Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20.
Hosted by SAFE, or Saving Animals From Euthanasia, the fair is billed as the largest event of its kind in the state and one of the largest in the whole Southwest.
Demonstrations, doggie dancing, pet psychics and photography meet with food, live music, low-cost vaccinations and mircochipping for a festive and fabulous event.
Don’t miss the petting area, which will feature horses, burros, llamas and even potbellied pigs. I want to pet a llama.
Want to do more than just show up?
Volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors and vendors are wanted.
Volunteer – More than 100 big-hearted animal lovers are needed to help make the fair happen. Volunteering can be as simple as helping to set up or as elaborate as helping to coordinate the event in progress.
Sponsor – Spend as little as $25 – or as much as $10,000 – to sponsor the event. Sponsorship will not only give you a cozy feeling that you are helping the fair happen, but you’ll also get your business’s name out in front of some 8,000 folks expected to attend the event.
Exhibitor/vendors – Got art? Food? Schmancy collars and leashes? A non-profit that caters to animals? Booths are available for a variety of prices, depending on the organization, and grants from SAFE are even available for qualifying non-profits. Application deadline is Jan. 23, space permitting, and a host of folks have already signed up. These include Doggie Diva Pet Care, Protect Police K-9s, Cause for Paws and dozens of others.
All proceeds from the event go to help the animal rescue community.
For more information or to download vendor and other applications, visit AZAnimalFair.com.
Folks can also call Roxanne at CatScratch Events 275-0445 or e-mail roxanne@azanimalfair.com.
Have you been this annual event?
What’s your favorite part of it?
by Rynski on Nov.16, 2009, under animals, dogs, events, life, pet events, pets
VIDEO: Behind the scenes at the Tucson Dog Show
Being behind the scenes at the Tucson Dog Show at the Pima County Fairgrounds makes for some interesting video – but don’t take my word for it, check it out below.
Best puppy winner Jelly with Gail Skee from Silver City, N.M./Ryn Gargulinski
Highlight: Definitely the people. Schmoozing with dog lovers, especially those so into the pooches that they are willing to spend days traveling and hours preparing, is a hoot. Some have even dedicated their entire lives to dog shows. Not a bad gig, as one handler and groomer said, if you don’t mind dogs on the mind, in the house, and dominating your life 24/7.
Lowlight: I think I heard one woman crying after her dog did something weird in the ring. Don’t know what it was but folks were asking her “Are you alright?” and her dog, a Doberman Pincher, was shaking a stuffed toy as if he wanted to kill it. Maybe the dog bit a judge? Nah, there’s no way I would have missed that one on video.
Note: Video quality suffers due to high compression currently necessary to view videos on this site.
Thanks to all the folks who let me sneak up on them with the video camera. And there were dozens of them, too many to include them all in the finished product. Here’s a rundown of those who do appear, in order of appearance:
Behind the scenes/Ryn Gargulinski
Cooper, show dog Golden Retriever
Fantasy (aka My Joy Fantasy Dreamer), show dog Sheltie with Joyce Van Kirk
Macy, show dog Golden Retriever with Sabine Werner from Phoenix
Casey Kilcullen-Steiner on unloading equipment, from Tucson
Jelly, best puppy winner Golden Retriever with Gail Skee from Silver City, N.M.
Karen Blisard in Bucket Bitch shirt from Silver City, N.M.
Citation, show dog Sheltie with Gayle Eades from Anza, Calif.
Longtime judge, from Mesa who chased me away before I could get his name
Gina, show dog
Also: Check out dog show slide show by Sawyer’s friend Mark Evans by clicking here.
Do you love dog shows? Why or why not?
by Mark B. Evans on Nov.15, 2009, under animals, dogs, events, life, pet events, pets
Tucson Dog Show slide show
Sawyer’s friend (sort of) Mark attended the Tucson Dog Show Saturday and Sunday and snapped some photos.
The show is put on every November by the Tucson and Sierra Vista kennel clubs. This year more than 2,000 dogs from around the country were entered in the four days of shows.
The dogs compete in best of breed competitions in the morning and early afternoon, then each breed winner competes in the seven group competitions: hounds, non-sporting, working, terriers, sporting, toys and herding. The winners of each group then compete for Best in Show.
The show was held at the Pima County Fair Grounds Nov. 13-16.
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Also: Check out Rynski’s Behind the Scenes at the Dog Show VIDEO by clicking here.
When employees at a West African animal sanctuary buried chimpanzee Dorothy, they figured it would be a solemn occasion with some mourning.
Illustration Ryn Gargulinski
But they didn’t necessarily expect the mourning to come from the other chimpanzees.
The chimps, who live in the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center, not only remained absolutely silent, but they leaned on and embraced each other, according to a report in our fave Big Apple paper, the New York Post.
Dorothy was in her late 40s, a good age for a chimp, and died of heart failure.
While the tribute may have been touching, it’s not all that surprising.
Even our pets who live together definitely know when a family member – human or animal – dies.
Birds sit stoic on their perches. Cats slump next to their best friend’s cubby hole. Dogs appear morose, staring at the pillow where their beloved used to sleep.
Phoebe in glee/Ryn Gargulinski
On the flip side, animals are also known to express sheer joy. Anyone who has seen a pet bird perk up, a cat dance or a dog break out with a giant grin will attest to this one.
Pets can also sense our moods and often act accordingly. High stress time for me means extra scuffling between Sawyer and Phoebe. When I’m down in the dumps, Sawyer cuddles while Phoebe will invariably butt my head with her rock-hard skull.
Some pets could surely use a few lessons in compassion, but they certainly share our emotions.
Animals are also much more like us than we may think – or perhaps we are much more like them than we care to admit.
What do you think?
Have you seen an animal in mourning? In glee?
Do you think animals have emotions that are comparable to humans or the reactions are just a coincidence?
by Rynski on Nov.10, 2009, under animals, dogs, events, life, pet events, pets
VIDEO, slide show: Greyhound fundraiser gives every dog his day
Local canine celebrity Scout ran away with part of the show, but every dog had his or her day at Saturday’s Arizona Greyhound Rescue’s Greyhounds & Friends Fall Festival Fundraiser.
Photo Ryn Gargulinski
Deb Ross’s dog Scout sauntered away with top honors in the best trick and human/pet lookalike contests, but others were not far behind with their howling good looks and feisty antics.
Alexis Pate, 6, also proved herself quite the dog biscuit baker with her prize-winning doggie quiche.
Folks had a chance to schmooze with the gentle greyhounds, many of which were up for adoption. Contact AGR if you can give one these fabulous pooches an equally fabulous home.
Also enjoy the slide show below and the video of Scout’s winning trick, where he dies after being shot, but gets CPR from Ross in the hopes to revive him.
Please note: Video quality suffers due to the high compression necessary to currently view videos on this site.
A big thank you to everyone who dedicated time, effort and resources to make this event possible. And thanks again for asking me to be a judge. Now I’ve got one more honor on my resume.
Are you a greyhound fan?
What’s your favorite breed of dog?
Do you and your pooch have matching Hawaiian shirts?
by Rynski on Nov.05, 2009, under Tucson pets, animals, life, pets, wildlife
Tucson pets: Meet a Monster
How would you like an 80-year-old Monster living in your backyard? One Southwest Side family loves it – but that’s because Monster is a charming and gentle tortoise.
Monster is his fashionable backyard habitat/submitted photo
Monster may weigh in at a stocky 40 pounds and be so named because he is huge compared to the family’s other two tortoises, but he still has to be separated from Wilson and Sleepy.
“Wilson gets aggressive,” Monster’s mom said – but no problems were reported between Monster and the family’s two birds and two dogs.
Monster is even known to help with chores around the home and yard. He loves following his human dad around, and even “helped out” by getting beneath a chair his dad was standing on while working on his truck.
“Monster went under the chair and lifted him about 2 inches off the ground,” mom said.
“I guess the hardest part of owning a tortoise is that they can get so big, making their habitat is a little harder,” she said. “Oh yes, and finding romaine lettuce on sale.”
Do you have a pet that rivals Sawyer? E-mail comment and photo to rynski@tucsoncitizen.com
What do you think?
Do you think tortoises make a good pet? Why or why not?
by Rynski on Nov.04, 2009, under animals, dogs, events, hope animal shelter, life, pet events, pets
Two dog treats this weekend: Canines Got Talent contest and Responsible Dog Ownership Day
Treat your dog to two exciting events this Saturday and Sunday – and plan to create some crafts or baked goods for a third.
Enter your dog in the archery contest/Ryn Gargulinski
Strut your pooch’s stuff at Arizona Greyhounds Rescue’s
Greyhounds & Friends Fall Festival Fundraiser
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
Where: Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, Ramada A
How much: $5 per family, includes raffle ticket
From best dressed to coolest trick with the closet human/dog look-alike in between, a cache of Canines Got Talent contests is on the agenda. Sawyer, Phoebe and I are especially eager to see the entries as I’m one of the judges.
Folks will also get to meet a host of foster dogs, in case they are looking to adopt, and get a $5 nail clipping (Phoebe’s favorite), a chance to win prizes, decorate a pumpkin, enter a dog biscuit bake-off and more.
“We really want to encourage the community to get to know the greyhound breed so our event is for more than just greyhounds,” said dog lover, AGR volunteer and food blogger Karyn Zoldan. “This is the first time AGR has ever done an event outside our breed so we’re really excited.”
—
Get tips from Responsible Dog Ownership Day/Ryn Garguilnski
Don’t be a jerky dog owner like the folks that own Bimbo and Dumbo by attending
AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day
When: 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: Reid Park, Ramada No. 7 (enter at first 22nd Street entrance east of Country Club)
How much: Free, raffle tickets $1
Loads of information and activities are on the agenda. Fun stuff includes dog demonstrations and photo booths for you and your dog where you can get your dog’s mug on a coffee mug.
Adoption info from dog rescue groups; info on how you can get any dog, purebred or not, involved with AKC performance events; info on training classes; and $20 microchipping will also be available.
You can also get your dog’s manners tested to see if he passes the Canine Good Citizen exam. Sawyer says he wants nothing to do with that one. Phoebe just barked incessantly when I asked if she were interested.
The German Shepherd Dog Club of Southern Arizona and other Tucson dog lovers joined the American Kennel Club to host the event. You’ll be able to meet some fine German Shepherds and learn more about the breed.
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One more animal nugget:
HOPE Animal Shelter’s Craft and Bake sale is coming up Nov. 21 and they are looking for crafters and bakers to donate yummy and interesting creations.
Craft donations can be brought to the shelter the week before the event with baked items brought in the day of. The shelter is located at 2011 E. 12th St. and can be reached at 792-9200. For more info, e-mail Marsha Wronski at mlwronski@yahoo.com
What’s your pet’s best talent? Has he won any contests?
Is your pet an obedient pet or could he use a dose of training?
Are you a fan of greyhounds and/or German Shepherds?
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