Tag: dog
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 Oct.29, 2009, under animal cruelty, animals, birds, cats, dogs, goats, life, pet dangers, pets
Keep pets safe from satanic slaughter on Halloween
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?
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.22, 2009, under animals, birds, dogs, life, pets, terrible twosome wacky habits, wildlife
Phoebe and the grass seed
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?
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?
by Rynski on Oct.19, 2009, under cats, dogs, events, hope animal shelter, life, pet events
HOPE’s Barkin’ Ball howling for support on Saturday
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?
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