It’s The Sopranos meets Marley & Me when a volatile, chronically ticked-off writer struggles to help an abused, timid, big-hearted shelter dog.

When the last of their aged 4-legged animal “kids” passes away, Lou Spirito and his wife go looking for a rescue dog.  Although he insists that he’s open to any dog in need, Lou secretly longs for a dog like Rebel, the rollicking Irish Setter that shared his world when he was a struggling actor living the vida loca of sex, drugs, & disco in the wonderland of New York City.  He longs for a jaunty dog to transport him back to the carefree days before mortgages, life insurance and missed opportunities… so the last thing on his wish list is a frightened, muscle-bound, scarred, and carsick Pit Bull.  In contrast to his fun-loving predecessor, Tanner is an emotional Geiger counter.  He cowers at strange objects, flinches at loud noises, and vomits whenever he is stressed – which is most of the time.

And why shouldn’t he?  His immature new owner, Lou, is a raging bull!  Having honed anger to an art form over his lifetime, Lou constantly storms and curses at the slightest provocation–misplaced keys, computer glitches, even mayo on a turkey sandwich (don’t ask).

Unlike Marley and John Grogan, Lou’s is a case of “good” dog vs. “bad” owner.  For this odd couple to flourish, one of them will have to change.  And fast.

Thankfully for the writer, the dog wins out. It isn’t easy.  It isn’t always pretty.  But it will touch your heart.

From Amazon.com:

A lifelong dog lover and recovering ‘angry guy’, Louis Spirito is a screenwriter, playwright and journalist. He lives in Malibu, California with his wife, Eugenie, the love of his life, and their rescue Pit Bull, Tanner. When he’s not scribbling, Lou is busy teaching Okinawan GoJu Ryu karate and working with juvenile offenders at one of the local Los Angeles County Probation Camps. In their down time, Lou and his wife travel to Italy where they were married and where they have dual U.S.- Italian citizenship. GIMME SHELTER is Lou’s first non-fiction book…

10% of Lou’s proceeds from the sale of GIMME SHELTER will be donated to animal rescues, including LBWF.

Order your copy of GIMME SHELTER from Lou’s CreateSpace website (powered by Amazon) today. Don’t forget to use the discount code KT6AQKZ5 to receive a $1 discount and LBWF will also get a $1 donation from Lou!

And learn more about Lou and Tanner at www.louspirito.com, check out Lou’s GIMME SHELTER blog and “Like” GIMME SHELTER on Facebook.

The post “GIMME SHELTER” by Lou Spirito appeared first on the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation blog. LBWF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which means we rely on generous tax deductible donations from animal lovers and benevolent souls, just like you. Please help us continue saving lives & donate today!

A very dear friend of LBWF was out on a hiking trail this past weekend and sweet Maggie was chasing a squirrel along the path.

She followed it into a bush and was immediately struck!

Maggie is going to make it, but that’s because her parents followed through with preventative measures (vaccination) and quick thinking!

Rattlesnakes love the warmer weather and with Spring in full swing, snakes are starting to make their appearance in yards, hiking trails, etc.

If you live in areas where Rattlesnakes are common, it’s important to take preventative measures to protect your four-legged loved ones.

Rattlesnake Safety Tips:

1. Get your dog vaccinated. A Rattlesnake Vaccine was introduced a few years ago. The canine rattlesnake vaccine comprises venom components from the Western Diamondback. This vaccine is meant for use in healthy dogs to help decrease the severity of rattlesnake bites and allow you enough time to reach an emergency veterinary facility for treatment. It’s important to know that the vaccine only lasts about 6 months, so regular booster shots are necessary.
2. Keep your dog leashed! Most bites occur when a dog is off-leash or on a long lead. Keeping your dog at about 6 feet will keep them safer!
3. Avoid areas where visibility is obstructed such as dense brush, high grasses, rocky areas, etc. If out on hiking trails stay on the path with your dog. You never know what could be hiding a few feet off the pathway.
4. Know the symptoms of snake bites!
   • puncture wounds
   • severe pain
   • swelling
   • restlessness, panting, or drooling
   • lethargy, weakness, possible collapse
   • muscle tremors
   • diarrhea
   • seizures
   • neurological signs
5. If you encounter a Rattlesnake it’s important to stay quiet & calm and slowly back away out of striking distance (usually about the length of the snake).
6. If your pet is bitten by a Rattlesnake, it’s important that you quickly and carefully transport your bitten pet to the nearest veterinary clinic that carries Antivenin.  The less exertion your pet puts forth, the better – moving too quickly will make your pet’s heart beat faster, circulating the venom throughout their system even faster.  So move quickly, but resist the urge to panic and run.  The Antivenin takes 20 minutes to prepare, so calling ahead while you are on your way will save valuable time.

Additional Information Sources:

California Poison Control – Snakebite
UC Davis Veterinary Rattlesnake Guide (Downloadable PDF)

Maggie’s Harrowing Rattlesnake Encounter

Maggie and her pet guardian were hiking up at Mulholland, as they’ve done many times before. She chased a squirrel under a bush, but unfortunately there was a rattlesnake under there that no one could see. She jumped onto the bush to try to get the squirrel then sprang right back out like it was a trampoline, looking very stunned.

That’s when Maggie’s owner heard the rattle!

She called to Maggie who came running back and she could see immediately that Maggie had been bitten. Maggie’s guardian acted quickly by calling the vet and getting Maggie back to the car slowly and carefully. Thankfully, Maggie had been vaccinated which bought them a bit more time. They were able to make it to the vet where she received a round of antivenin (antivenom), as well as IV fluids.

While Maggie had to stay in the hospital for a few days for some additional monitoring, she is one lucky pup with wonderful pet guardians who took all the right measures to ensure she make a full recovery.

The post What’s That I Hear A’ Rattling?!? SNAKE! appeared first on the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation blog. LBWF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which means we rely on generous tax deductible donations from animal lovers and benevolent souls, just like you. Please help us continue saving lives & donate today!

We’ve had a few rescue cases come in from outside areas and the dogs have been completely covered in ticks. They seem to spread rapidly and the dogs are covered in days! If you encounter a tick on yours or any dog, here’s some useful information that will help you understand what to do (and what NOT to do) to deal with it properly.

Tick Identification & Removal Guide:

Click to enlarge

An Ounce of Prevention

In addition to regularly checking your pets for fleas & ticks, we ask that you protect them by purchasing tick preventive from your local veterinarian or trusted pet product supplier. If you know a four-legged fur friend that does not have protection, please be generous and offer to purchase an extra treatment to protect the pets of those in need. We recommend checking out your local Big Lots (a favorite of LBWF for discounted pet products), or Jeffer’s Pet for great prices on tick & flea medications, toys, and all things your pets need!

We are already seeing flea & tick infestations like no other year! It’s super important to take every measure to protect your pets from fleas & ticks. There are many great medications out there that can keep your pets, and ultimately the rest of your family, free of these pesky pests.

We recommend:

• CERTIFECT – takes care of fleas at all life stages, ticks and other disease-transmitting parasites
• K9 Advantix® II – takes care of ticks, fleas at all life stages, mosquitoes, biting flies and lice
• Advantage® II – takes care of lice and fleas at all life stages, but does NOT protect against ticks or mosquitoes
• FRONTLINE® Plus – takes care of ticks and fleas at all life stages
• PREVENTIC® Tick Collar – takes care of ticks, but does not provide protection against fleas or other disease-transmitting parasites

Some products shouldn’t be used on puppies, dogs under certain weights, dogs using certain medications, etc., so be sure to read their product labels carefully and/or use the links above to learn more about each product and whether it is the best choice for you & your pet.

You can pick these up at your local vet or many online suppliers. And don’t forget your feline friends! Cats are just as susceptible to problems caused by fleas, ticks and other disease-transmitting parasites. So be sure to check out the flea & tick products available for cats, too!

Tips to protect your pets and help you prevent an infestation:

• Use a preventative measure, such as the medications listed above
• Vaccinate to prevent diseases, such as Lyme Disease
• Contain your pets, such as keeping them in a fenced in yard so you can better control their environment
• Groom your pets, especially those with longer, thicker fur that make it harder to find fleas & ticks
• Check out Tick Encounter for loads of information on protecting your family from ticks!

More information about tick-borne diseases:

• Tick-Borne Diseases (downloadable PDF)
• California Department of Public Health

The post Fleas & Ticks Are Out In FORCE! Tips For Protecting Your Family… appeared first on the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation blog. LBWF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which means we rely on generous tax deductible donations from animal lovers and benevolent souls, just like you. Please help us continue saving lives & donate today!

Lilies
Lilies are toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure – even the smallest amounts can be toxic so keep all Lilies away from plant eating kitty cats.

Easter Grass
Just like string, dental floss, and tinsel, Easter Grass can cause vomiting and an intestinal obstruction – this can result in expensive, life threatening surgery.

Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, a xanthine compound which is in the same family as caffeine and theophylline- and is toxic to dogs and cats. At low doses chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhea.  At higher doses it can cause a high heart rate, an irregular heart rhythm and seizures.

Fertilizers and Pesticides
N-P-K fertilizers (containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium salts) can cause mild gastro-intestinal upset, and also skin irritation on the paws. Fertilizers containing greater than 1% iron can cause iron toxicity if ingested by a dog.

Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitos
Fleas can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions and they can transmit tapeworms.  Ticks can transmit many diseases.  Mosquitos can transmit heartworm to cats and dogs, which can be fatal.  All dogs and cats should receive topical monthly flea and tick prevention.  It is very important to read product labels very carefully on all flea and tick medications as the misuse of such medications, particularly over the counter varieties, can lead to acute toxicity in pets. It is important never to use a dog product on your cat, or vice versa. The ingredient “permethrin” found in some dog medications, while perfectly safe for dogs can be lethal to cats even in very small doses.

Insect Bites
Dogs can also have severe allergic reactions to insect bites this time of year.  Common symptoms are a swollen face and hives.  If left untreated, the inflammatory response can cause severe illness and respiratory distress.

Fishing Hooks and Lines
It is important to keep all fishing hooks away from your pet.  They can get stuck in your pet’s mouth or paws.  Fishing lines can cause an obstruction in your pet’s intestines.

Leashes, Tags, and Microchips
Remember to always keep your dog on a leash when they are outside.  Make sure all leashes and collars fit appropriately for your animal, and are not too worn from usage. Keeping your dog on a leash can prevent them from being hit by a car or getting bit by another dog.  Bite wounds are common emergencies; make sure to always keep your pets rabies vaccinations up to date.  In addition, you should make sure your pets have tags on their collars with appropriate contact information in case they are separated from you. Microchipping is also a wonderful tool to ensure your pet is returned safely to you should they become lost or separated.

The post Springtime Safety for your Furry Loved Ones! appeared first on the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation blog. LBWF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which means we rely on generous tax deductible donations from animal lovers and benevolent souls, just like you. Please help us continue saving lives & donate today!

The Animal Rescue Site $300,000 Shelter+ Challenge of 2012 – together with Petfinder – has started again! The Animal Rescue Site is awarding $300,000 in grants to eligible Petfinder.com member rescue organizations to help animals. The grand prize in each voting round is a $5,000 grant, and there are many other prizes!

Visit The Animal Rescue Site to vote every day and learn more.

Just select “CA” (California) from the State drop down menu and type “Linda Blair” into the Shelter Name field.  You don’t have to register, and voting is free.  Support your favorite shelter and vote today!  Thank you!

The post Vote Daily for LBWF in the Animal Rescue Site Shelter Challenge appeared first on the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation blog. LBWF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which means we rely on generous tax deductible donations from animal lovers and benevolent souls, just like you. Please help us continue saving lives & donate today!

Thundershirts are helping shelters and rescue groups across the country to manage the dogs they receive with anxiety, fear and excitement issues. Your Thundershirt Donation will be put to excellent use helping to transition one of our wonderful dogs back to a forever home.

The post Donate a Thundershirt to LBWF Rescued Dogs in Need! appeared first on the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation blog. LBWF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which means we rely on generous tax deductible donations from animal lovers and benevolent souls, just like you. Please help us continue saving lives & donate today!

• Be sure your pets have proper identification such as tags and microchipping should they become separated from you
• Keep all pets indoors during cold temperatures
• Be sure to wipe down your pets paws and fur after walking in sleet, snow, etc to ensure the removal of salt and other de-icers that could be toxic to your pet
• Be sure to keep antifreeze away from your pets and clean up any spills. It is very toxic.
• Familiarize yourself with your local emergency shelters should the need to evacuate ever arise, this will ensure you know the pet friendly places to go.
• Prepare ahead of time as much as possible. Most storms come with ample warning, so when feasible head for safer grounds.

Here’s a great resource on caring and preparing for your pets during the time of crisis:

http://www.ready.gov/caring-animals

The post Winter Storm Safety appeared first on the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation blog. LBWF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which means we rely on generous tax deductible donations from animal lovers and benevolent souls, just like you. Please help us continue saving lives & donate today!

http://www.ready.gov/caring-animals

The post Click for a guide on preparing your pets for the storm! appeared first on the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation blog. LBWF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which means we rely on generous tax deductible donations from animal lovers and benevolent souls, just like you. Please help us continue saving lives & donate today!

Linda Blair Is an Angel to Demonized Dogs

The devil child of “Exorcist” fame started the Linda Blair Worldheart Foundation, a sanctuary for homeless dogs.

Thanks to her unforgettable star turn as a possessed child in the horror-film classic The Exorcist, Linda Blair will forever be linked with scary stories. Weaker souls might have buckled under the strain of the “demon girl” image, but Blair has turned her demonic image on its satanically spinning head…

Read the rest of the article at Dogster.com.

The post Best article on Linda EVER! appeared first on the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation blog. LBWF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which means we rely on generous tax deductible donations from animal lovers and benevolent souls, just like you. Please help us continue saving lives & donate today!

• Never leave your 4-legged loved ones outside during Halloween. Unfortunately there are plenty of people out there who play pranks that could seriously harm your pet.
• Remember to keep candy out of reach of your pets. Chocolate is extremely dangerous, as are many of the wrappers.
• If your pet is typically skittish give them a nice quiet, safe place in the house so they don’t become frightened.
• If your pet is social and you would like them to be part of the Halloween festivities, it’s best to keep them leashed in the event they become spooked and try to dart out the door.
• Make sure your animals are properly tagged and micro-chipped in the event of escape.
•  Don’t dress up pets unless they love it. If you do dress them up make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. Avoid restriction of movement, vision, hearing or the ability to breathe or vocalize. Costumes should not contain small dangling accessories that could be consumed or cause choking.
•  Restrict your pet’s access to decorations. Jack o’ lanterns with candles are obvious fire hazards, but cats can also get tangled in streamers. Pets can also become ill from eating holiday decor.

The post Halloween Saftey Tips for your Four Legged Friends appeared first on the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation blog. LBWF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which means we rely on generous tax deductible donations from animal lovers and benevolent souls, just like you. Please help us continue saving lives & donate today!