events
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.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.
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.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.
—
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?
by Rynski on Oct.28, 2009, under animal cruelty, animals, events, life, wildlife
Wild horse population riding off into the sunset – Presentation Thursday at Ignite: Tucson
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?
by Rynski on Oct.26, 2009, under animals, cats, dogs, events, hssaz, life, pet events, pets
Two ways to help Tucson animals – for free
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.
by Rynski on Oct.21, 2009, under animals, birds, events, life, wildlife
Behold the beauteous blackbirds – and free bird event Saturday
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.
by Rynski on Oct.20, 2009, under animals, birds, cats, dogs, events, life, lizards, pet dangers, pet events, pet products, pets
Pet costume contest comes with haunting question
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?
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