Tag: pet
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?
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.
—
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.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.07, 2009, under animals, birds, cats, dogs, health, pet dangers, terrible twosome wacky habits
The strange things our pets will eat
The terrible twosome’s wacky habits
Sawyer and his pet chicken (sorry, Lefty!)/Ryn Gargulinski
Sawyer’s latest fascination is with the stinky little woodchips around one of my backyard trees.
Well, he’s more than fascinated with them. He eats them.
He’s also been known to chow down on my grass seedlings, a raw chicken breast he snatched off the counter and a blackened piece of something that could have been a flattened lizard out on our dog walk.
Some may also remember the post about the missing cucumber and how it was found mutilated in Sawyer’s possession.
The worst, by far, were the river rocks in Oregon.
Sawyer scarfed down three of the things, one of which was about 3 inches long and lodged sideways blocking his intestine. The operation to remove it cost some $800.
Another dog needed surgery after eating 22 pounds of Astroturf. The pooch apparently liked the way it unraveled at the edges and ended up with a hunk of it in his stomach.
No operation – but plenty of prayers – were needed for the canine who knocked a peanut butter jar off the counter then proceeded to wolf it down, busted glass and all. Somehow it all passed through without a hitch.
Since the river rocks, I’d like to say Sawyer has been pickier about his eating habits. But he still mauled and digested part of a pair of shoes, one of my former cell phones, and has now moved on to the stinky little woodchips.
The terrible twosome’s wacky habits is a new feature that will highlight 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
Sawyer eating something that's actually edible/Ryn Gargulinski
What’s the weirdest thing your pet ever ate?
Did he or she need surgery to remove it?
by Rynski on Sep.28, 2009, under animals, life, lizards
The horrific plight of the ugly green caterpillar
Those fat, green caterpillars that squirm all over Tucson yards really have it bad.
Phoebe torturing a hornworm/Ryn Garguilnski
Also known as tomato hornworms, these creepy creatures grow up to 4 inches long and about the width of a thick piece of ziti, making it tough for them to hide.
Hence they are preyed upon by parasitic wasps, hungry lizards and my dog Phoebe.
Phoebe likes to puncture them with her teeth then leave them to ooze and die.
As if all this is not horrific enough, I accidentally found a way to make these creatures’ lives even more miserable.
Before I continue, I must warn you this story is gross – even for me.
In fact, I won’t be able to eat thick pasta for quite some time, thanks to one of these hornworms that had a really bad morning.
Since I am decidedly not a fan of these squirmy beasts, I was ecstatic to see a lizard in my backyard trying to shove one of these fat things down his teeny lizard throat.
I ran to get a camera to record this hilarious scene, but my sudden movement scared the lizard off to behind some backyard artwork.
The caterpillar still lay there, writhing, so I thought I’d do the lizard a favor and throw the thing over to the artwork where I saw the scaly critter was hiding.
I couldn’t have asked for a worse shot.
The murderous agave spike/Ryn Gargulinski
Rather than landing gently at the lizard’s toes, the worm made a perfect arc in the air – only to plop down on the spike of one of my agave plants.
The agave spike sliced cleanly through the center of the fatty beast, sticking out the other side, as the worm wriggled and writhed with his guts bubbling and dripping down the side of the plant.
It reminded me of those scenes in horror movies where people fall several floors out the side of a building only to plunk down on a spiked fence.
Since I couldn’t leave that monstrosity spiked to the agave, I knocked it asunder with a hand trowel in the general direction of the lizard. Miraculously, the lizard was still interested and began to dine anew.
Until Phoebe came charging out her doggie door and scared him away for good.
The tomato hornworm/caterpillar lived for a few more milliseconds then rolled up and died.
Although dead, the worm was gone the next morning. And I really don’t care where it went. As long as it’s not suspended and oozing down my agave.
Hornworm after the spike/Ryn Gargulinski
Have you had a run in with these tomato hornworms/caterpillars?
What happened?
Do you see any redeeming qualities in these things?
by Rynski on Sep.24, 2009, under animal cruelty, animals, birds, cats, dogs, frogs, goats, life, lizards, pet dangers, pets, reptiles
Pet dangers A to Z
We all know not to let the puppy play with the electrical cords – but there are many other dangers lurking around our homes that can really wreak havoc on our pets.
Below please find an A to Z list of some household pet dangers. While some may be obvious, others have only come to my attention through unpleasant experience, like Sawyer’s bout with rocks or Phoebe’s struggle with the dresser drawer pull.
Illustration Ryn Gargulinski
Astroturf – Since this stuff likes to unravel at the edges, it’s a great thing for pets to chew on, bat around or otherwise play with. That is until they get a great big ball of it in their stomach.
Bologna – Not sure if the actual meat substance of bologna can harm a pet, but that plastic rim that comes on many lunch meats can be a massive choking hazard.
Chocolate – Keep dogs, cats and ferrets away from those Hershey bars.
Dresser draw pulls – Phoebe found out the dangers of these firsthand when she got her collar caught on the pointy 1970s wooden pulls in the bedroom. Not to fret, she simply pulled and pulled until the handle ripped off and the drawer was left with two screw bottoms sticking out and no way to open it. Good doggie.
Elastic – Rubber bands, hair ties and other small pieces of the stuff may look like a great toy for your furry friend – until it’s ingested or choked on.
Floss – Cats, dogs and other critters may be fascinated by that fine stringy stuff you are supposed to rub between your teeth, but it can also choke them.
Grapes and raisins – Both contain a toxin that can be lethal to dogs.
Glue – Polyurethane glue especially can cause great damage to your furry friends. If they happen to chew into a bottle of it and swallow some, the stuff absorbs water, expands and forms a giant, hard lump in their stomachs that may require surgery to remove. Ouch.
Household garbage – Or any garbage. Filled with stuff ranging from moldy foods to bologna plastic, only bad things can result in your pet getting into the garbage.
Illustration Ryn Gargulinski
Isopropyl alcohol and its friends – Ethanol, methanol and even alcohol found in beverages can really do a doozy on your pet. And no, it’s not funny to get your puppy drunk.
Jack-in-the-Box – Steer clear of feeding fast food to your pets. Please.
Kalanchoe – Just one of a long list of household plants that can be toxic to pets – and even small children. See full list by clicking here.
Lilies, lily-of-the-valley and lily bulbs – When kitty eats a lily, kitty gets a damaged kidney.
Macadamia Nuts – Learned about this danger from a guy at Home Depot whose pit bull got sick from them. Ends up these nuts contain a toxin that can mess up a pet’s muscles and digestive system.
Microwave oven – Yes, this can be deadly. But only if you put Fluffy inside to dry her fur.
Nice smelling potpourri - Liquid potpourri, especially, can make a pet sick. Since some potpourri smells good enough for your pet to eat, he’ll try to. Some of these contain oils that can breed ulcers in an animal’s mouth, throat and gastrointestinal tract. Stick to incense – just don’t let Sawyer chew the burning stick or leave the stick burning unattended so pets can knock it awry.
Onions and garlic – One pooch was rushed to an emergency vet during Passover, Good Housekeeping reports. Ends up the dog ate too much of grandma’s chopped liver that was rife with onions and garlic. Both can upset the digestive system and harm red blood cells.
Pennies – Most coins are just the right size to choke on, but pennies also contain zinc. Zinc in a pet’s stomach can end up with anemia and kidney problems. Pennies minted after 1982 are made almost entirely of zinc.
Quilts – These, and other cozy, wraparounds, may seem like the most harmless thing around. But if your pet rips one open and decides to chew up and swallow the stuffing, you’ve got yourself a sick friend. My former puppy Lulu did a number on all the living room pillows one day. Thankfully they were cheap pillows with stuffing chunks too big and hefty for her to swallow – that was also too big and hefty to be vacuumed.
Rocks – Sawyer’s rock experiment involved stomach surgery. He ate a handful of them, one of which was about three inches long that went down his throat OK but then lodged sideways and blocked the opening to his intestine.
Illustration Ryn Gargulinski
Sugar substitutes – Diet sodas, chewing gum, toothpaste and other foodstuffs that contain the sweetener Xylitol can cause liver damage and low blood sugar in dogs.
Toilet – Close that lid. In addition to the germs pets can pick up from licking the bowl, pet birds can fall in and drown. It’s bad feng shui to leave the lid open, anyway.
Ultra-fresh cleaners – Any cleaner poses a potential pet hazard, but those with pine oil are especially hazardous. Even a small amount of the fresh-smelling stuff can cause liver damage in cats.
Vacuum cleaners – Do not – repeat – do not use a vacuum to clean your pet’s fur.
Washing machine/dryer – See Microwave oven.
Walnuts – No chocolate-walnut Christmas cookies for Fido, please.
Xtermination supplies – These include insecticides, rat poison and rodent, roach and other traps of any sort. Ever see what happens when your cat gets into the glue trap? Hopefully you never will.
Yeast dough – At the very least, secure the yeast.
Zippers, thread, needles, sewing machines and other stitching items.
Sources: GoodHousekeeping.com, HealthyPet.com, Humane Society of the United States, past reading materials and experience, guy with pit bull at Home Depot.
Has your pet had a run in with any of the above?
What other pet hazards have you run across?
by Rynski on Sep.22, 2009, under Tucson pets, animal cruelty, animals, life, lizards, pets
Meet my skink
Yes, I found one.
Lazlo is happy in his new home/Ryn Gargulinski
After spending all of Monday pining for the skink I didn’t buy at the Tucson Reptile Show, I found an even better one at Reptile Specialists, 3459 E. Speedway Blvd.
His name is Lazlo.
He even kind of looks like a dude I used to know named Lazlo, although I hope the Lazlo skink doesn’t pick up some of the Lazlo person’s habits.
Laz used to keep 2-liter jugs of urine in his fridge.
Since it’s my first skink – or first reptile of any type – I am learning a lot about this charming critter.
Hannah and her family at Reptile Specialists were the greatest. Heck, they even primed Lazlo for a good home with frequent handling by everyone, including their own and other 3-year-old kids.
Laz has thus become a sweetheart. And he’s teaching me much about skinks already.
At 2 years old and about 20 inches from snout to tail tip, blue-tongued Lazlo is already full grown.
Skink life expectancies are anywhere from 10 to 20 years. That means Phoebe better get used to him quick and stop whining at his cage all night. He’s going to be around awhile.
Lazlo meets Sawyer and Phoebe/Photo by BB
What skinks like:
Substrate in which they can burrow and dig
Heat lamp and cozy temperatures
At least a 20-gallon tank with clip screen lid
Elongated tunnel things in which they can hide
Slinking on your shoulders and arms
What skinks don’t like:
Open-air cage next to an air conditioning vent
Being picked up by the tail or eyeballs
Having a dog whine at their cage all night
Wearing little booties
Photo Ryn Gargulinski
What skinks will do:
Ravage meal worms and small mice
Chomp on leafy greens
Cuddle your neck
Make funny faces
What skinks won’t do:
Jump through hoops
Perform a backbend
Organize your closet
Talk
Laz is already working on licking my face and I’m working on getting him to hopefully one day organize my closet.
Face lickin' Lazlo/Photo by BB
Phoebe's fascination/Ryn Gargulinski
What’s the coolest thing about lizards as pets? The most annoying?
Any tips and tricks you’d like to share about keeping them?
Have you ever owned a skink?
Have you ever known anyone named Laz who kept urine in the fridge?
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