Lost greyhound in Tucson - March 23, 2011

Update: The dog was found in good condition. Some kind soul picked him up at the park and took him home. After three days the dog was reunited with the family. It was indeed a miracle. I felt particularly connected to this hound because I respite fostered him over the Christmas holidays. While my heart and soul goes out to all greyhounds in particular and dogs in general; I felt a huge sense of responsibility to this dog even though the responsibility wasn’t mine.

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There is a dark brindle male greyhound who is a pet that is lost in what I believe in the south Tucson area.

The dog was last seen Wednesday – March 23 – leaving the Santa Rita Park Park ball park heading south (possibly crossing over 22nd St.) and going east 2nd and 3rd Avenue toward the railroad tracks.

Do not chase the dog. The best thing to do is sit down and try to get the dog to come to you.

Please call Arizona Greyhound Rescue at 886-7411 with any sightings as to location.

Keep this hound in your thoughts. We need a miracle right about now.

Rubie - the rescued dog

Tucson animal events in March & April: yappy, horses, pet therapy info, birds and bats

Yappy Hour
Friday, March 25 – 5 to 9 p.m.
Unleash the party animal within at the Yappy Hour at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona located at 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. Your pets are welcome too! Yappy Hour celebrates a weekend of adoption specials, which start at 11 a.m. Friday, March 25, and runs through Sunday. Receive a discounted or free adoption on dogs and cats. Bring canned paté-style dog and cat food to be entered in a raffle for pet goodies.

Pet psychic Kat Riegel will be available for animal readings in the evening with donations going to HSSA. A pet photographer will also be available to take your furry friend’s picture. Refreshments and snacks provided. At Yappy Hour everyone goes home happy!

HEART of Tucson – 2nd Anniversary BBQ
March 26 – 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Previously I wrote about HEART of Tucson and how they are rehabilitating abandoned and abused horses found wandering in our harsh desert. If you want to consider getting involved in their efforts, then attend the 2nd Anniversary BBQ potluck held this Saturday at Udall Park, 7290 E. Tanque Verde Road, Ramada #3. BYO side dish & beverage (nothing alcoholic) and the BBQ entree will be provided. R.S.V.P. 520-445-1510. Bring your friends and family and find out how to help the horses.

Wonderful World of Bats
As the world’s only flying mammals, bats eat tons of mosquitoes, some prey on scorpions, and others drink nectar. Bats play very important roles in the environment, but their lives are shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding.
Date: Friday, April 1
Time: 11 a.m. – noon
Where: Miller Golf-Links Library, 9640 E. Golf Links Road
Cost/Age: free, ages 12 and up; for more information, contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov; reservations not required.

Volunteering with Your Pet – Information Sessions
Saturday, April 2 – 10 to 11:15 a.m.
OR
Wednesday, April 20 – 6 to 7:15 p.m.
Learn how you and your pet (dog, cat, rabbit, or other domesticated species) might qualify to cheer up patients in hospitals, bring joy to seniors in assisted-living centers, help children learn to read, and much more. This is a great session to gain a better understanding of all that is involved with becoming part of the Loving Angel Paws volunteer group as a Delta Society Pet Partners therapy animal team. Meet and talk to current volunteers. Humans only invited to the informational sessions.
Place: Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital
Cost: FREE
Pre-registration is required as space is limited. RSVP to TherapyPetsAZ@gmail.com.

Tucson Mountain Park Birding Walk
Join birding expert John Higgins, for a guided bird walk in Tucson Mountain Park. Spot canyon towhees, rufous-winged sparrows, Gila woodpeckers, and other birds of the desert.
Date: Saturday, April 2
Time: 8 to 10 a.m.
Where: Tucson Mountain Park Ironwood Picnic Area, 1548 S. Kinney Road; on Kinney 1.5 miles south of Gates Pass Road or 3.8 miles north of Ajo Way
Cost/Age: free, ages 12 and up
For more information, contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov; reservations not required.

Wake Up with the Birds
Desert meets water at this unique crossroads for migratory and resident birds. Spot wetland birds, hummingbirds, songbirds and raptors nestled among the mesquites and palm trees. Binoculars are available for use or bring your own.
Date: Every Thursday in April
Time: 8 – 9:30 a.m.
Where: Pima County Agua Caliente Park, 12325 E. Roger Road
Cost/Age: free, all ages welcome
For more information, contact: 520-615-7855 or eeducation@pima.gov; reservations not required

Click here to read more Tucson pet events happening in March and April.

Please send your pet photos and animal events to tucson.tails@yahoo.com

(Rubie was rescued from a San Diego animal shelter. According to Rachel Burda, “She is the best dog we could’ve asked for.”)

Photo courtesy of Humane Society, So. Ariz.

from the press release by the Humane Society of So. Az.

In anticipation of another busy litter season, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona (HSSA) will host a puppy and kitten baby shower Sat. March 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at HSSA’s Companions for Life Center, located at 3465 N. Kleindale Road.

As temperatures climb higher, they bring a barrage of unwanted, orphaned, and abandoned animals. “It happens every spring and summer and the sheer number of incoming animals can be overwhelming,” explains Foster Care Administrator, Liz Johnson. “Luckily, foster parents are there to save the day!” Foster parents are greatly needed, since puppies and kittens must reach eight weeks of age before being spayed or neutered and placed for adoption. Foster parents allow otherwise vulnerable youngsters to grow in loving, nurturing homes before returning to the shelter where they can be happily united with a permanent family.

Last year, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona received over 2,700 animals who required foster care – over 25% of the animals HSSA received! This litter season will likely be just as busy and the HSSA wants to start preparing now with new foster homes, supplies, and heightened community awareness of the importance of spaying and neutering.

To commence litter season on a prepared and positive note, the HSSA will host a fun-filled shower, complete with games, entertainment, food, refreshments and, of course – cute and cuddly guests! Bring all of your human family members, learn more about fostering opportunities, and help pitch in by donating some much-needed supplies.

In addition to monetary donations, the HSSA foster care program always welcomes canned puppy and kitten food, pet beds, X pens, bedding, formula, pet bottles, clay cat litter, puppy pads, toys, cleaning supplies, crates, and new or used blankets and towels. For easy shopping, the HSSA has a baby gift registry at both Target and Walmart under “Humane Society.” So please consider picking up a few supplies the next time you’re running errands to help out the homeless puppies and kittens who will find their way to the Humane Society this summer.

Enjoy a fun, free, family-friendly event and help the HSSA collect supplies to gear up for litter season!

Gulliver - Photo by Equine Voices

Here’s a link to the 2012 horse fundraising event.

The seventh annual Fundraiser to benefit Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary “A Very Special Horse Event; Building a Community of Compassion” will take place on Saturday April 9, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Brandi Fenton Memorial Park, 3482 E. River Rd in Tucson, AZ.

Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary™ was founded in 2004 and is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization dedicated to saving Premarin (PMU) mares and foals from slaughter. This organization also works with law enforcement agencies to provide services to horses suffering from abuse, abandonment, starvation, and cruelty experienced when used to transport illegal contraband across the border.

There has been a marked increase in the number of requests for assistance. Money raised at this special event goes directly to the rescue, rehabilitation and recovery of horses in desperate need.

Heather Rowe, KOLD-TV News 13 anchor report and very special guest will be on hand to help celebrate the day.

Training demonstrations will feature rescued horses and the methods used in their recovery.

The fun filled family day includes an opportunity to visit “Gulliver’s Store” featuring unique clothing, art objects, and jewelry.
Also featured, live and silent auctions with items of interest for everyone, raffles with extraordinary grand prize drawings, and spectacular facial artwork by Face Paint Amy.

Hungry? Food by Quesadillas and More, Sparky’s Cantina, DaKine Hawaiian Shave Ice, and Kettle Corn will provide delicious additions to this special event.

Pirate, mini mascot of Equine Voices, will be at the event to share Gulliver’s journey from rescue to recovery, along with several other special equine friends. Pirate will also be available for photo opportunities with horse lovers of all ages.

Cost to attend the Fundraiser is $5.00 for adults and includes one raffle ticket. Children 13 years and under are free. There will be something for everyone at this special event!

(Blogger’s note: I attend this event every year. Although I’m not really a “horse person” I like to see the magnificent horses and learn about their miraculous recoveries, bid on silent auction items, and soak up the good will.

To learn more about Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary, visit their web site or stay in touch on Facebook.

(Photo of Gulliver is courtesy of Equine Voices. Gulliver is the mascot. He was one of seven PMU foals that lived in a pasture, on a PMU farm in North Dakota. His owner went out of business after losing his contract with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, the big giant that makes the drug Premarin. He was at the highest risk of going to slaughter. Karen Pomroy rescued him and three other horses in 2004 and started Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary.)

Luna is a happy pit bull

There is so much happening in the Tucson pet community — many fundraisers for cats and dogs happen in March and April. If you cannot adopt a pet, consider fostering or volunteering another way. Please help get the word out about all these great events and adoption groups in need. Thank you

Casa de los Gatos
Wednesday – March 23
5 to 9 p.m. at Park Place Mall
Dine out on delicious food while helping the Casa de los Gatos sanctuary cats. Bring this flyer to the Bamboo Club at Park Place Mall to sup on awesome appetizers, dazzling dinners, and half-price bottles of wine. A portion of your food cost will be donated to the Casa de los Gatos kitties. Please print the flyer to share with others. You must present the flyer in order for the felines to benefit.

Adopt-a-Bull
Friday – March 25
9:30 p.m. at Surly Wench Pub at 424 N. 4th Avenue
This benefit hopes to raise much needed funds for the foster program and spay and neuter services for pit bulls and rare mastiffs. Four bands will be playing (Love Mound, Hogjaw, Cogswell and Iggy Edible) plus a silent auction including autographed pictures of Shorty Rossi from Animal Planet’s hit show, “Pit Boss” and lots of other great items. If you have items to donate for the silent auction, contact Lizzie at 520-624-9954.

PACC
Saturday – March 26
8 to 11 a.m. at 4000 N. Silverbell Road
Join the dogs & cats for the Pima Animal Care Center breakfast and pet adoption event. For the kids, let them get exercise in the jumping castle. Free food! Music! A yard sale! And special adoption discounts that apply throughout the day, so let’s get those doggies and cats adopted.

In the Arms of Angels & Rescued Helpers
Sunday – March 27
1 to 5 p.m. at Brandi Fenton Memorial Park
Lucky Dog Adopt-a-thon, Car Show, & Bike Show
This event benefits In the Arms of Angels (501 (c)(3) pending) and Rescued Helpers Inc. Join in the Celtic theme family event filled with vendors, games, jumping castle, car & bike show, and of course dog adoption. All vendor fees and rescue fees are used to purchase items for the event such as the park rental, insurance, prizes for games, and awards for the car show. Any money left over is divided between the two dog adoption groups. Please bring dog food to donate to the dogs.

If you’re a vendor or want to enter the car show, click here?

Northwest Tucson Pet Adoption Event
Saturday – April 9
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – 77 North Marketplace at 16733 N. Oracle Road in Catalina
Attention: Oro Valley, Marana, Saddlebrooke, Catalina, and Oracle neighbors – 100 pets are ready for their forever homes from 20 rescue groups. Let’s get a love connection going between the NW adopters and all the pets that need to be adopted.
(5 miles north of Tangerine Rd., across from Eagle Crest Ranch)

Hermitage Cat Shelter
Sunday – April 17
5 to 8 p.m. at Double Tree Hotel, 445 S. Alvernon Way
Feline Groovy
My apologies to Simon & Garfunkel on their famous song, Feelin’ Groovy’ but what a fun idea to trip back to the groovin’ 60s all to benefit the Hermitage Cat Shelter. Enjoy dinner, live music, silent and live auction. Tickets cost $50/each or a table of eight for $375. Visit the website or call 520-571-7839 to reserve tickets. Cool!

Humane Society of Southern Arizona
Friday – April 29
5:30 to 9 p.m. – Tucson Country Club
“Puttin’ on the Dog” is a unique fun-filled extravaganza benefiting the homeless animals within our community. (Blogger’s note: I went two years ago and am going again this year perhaps with my greyhound. This event is a blast!). Local celebrities model high fashion accompanied by their cherish pets. Tucson Originals’ restaurants provide the hearty hors d’oeuvres and libations. The silent auction is huge, plus a lively live auction, and much more. The cost is $125/per person in advance or $150/at the door + $10/per pet which includes a bandana and dog biscuit buffet. The money raised helps dogs and cats in our community.

Please send your animal fundraising events and pet photos to tucson.tails@yahoo.com

(Photo: Karyn Zoldan took this photo of Luna who is much loved by my friend Judy Olsen. When Judy’s son was attending the UA, he found Luna as a puppy deserted by students who left for the summer.)

Despicable condition

The Miracle of Survival
On October 14, 2000, a 3-year-old colt was making his debut at Santa Anita in a maiden special weight race. As for any first time starter, the sky was the limit and the possibilities endless. He came in sixth on that day, and he would continue to race at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, and Del Mar for the next 15 months.

In that time, he won one race in 13 starts, a $20,000 maiden claiming race at Del Mar on July 30, 2001, for his owners, the Firmamento Corporation.

This colt would continue to race for over five more years, with his last race on February 10, 2007 at Rillito Park race track in Tucson, Arizona.

On that day, he was entered for a claiming price of $1,500, finishing last in the field of six. With that race, he had just finished his career on the track at the age of 10. He had raced for over six years, having 56 starts, 8 wins, 6 seconds, and 6 thirds with earnings of $34,113.

In that span, he was owned by three separate owners and raced at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Del Mar, Rillito, Turf Paradise, Yavapai Downs, Graham Fair, Cochise Fair, Santa Cruz, Flagstaff, and Gila Fair. From there, the story is more or less lost, as this colt struggled to stay alive.

In mid December 2010, just before Christmas, this colt was found wandering about in someone’s yard in the southeast corner of the Arizona desert, emaciated, and barely able to move. His condition was so deplorable that he wasn’t even a possibility for the state auction.

At this point in his life, euthanasia would most likely be his fate. A last second phone call was made to a local horse rescue, Heart of Tucson, who agreed to take this brave colt under their wings and do all that they could to heal him or at least restore the dignity he so deserved. He arrived at Heart of Tucson in a very weak condition. He is malnourished, has horrific teeth, sores, and has severely rotten smelling abscesses in all of his feet.

Volunteers at Heart of Tucson are doing all that they can to bring him back to being a healthy colt once again. They say he is a sweetheart and has a strong will to live. In the spirit of the holiday season, with no prior knowledge of his racing name, the good people at Heart of Tucson named this colt “Gifted.”

Two days after “Gifted” was given his name, the people at Heart of Tucson ran his tattoo. His racing name was no longer a mystery. His name is Dyna King, sired by Dynaformer out of the mare Rekindled, foaled in 1997.

By racing standards, he is not a half brother to Barbaro, Nicanor, Lentenor, or Margano, but they are still all connected by their father, Dynaformer. The sire of Gifted aka Dyna King being the same as Barbaro and his brothers, means that his story needs to be told, and the people responsible for his condition should be found and held accountable down the road.

What Dyna King has had to endure in the last four years must have been a living hell for him. He has a long recovery ahead of him. This is indeed a story about the the will to live and the miracle of survival. A horse near death found in the cruel barren desert is a miracle to begin with. His cries of suffering and anguish and pain sent from his heart as he wandered lost and alone, most likely just discarded by whomever was supposed to be caring for him, were heard, and he was rescued by…. HEART of Tucson.

(The photo is courtesy of Mia Larocque and the story was written by Greg Jones and Erica Reid.)

Heart of Tucson will be at Arizona Animal Fair on March 5. You can learn more about the horses they help.

Gordon loves his toys

Greyhound Racing – HB 2536 passes the Arizona House

This bill HB 2536 passed the House yesterday 42-15. For someone like me who has been anti-racing since I adopted my first greyhound in 1998 — I’m cautiously optimistic.

The bill was introduced by Rep. Vic Williams on behalf of Tucson Greyhound Park. And then was amended by J.D. Mesnard, a 30-year-old new politico kid on the block.

There has been no mention of animal cruelty during any of these hearings and readings. Whatever. As long as this bill passes is fine with me.

If you want to know about Arizona greyhound racing abuse, there are plenty of articles online that capture it, among them, the 140+ missing greyhounds, the dogs ongoing confinement in South Tucson, kennel filth, the 8 greyhounds who died while being transported from Oklahoma to Arizona, and most recently — this very graphic and painful-to-watch video of racing injuries at Tucson Greyhound Park.

Currently, there are 7 states where greyhounds still race. Arizona is one of them. To learn more about the plight of the racing greyhound and what is happening across the country and the efforts to end it, visit GREY2K USA.

How did your AZ legislators vote on HB 2536?

Can someone please explain to me what NV means? I know it means “no vote” by why does a legislator have the right to not vote?

Does it mean they a) don’t understand the bill, b) accepted contributions from both side of the fences and don’t want to offend anyone, c) lack courage, d) other?

(Photo is courtesy of Cindy Hall. She adopted Gordon from Arizona Greyhound Rescue. Cindy Hall says, “Gordon suffers from serious arthritis- the x-rays show significant trauma in his front wrists and the swelling leaves them the size of oranges. Sunny-D also has 2 broken & dislocated toes from racing. I hate what the track has done to my dogs.”)

Mimzy is a Cold Wet Noses rescue

Tucson is home to one of the largest day-long festivals celebrating animals in the Southwest: the Arizona Animal Fair.

The Fair happens Saturday, March 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Reid Park (22nd St. at Country Club Blvd., near the off-leash dog park). The event is free and open to the public. Well-behaved people and pets are welcome. Pets must be on a 6-foot or shorter leash at all times.

More than 30 rescue groups will set up in the Super Adoption area. Meet dogs, cats, and ferrets as well as llamas, horses, miniature horses, burros, and goats.

Scheduled entertainment includes “Muttalica’s Rocking Rescue Dog Sport and Comedy Show,” demonstrations by Police K-9s, Sweetwater Stockdogs sheep herding, Dust Devil Flyball Dog Racing, Tucson Musical Canine Freestyle Club, plus educational demos involving birds of prey, professional dog training, and pet safety for children.

Live music, described as “Backwoods-Americana Blues,” can be enjoyed in the pet-friendly beer garden from noon to 4 p.m.

Vaccinations for dogs will be available during the event at the Animal Birth Control of Tucson tent for only $9 each, licensing provided on-site by Pima Animal Care Center and low-cost micro-chipping will be available at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona booth.

This is your opportunity to learn about the many low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter options available in Pima County.

Last year it was cold and rainy. This year let’s all chant for warm and pleasant. Don’t forget to stop by the Arizona Greyhound Rescue booth where you and your pet can create Puppy Pawcasso art that you will treasure forever.

The Arizona Animal Fair is hosted by the Tucson-based nonprofit animal rescue group Saving Animals from Euthanasia (SAFE). The purpose of the event is to promote the welfare of animals by educating the community about the humane treatment of animals, the importance of sterilization and micro-chipping, and the re-homing of the lost and abandoned.

And of course, if you want to get involved and volunteer, check out the volunteer application.

I will be volunteering in the AWASA (Animal Welfare Alliance of Southern Arizona) booth in early part of the event. Please come by and say hello.

(Photo is courtesy of Cynthia David. Mimzy lives with Harmony greyhound but Mimzy is the boss.)

Please send photos of your dogs, cats, horses, and other pets to tucson.tails@yahoo.com. Include your name, photo credit (if different), pet’s name, and one sentence about them.

Smiling Cuvee

The 10th Annual Arizona Animal Fair is an all-day festival celebrating pets! The event is attended by over 8,000 people, all proceeds from the event benefit the animal rescue community. Can you help?

Event Date: Saturday March 5, 2011 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Set-up: Thursday March 3 (physical labor) & Friday March 4 (somewhat physical)

Volunteers are critical to the success of this event. Grab a friend or teenager (or a gaggle of young adults) and c’mon down. Meet like-minded animal lovers and have fun.

Assistance is needed with the following:
–Super Adoption Area – help meet the goal of finding forever homes for 100+ animals!
–Vendor Relief – the fun job of cruisin’ the fair, offering breaks to vendors as needed.
–Event set-up & break-down – put your muscles to work and it burns calories
–Food Court & Beer Garden – keeping everything tidy & safe for fair goers
–Pet Psychic Booth – schedule appointments with our animal intuition expert
–SAFE Store – sell t-shirts and other cool stuff with all proceeds benefiting SAFE (Saving Animals from Euthanasia)

Location: Reid Park, on the NE corner of 22nd St/Country Club Blvd.

If you only have an hour to help set up (during your lunch hour), all hands are welcome. But, people who volunteer for a 4-hour shift or longer receive a free awesome t-shirt commemorating the 10th annual event.

Read the specifics and how to sign up.

(Photo is courtesy of Bonnie Lewis. Cuvee belongs to Yvonne Foucher, owner of Catavinos Wine Shoppe. Cuvee often greets customers.)

Beau the pit bull loves car rides

Good news & bad news for animals from Arizona to the United Kingdom

Karma or kiss of death: Death by cock
From the LA Times: Here’s an interesting story about a guy who already had a misdemeanor charge for cockfighting which is illegal in Calif. This time the rooster with a blade attached to its mouth jammed it into the man’s shin and he (the man) was dead within two hours. (Blogger’s note: That seems like karma to me. I can’t help but wonder how the family is going to eulogize this?)

Cockfighting is in the same depraved class as dog fighting or greyhound racing. The end result is animal suffering, grievous injuries, or death all in the name of a gambling and entertainment.

Bad news: Thousands of pit bulls die in Maricopa County
From the AZ Republic:  14,523 pit bulls filled Maricopa County shelters last year, about 68 percent of those pit bulls were euthanized. According to the article, pit bulls are harder to adopt out than other breeds because they have a reputation for being vicious plus insurance companies, apartment complexes and homeowners associations may place restrictions on pit bulls.

How can pit bulls overcome their negative image? Please leave a comment.

Good news: Twiggy rocks!
British model Twiggy (who looks damn good for 61 years young) backs a campaign in the UK to encourage greyhound adoption. Unfortunately, dog racing is legal in UK but interest in the “sport” is dwindling when people learn about all the injuries and deaths.  According to the Daily Mail, Twiggy is waxing positively poetic about the virtues of these wonderful dogs where one thousand hounds wait for their forever homes.

Bad news: Greyhound killer wants to plea bargain
This may not be so bad if the guy has to rot in jail. According to this article in the Walton Sun (Florida), Ronnie Williams who has been charged with 42 counts of felony animal cruelty in connection with the deaths of 37 greyhounds at Ebro Greyhound Park kennel and the neglect of five survivors, told a judge he wanted a plea bargain so he could go home to his toddler and help his ailing parents. This is the guy who allegedly starved these greyhounds and put duct tape around their throats so nobody could hear them die.

(Blogger’s note: Greyhound racing has so many black eyes but this could be among the worst.)

‘Take sides.  Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.’
~ Elie Wiesel

(Photo is courtesy of Jen Duffy. This is Beau, her loving pit bull, who enjoys car rides and hiking on Mount Lemmon.)

Please contact Karyn Zoldan at tucson.tails@yahoo.com - Send pet photos (jpegs), feedback, announcements, story ideas. Thanks