“Memories of Sophie and Gracie: A Puppies’ Memorial” is inspired by the Oprah press releases that announced the passing of Gracie, who choked on a ball last year, and the passing of Sophie, who died in March.

“To represent Sophie and Gracie together, joined in Oprah’s memory as they were in life and in Oprah’s heart, the artist depicted them as conjoined at the hip and sharing a common tail,” says co-director John Leo. The dogs are shown standing on the flowing-maned golden likeness of Oprah’s head, in reference to how the dogs’ deaths may be weighing heavily on Winfrey’s mind. “Losing two beloved pets within a year is likely to take its toll on anybody.”

Last month, Oprah dedicated a show investigating abuses at puppy mills to Sophie, who died from kidney failure. “Sophie gave me 13 years of unconditional love,” Winfrey said on her show.

The Puppies’ Memorial also highlights the overlooked threat of accidental pet fatality by common household products.

“Given the natures of the demise of Oprah’s dogs, we feel the horrors of a puppy mill could be inconsequential compared to the poison hazards pets face in the home. Leaving a puppy mill for a nice home could be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire for some pets,” says gallery co-director David Kesting. “According to the APCC (Animal Poison Control Center), the anti-freeze commonly leaked on garage floors, for example, is sweet smelling and tasting to pets, but it causes kidney failure and death.”

“The memories of Oprah’s pets could serve as a reminder to all pet lovers that this may be a good time to thoroughly ‘puppy-proof’ their pet’s habitats,” says Daniel Edwards.

“Sophie’s kidney failure may have resulted from natural causes, but we hope the Puppies’ Memorial will remind everyone that Gracie’s choking could have been prevented,” says Kesting.

Edwards’s other works include a pro-euthanasia monument to Kentucky Derby winning racehorse Barbaro, The Paris Hilton Autopsy featuring her forlorn pet Chihuahua Tinkerbell, and a nude Britney Spears giving birth on a bearskin rug.

Reception for the PRESS, May 21st at 11:00 a.m. Public reception is May 22nd, 6:00 p.m. at Leo Kesting Gallery, 812 Washington St. Contact David Kesting at 917-650-3760 or John Leo at 917-292-8865 or http://www.leokesting.com/

Her friend Martha Stewart, who lives with horses, miniature donkeys, cats and 200 chickens, also has a love affair with her three dogs — Paw Paw, Francesca and Sharkey — who she describes as “so loyal and such marvelous company” that “I would rather be with them than almost anyone.”

So it’s not surprising that Stewart has joined Close’s charitable shopping program on FetchDog.com (http://www.fetchdog.com/Shop ) to benefit animal welfare organizations. FetchDog is a shopping, education and networking resource for dog lovers.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is the beneficiary of the recently-opened Martha Stewart Charitable Shop (http://www.fetchdog.com/Shop?dsp=marthastewart ). The shop features more than 20 products personally selected by Stewart — ranging from a design-award-winning dog feeder to a doggy deck chair of sunlight-resistant fabric. When shoppers make a purchase starting on Stewart’s page, a percent of everything they spend on FetchDog.com is donated to the ASPCA.

“We’re very pleased to have been selected as a beneficiary of FetchDog’s charitable shopping program,” says Jo Sullivan, ASPCA Senior Vice President “This is the best of both worlds for dog lovers: they can something good for animals in need while shopping for great products for their own pet.”

Stewart recently previewed the charitable shopping program on the Martha Stewart Show (http://www.marthastewart.com/show/st-patricks-day-show-with-glenn-close ) with the help of Close and her husband David Shaw, one of FetchDog’s founders and Executive Chair of Ikaria — a critical care pharmaceutical company.

Glenn Close launched the Charitable Shops earlier this year as a companion to her FetchDog blog Lively Licks: Profiles of Dogs and their People (http://www.fetchdog.com/blogs/livelylicks ), which features interviews with her dog-owning friends. The blog gives readers a glimpse into just how deeply her interview subjects care about their pets. Among the famous dog-lovers featured in the blog are Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen, whose Charitable Shop benefits Little Angels Pug Rescue, and Debra Messing and Dan Melman, whose beneficiary is Animal Rescue New Orleans. Upcoming interviews are scheduled with Sam Waterson and Bernadette Peters.

“We are very excited about the potential for Charitable Shops to benefit these animal charities,” says Peter Troast of FetchDog. “This is truly socially responsible shopping: you choose from a great assortment of high-quality, hand-selected products, and your purchases support a worthwhile cause.”

“And, as one reader commented about Glenn’s latest blog: ‘What connects us — the famous and the not — is our love for our animals.’”

The star will dedicate the entire show to her late cocker spaniel, Sophie, who died in February from kidney failure.

“Sophie gave me 13 years of unconditional love. She was a true love in my life,” Winfrey says on the broadcast scheduled to air Friday.

(this show is) “for anybody anywhere who loves a dog, has ever loved a dog, or just cares about their basic right to humane treatment.”

While Oprah’s own dog, Sophie was not a product of a puppy mill, her three current dogs were adopted from breeders, Winfrey says in the future she would look to adopt from a dog rescue shelter.

“I would never, ever adopt another pet now without going to a shelter to do it. I am a changed woman after seeing this show”

LINKS:

Oprah.com 

If your house is overflowing with vases, photo frames and ornaments, or your wardrobe is crammed with too many clothes and accessories, then Spring is the ‘purrr-fect’ time to clearout the clutter and donate items to your local PDSA shop!

Anthea says: “There’s no excuse for an untidy home, especially as having a spring clean can help sick and injured pets! So, why not organise any unwanted items from around your home and take them along to your local PDSA shop. And don’t forget to Gift Aid the donations!”

PDSA Head of Trading, David Facer, says: “By donating some of your unwanted items to PDSA, you’ll be helping to raise vitals funds to help pets in need of vets.

“Plus if you’re a tax payer and fill in a Gift Aid form, PDSA can claim an extra 28p for every pound made by selling your items, at no extra cost to you as the cash comes from the tax man! All items sold by PDSA shops help the charity treat the sick and injured pets of people in need.”

PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity. It provides free veterinary treatment to the sick and injured pets of people in need. This year, the charity will provide more than 1.8 million free veterinary treatments, at a cost of £48 million, which is funded by the generosity of the public.

For more information about PDSA and to find your local PDSA shop, please visit www.pdsa.org.uk.

Hello Tamara, thank you for taking our 20 questions. Before we start with the questions, what can we expect to see you doing in the near future?

Hello, my new jewellery range is available from QVC. Anyone who is interested in having a look can go to www.qvc.co.uk

1) Tell us about your pets. Names, breeds and ages.

I have BALTHAZAR - he is a beautiful miniature apricot poodle who just had his 13th Birthday. My daughter Anouska has LUX a beautiful black miniature poodle who has already had a litter of 5 and has just turned 1 1/2

(more…)

Tell you why.

Mr Barrowman ‘gets it’. He gets dog ownership. He is a real, genuine dog lover and one that somewhat defies the stereotypical image of dog owning celebrities. We’re not just saying that because he’s chosen to adopt dogs. Dogs who are older and often find it more difficult to get homes.

We’re saying it because it’s obvious John really does care about the plight of dogs living in animal rescue shelters and he’s put his money where his mouth is (so to speak) by actually getting out there and speaking up for rescue dogs as well as actually rehoming a couple.

This week John added to his family by adopting ‘Captain Jack’ (pictured) from Cardiff Dogs Home.

He was there to open a new kennel block at the rehoming centre in Wales.

Previously John fell in love with and adopted 12 year old Cocker Spaniel ‘Teagan’ from the Dogs Trust in West London.

It takes a special person to be prepared to give a chance to an older dog. Knowing full well that every minute spent with them is precious. Huge credit to John for supporting dogs in shelters and backing it up with actions not just words.

We’re asking our friends at K9 Magazine if they’d consider asking John to be their first ever male cover star. He is a credit to dog owners and celebrities for his dedication to dog adoption.

Come on K9, get him on your next cover!

[What do you think? Should K9 Magazine make Mr Barrowman their first K9 male cover star?]

In a posting on the PETA website, PETA senior VP Dan Mathews has urged Kylie to stop carrying a snakeskin bag. In an open letter to the pop princess Mr Mathews writes:

Dear Kylie,

Greetings from PETA, the world’s largest animal rights organization, with more than 1.8 million members and supporters. I am PETA’s senior vice president-and also one of your loyal gay American fans (going back to “Step Back in Time”).

As an entertainer who has overcome major personal obstacles, you have shown that you are unafraid to address serious issues. I’m writing to you today about cruelty to animals. You were recently photographed clutching a bag made of python skin, and as a result there has been a flurry of interest in the bag from both followers of fashion and those who are painfully aware of the excruciating ways in which these exotic animals are skinned.

Every year, millions of snakes—an integral part of jungle and forest ecosystems—are snatched by the greedy international skin trade. The animals are often impaled on hooks or nailed to trees by their heads and skinned alive. Large snakes like pythons may have a hose inserted into their mouths and be pumped full of water to loosen their skin, so it will cut away more easily. The animals’ peeled, writhing bodies are then discarded, and it can take days before the animals die from the effects of shock and dehydration.

And it’s not just in places like Asia and Africa where reptiles are tormented—PETA has conducted undercover investigations at American farms where alligators are bludgeoned in the head before hammers and chisels are used to sever their spinal chords. These methods only paralyze the animals—they, too, are often conscious during skinning. But exotic animal farms are rare—90 percent of these fascinating beings are wild-caught. Those who are “farmed” are usually confined to areas of wilderness that have been fenced off, but because mortality rates are so high, many wild—caught animals are tossed in with them for breeding. The endangered species of tomorrow can be seen in the fashion magazines of today.

Kylie, you are such a compassionate person—I can’t imagine you’d wish to contribute to this hidden suffering, especially for something as frivolous as a fashion accessory that can be replicated with no bloodshed. These days, it’s easy to have a look that kills without killing, with fake snake, mock croc, python pleather, and other designer items that pay tribute to the beauty of these animals without massacring them. Won’t you assure us—and those who follow your fashion lead—that you’ll no longer sport exotic skins?

Kindest regards,
Dan Mathews
Senior Vice President

Link: http://blog.peta.org/archives/2007/10/dan_mathews_to.php

Fearing the extra commitment a dog would bring, the former Spurs hotshot is said to have ended the relationship worried about Lloyd’s idea to get a Paris Hilton style ‘handbag dog’.

PAW is a not for profit organisation created to raise funds and awareness for animal welfare and conservation projects worldwide.

Leading veterinary charity PDSA, one of the charities to benefit, was delighted to have been involved. It relies entirely on the generosity of the public to fund its PetAid services, which this year will cost more than £41 million to deliver.

PDSA National Fundraising Manager, Simi Epstein, says: “It was a fantastic event, and Pink fans did a wonderful job of supporting animal welfare. The money PDSA received – over £15,000 - will make a real difference to the lives of sick and injured pets. This is enough to buy a digital x-ray machine that will assist PDSA vets in the diagnosis of serious trauma injuries.”

Pink has been an animal lover for many years and tragically lost her beloved Bulldog, Elvis last year after he drowned in her LA home’s pool, Elvis was given to her by friend, Lisa Marie Priesley.

Now in its 12th year, Make a Difference Day, organised by Community Service Volunteers (CSV), has encouraged hundreds of thousands of people to volunteer, and this year will be no exception.

Anthea says: “I like to support PDSA as often as I can because I find it tremendously rewarding. Anyone can make a difference. It doesn’t matter whether you can spare an hour, a day or a week. Volunteering can easily fit around your life, so why don’t you give it a go?”

PDSA welcomes volunteers over the age of 14, and offers a full training programme, so previous experience is not essential. From volunteering in one of PDSA’s 182 charity shops to giving talks to school children and community groups, there is a role for every animal lover.

PDSA Head of Volunteering, Janet Compton, says: “The great thing about Make a Difference Day is that it offers a ‘purrr-fect’ starting place for people who are interested in volunteering but don’t know where to begin.

“There are many different motivations for people becoming a volunteer at PDSA. Some do it for the challenge of learning new skills, others for the camaraderie of joining a group, others simply want to help sick and injured pets. So whether you are a leader of the pack, bubbly and outgoing, or just up for a new challenge, why not give volunteering at PDSA a go?

“By donating some of your time to PDSA, you’ll have fun, boost your confidence, enhance your CV and get the feel-good factor for helping a worthy cause!”

Over 4,800 volunteers help in PDSA’s 182 shops, 43 PetAid hospitals, 4 PetAid branches and fundraising groups. For more information about becoming a volunteer, please contact PDSA National Volunteering Centre on freephone 0800 854 194 or visit www.pdsa.org.uk for a full list of volunteer vacancies.

PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity. It provides free veterinary treatment to the sick and injured pets of people in need. This year, the charity will provide more than 1.8 million free veterinary treatments.

[Photo is from the 2008 PDSA Pet Pawtraits Calendar, © Jason Fraser]