There’s just something about a child or teenager working to raise money to help animals– rather than a new iTunes card or video game – that makes me feel proud to be a parent, even when the child is not my own.

I searched around for more “feel good” stories about kids and their efforts to help animals, and came across some catchy programs such as Pennies for Pets and Cans for Critters!

Pudge the Pug

The table display presented by the Brownie Girl Scout troop that participated in Pennies for Pets is bright and colorful and just so lovely! Please take a look, you won’t be disappointed. These young girls helped raise money for the Humane Society of Livingston County in MI.

While we’re on the subject of Girl Scouts, the troops in our old stomping ground, San Gorgonio Council in Southern California, have been busy with an abundance of community service projects. It took me two visits to this web site to read about all of them! The project that a couple of the troops participated in to help animals is the Cans for Critters program in which the proceeds helped endangered species.  One troop collected over 5,600 cans, bottles, and glass!

Like Seth Hubbell, a 13-year old in Chelsea, New York choose to help homeless dogs and cats as a community service project for his upcoming bar mitzvah. He volunteered his time at Animal Haven, a shelter in the SoHo section of New York. Animal Haven has an education program that teaches children compassion for animals and how to care for them properly.

Do you have a story to share about kids helping animals? Have your own kids been involved, or is there an event to share from your neighborhood?

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Enough said. I am not going to dwell on my disappointment, but instead speak as a parent. I am pleased that Obama’s daughters wanted a dog and the President made good on his promise to get them one after the election, win or lose. I am just as pleased that although Obama could have used Malia’s allergies to dogs an excuse to just say “no,” he did the admirable thing and considered breeds that are less likely to trigger Malia’s minor allergy symptoms.

Pet allergies are usually the result of contact with dander, which are skin flakes. Therefore, the length of the fur or hair on the dog isn’t the issue. The American Kennel Club recognizes the following breeds as those that produce less dander than others:

Irish Water Spaniel

Kerry Blue Terrier

Lhasa Apso

Maltese

Poodle and Poodle Hybrids

Portuguese Water Dog

Schnauzer

Shih Tzu

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

Yorkshire Terrier

My daughter's Yorkie (with a new haircut) on a playdate with a Poodle.

Of course, I suggest that anyone who experiences severe symptoms such as airway constriction should not even try to bring a pet into the home. Also, although the dogs listed above are purebreds, this doesn’t mean that mixed-breed dogs are ruled out as potential companions for people with pet allergies. A “premium blend” dog with one or more of the breeds above may be hypo-allergenic, but then again he/she may not, so be prepared. Perhaps having a trial period at home with the dog before finalizing adoption and have an understanding with the shelter or rescue that you will be able to return the dog if he/she triggers allergies. Families looking for a purebred can find a list of reputable breeders on the American Kennel Club web site and rescues for specific breeds (yes, even purebreds) on Petfinder.com.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology has helpful information on their web site for managing pet allergies for those with minor symptoms. Please check it out, but I’ll mention a few here:

1. Do not sleep with the pet or allow him/her into the bedroom.
2. Use a central air cleaner in homes with forced air heating and/or air-conditioning.
3. Do these tasks often: vacuum the carpets and upholstery, clean the walls, and wash the pet with water.
4. Purchase HEPA filters for your vacuum.

Although our family is pet-allergy free, we sure suffer from our share of seasonal allergies! We have found that the Arm & Hammer allergenic vacuum bags and HEPA filters make a noticeable difference.

Do you have a family member with pet allergies in the home? If so, what have you done to allow humans and pets to live in harmony?

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As I was enjoying the first piece of cake I had today, my 12 year old daughter Kymberlie startled me with, “Mom – Sally is having a seizure,” from her bedroom. She knows to get the closest adult if an animal is in distress and to stay away, unless the situation and the size of the animal is something a child can handle. I ran into her bedroom and sure enough, Sally was seizing with a vengeance.

Sally looking good a few hours after her seizure

She didn’t appear to be swallowing her tongue, so I patted her head until the seizure passed. Afterward she laid there in a daze. We once had a Saint Bernard who had seizures and I’m familiar with the routine. I knew to stay with Sally, but wait for her to get up when she was ready. A few minutes later she got up and walked up to each and every person and pet in the house and sniffed everyone! I’m not sure what to think of that, but figure that it was a good sign. She then acted normal and as though nothing happened.

I took Sally to our veterinarian and her vitals were normal. Hopefully we won’t see another seizure too soon and Sally will not have to start Phenobarbital. Sally is a Senior and the last thing she needs is a medication that is going to make her lethargic and gain weight, which will just contribute to the issue we have already with her having a hard time getting around.

Like most dogs, Sally doesn’t like to be alone and she can usually be found with someone else in the family. I wish that it would have been me at the moment her seizure started instead of my daughter. It can be a scary sight.

Do you have, or have you ever had a dog that experienced seizures? If so, were there children in the house who ever saw an episode? How did they handle it?

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Hmmmm, I didn’t hear anything regarding my daughter and a dog last weekend so I told Kymmie to fess up. My daughter told me this horrific story about a dog running amuck in the neighborhood and how it grabbed the leg of her pants as she was trying to get back into the house for safety. The police were called and the dog had to be pepper sprayed four or five times before it was subdued. Kymmie doesn’t know what happened after that because they were only able to see what was visible from her friend’s living room window.

Many things went through my mind when I heard about this. First, of course, was a panic that my daughter could have been seriously injured or killed. Thank goodness a higher power was watching over her when I could not. Second, why didn’t Kymmie tell me about this? (I think I know the answer – I tend to be over dramatic and too protective and she didn’t want to go there with me).

I also felt a great amount of concern and empathy for the dog, as I’m a firm believer that there is no such thing as a bad dog, but there are some bad owners. What caused this dog to act as it did? What type of life has she been living? I wasn’t surprised to learn later that the dog broke away from her chain prior to the episode in the neighborhood. In my opinion, no dog should ever live on a chain, and some areas have banned this inhumane practice. I see nothing wrong with temporarily tethering a dog while in the presence of the owner to keep it from running off, such as if at a picnic or while the owner is washing the car. But no dog should ever spend most – or all – of its life chained to a pole.

My next project is to get more details on what happened and see what I can do to help this dog, as well as to make sure it doesn’t happen again. The dog lives in an area with a high population of children. Unfortunately there is no official “animal control” in the city where this happened. I’ll start with getting a copy of the police report, finding out if the dog is still at the home, and who I can get to visit the family for a welfare check on the dog’s living conditions.

This incident has been a wake up call for me. I don’t let my kids visit another child’s house unless I visit the home myself first and get to know the parents. But no matter how careful we are as parents, things like my story above can happen. One can never be too careful, and here are some tips to help ensure your child is safe when they are invited somewhere for a play date or sleepover:

Fire. Does the family have a fire escape plan and do the smoke detectors work? If your child is spending the night, log on to The National Fire Protection Association’s web site for a sleepover checklist.

Water. Ask if there is a swimming pool and/or a hot tub and look for self-closing, self-latching gates and 4’ high fences. If there is a pool cover, tell your child not to touch it and remind him that running near water is not allowed.

Dogs. Is the family dog kind to strangers? Approximately 400,000 children seek medical attention for dog bites each year. Running, yelling, grabbing, and hitting may put your child at risk. Teach your child to avoid direct eye contact and face-to-face interaction with dogs. Dogs should not be disturbed while sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.

The Big Outdoors. If your child’s friend is allowed to play alone in the front yard, but your child is not. Say something like, “Jimmy is allowed to play out in the front yard only with direct, constant adult supervision. If you need to go indoors for even a second, he must come with you.”

Guns. You have the right to ask if the family has a gun, and if it is locked away and the ammunition is stored in a separate safe. Hunters and people who work in law enforcement are likely to have a gun in the house, but any home may have one.

What do you do to keep your child safe when they visit a friend?

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Savannah used to sleep in a kill shelter but now slumbers with her owner.

I am proud to say that my children get a lot of satisfaction out of knowing that their donations help pets in shelters and bring joy to the children who find the great thrift shop deals we send over. We generally make our donations twice a year, in the spring and fall, as we go through clothes at the end of the season that we know will not fit next year. While we’re at it, we go through the closets too and it never fails that we find several things in excellent condition that have not been touched in six months and need to find a good home.

It’s easy to find the nearest animal shelter or humane society thrift shop in your area by doing a Google search. I typed the words and phrases thrift shop, humane society, animal shelter, and Georgia to find ours. You can do this too to search your county or state.

Here are some tips to make the donation process as hassle free as possible:

1. Find out what items the store accepts, as well as what they don’t accept. The shelter we used to donate to before we moved occasionally had to put a hold on clothing donations because inventory was overflowing. In general, shelters are unable to accept used mattresses and infant car seats for personal sanitary and safety issues respectively.
2. Call and inquire about the days and times in which donations are accepted. Don’t assume that because the thrift shop is open, you can drop off your goods. Shelter thrift stores are usually run by volunteers and staffing may be limited.
3. Some shelters are able to pick up large items, such as furniture and appliances. However, others are not only unable to pick them up, they may be unable to accept them due to limited space in the store.
4. Donate only items in salable condition!!!  If something should go to the dump, take it there! Don’t confuse thrift with trash.

Have you ever donated items, volunteered, or shopped at a thrift store that benefits shelter pets?

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Bunnies, hamsters, guinea pigs, and parakeets are a sample of common pets outside the canine and feline world. When it comes to reptiles, iguanas and geckos are what you probably hear about most. One reptile you may not be familiar with is a bearded dragon. On that note, 7-year old Killian would like to share a little something about his bearded dragon Drago.

Killian and Drago

My name is Killian and I’m seven years old.  My dad gave me a bearded dragon about 1 1/2 years ago. When we got him, he was a little three-inch long thing, but now he’s about 16”. I named him Drago because that is a Bakugan toy with a lot of power and he’s a bearded-dragon! He does push-ups when he sees food and will eat worms out of my hand, and chase live crickets all over the cage  before he eats them. He eats vegetables, too. Drago likes to wedge himself against the cage wall and a tree branch so it looks like he’s standing up! We thought he was stuck, but he does it everyday.  He likes hibiscus buds and will bite your finger, if he thinks it’s a worm, but he lets go quickly and seems confused, and then he tries again. He will flare up and show his “dragoness” when he gets mad!

I met a bearded dragon a few years ago and he was a very friendly guy! Therefore, I wasn’t surprised one bit to read in this Animal Planet article that bearded dragons appear to enjoy interaction with humans.  As with all pets, I want to encourage parents to consider their child’s age and temperament before bringing in a bearded dragon to join the family. Also, get educated about their care as they need heat and basking lamps and a diet of both plants and insects, which is a bit more work than purchasing dog or cat food.

I would like to thank Killian for sharing his story about Drago. Do you have a bearded dragon, or has one ever touched your life?

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Mother Cat was my first kitty and the birth of her baby Spotty brought both cats into our lives. I will never forget the rainy day we discovered Spotty and how much I loved brushing Sam’s beautiful long fur that was longer than my hair. I have many other memories of these pets, but these two stand out the most.

I love looking at pictures of kids and their pets and thought that I would share a few today, with permission from their parents of course.

First we have 13-year old Calvin, who has two cats named Candy and Oreo and a dog named Belle. Can you guess which cat is with him in the picture? Yes, it’s the cat who Calvin appropriately named Oreo because her black and white coloring reminds him of the infamous cookie.

Calvin and Oreo

Oreo is very talkative and meows frequently and was purchased from an elderly woman in dire circumstances who was no longer able to care for the cat. There are many ways to adopt an animal, and this is one of them. Oreo could have possibly ended up in a shelter had the woman not found a home for the kitty. Calvin’s other cat, Candy. joined the family seven years ago when they lived in the Middle East, in Abu Dhabi! “She does not get along well with other animals and has been known to scratch me and my mom. But through all of this, we still love that crazy cat,” Calvin says. Candy was picked out from the shelter partially because of her beautiful mixture of colors — brown, black, white, and orange. I don’t know many cats who have flown from Abu Dhabi to the U.S., do you?

Belle is described as lovable and fun to be around and was chosen because when she was a puppy, Calvin and his family were amused at how she jumped on top of her siblings while she was trying to get water, and her head fell into the water bowl. Belle thinks that she is a cat and will only eat cat food, likes to sleep all day, and gives Eskimo kisses to Oreo.

I’d like to introduce Nikolas and Truckee next.

Nik and Truckee

Nikolas is 12 but was 10 in the picture of him with Truckee, who is now 7. Nikolas’ dad found Truckee in 2002 on Halloween when he was only five weeks old! He was abandoned in a remote industrial area known for a place for dumping dogs, which truly breaks my heart! Nikolas’ dad is a real hero for rescuing the puppy!! Nik named the puppy Truckee after the city in the beautiful Sierra Nevadas. Nik brought Truckee to pre-school for show and tell and the pup was a big hit with the other kids. Nikolas proudly told his classmates that great dogs don’t have to come from breeders. Truckee was free, but the joy he has brought to the family is priceless. The dog is a teddy bear and loves to play tug of war with Nik, go for walks, and ride in the car. Nik has another dog who he adopted from the pound and we’ll tell that story in an upcoming blog post. Stay tuned.

Gabrielle, 11, and Andrew, 8, show off their five-month old Labrador  Lucy!

Gabrielle and Andrew with Lucy

Lucy was purchased from a reputable local private breeder and was chosen because she was the mellow puppy between the two that were available. Gabrielle and Andrew love watching Lucy play in the water and are amazed at how smart and funny she is. Lucy shows her smarts by running over to her leash and sitting by it when she hears the word “walk.” She will also open the door to her crate and go inside when she wants to take a nap because it’s her favorite place to sleep.

If you mention the word “walk”, she runs to her leash and sits there waiting for you to get it and take her on a walk.  She loves to sleep in her crate and will open the crate door and go in when she wants to take a nap.

What are your fondest memories of the pets from your childhood?

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Generally, the kennels at amusement parks do not accept reservations and operate on a “first come, first served” basis. It’s best to arrive early and have a back up plan in case the kennels are already full. Please never leave your pet in the car while the humans enjoy the festivities! Besides the chance of being dog napped, a parked car is a dangerous place, even in nice weather According to an ASCPA article about vehicles and pet safety, a mild outdoor temperature of 70 degrees may result in the inside of a car reaching 90 degrees. The shade is of little help because it shifts during the day. On cold days, a parked vehicle can get as cold as a refrigerator.

Another consistency with amusement park kennels is that pets are not permitted to stay overnight. However, if you are staying in a hotel with your pet, the animal will probably prefer to stay at the park’s kennel near her family than in a hotel room – all day! Besides, most hotels will not allow the pet to be alone for extended periods of time anyway. There are online resources to help you find a pet friendly hotel.

Hersheypark’s “Barking Lot” is open during peak season, mid-May thru mid-September. The other parks that I contacted are open year round. Most kennels require proof of vaccinations, so make a call or check online to find out which shots are required and what type of proof is required. Parks such as SeaWorld that have several locations may not have the same policies at each site. For example, according to their respective Web sites, the SeaWorld locations in Orlando and San Diego charges a fee per dog, yet the San Antonio location charges no fee (this is the only kennel I came across in my research that does not charge).

There are many Six Flags parks across the U.S., but not all have kennels. For example, the locations in Valencia (Los Angeles area), CA and Lake George, NY do not, but St. Louis, MO and Arlington, TX do. The hotels at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA do not permit pets, but the park has a day kennel for dogs and cats. Area hotels that welcome pets may be found here. Best Friends Pet Care, Inc. operated the kennels at Disney World in Florida.

Canine guests in the kennels at Universal Studios Hollywood should be fed before their visit to the air conditioned facility because food is not allowed (water is permitted, of course). Owners of dogs staying for the day at Universal Orlando Resort may provide food and are required to return to the kennel periodically during their stay to walk their pet. Bush Gardens in Tampa Bay , FL is air-conditioned, yet the Williamsburg, VA location is only ventilated.

To help you plan your trip, here is a list of questions to ask the park before you leave:

1. What is the daily fee?

2. May I bring a blanket, dog bed, or toys?

3. Is dog food permitted?

4. Will I be required to walk my dog periodically during his stay?

5. If walking is not required, may I visit my pet?

6. Are the kennels indoor or outdoor? If they are outdoor, what type of shelter is provided to keep the dog out of direct sunlight or rain?

Do you have a story to share about your experience with a kennel at an amusement park?

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My favorite in the Athens-Clarke County area is Wiggley Field – Southeast Clarke Dog Park. Why, you ask? You guessed it – there is an adjacent playground for the kids. It’s a cool playground with a medieval looking castle that even big kids like mine will dig. (Yes, I’ve been known to climb to the top of the fort myself.)

We have six dogs in the family, but only three like the dog park. Actually, one of the remaining three likes the dog park, but shortly after she joined our family she went through a phase of starting fights with a couple of our other dogs, so we’re apprehensive about bringing her to a dog park. She was adopted from an animal shelter and it seems like once she felt grounded at home, she wanted to show the other dogs where she stands. Dog parks are only for dogs that do not display unprovoked aggressive tendencies towards other dogs! So, scratch poor Savannah (a premium blend mix) off the let’s-go-to-the-dog-park list – for now. However, we have read up about General Dog Park Rules and Etiquette and discovered that a dog park may be a good place to socialize a dog if you are able to stick with them, encourage them, and keep them under control. So, I think we’ll give Savannah another try next time, but she’ll remain closely guarded and receive 200% of our undivided attention. I’m not sure, though, and will keep in mind that every dog’s behavior issues and situation are unique.

Then we have Sally (German Shephard/Lab mix) who is too old to go. She has arthritis and a hard time getting around and cannot tolerate the many dogs playing and trying to get her to join them. She growls at them, which means that one of the humans in the family has to take her elsewhere. Last but not least we have Mick, a Queensland Heeler who hides from the other dogs. You’ll find him under the benches or in the bushes. He really, really, really hates the dog park, so we don’t push the issue. Tina, our shepherd mix loves the dog park. She’s nine years old and as playful and athletic as the younger dogs that are there. Mitsy, a Pomeranian and Pudge, a Pug, hang out in the little doggie area and tolerate the other dogs but I will admit that we enjoy bringing them there than they enjoy going.

If you have not yet discovered your local dog park, find it here. You can check for both fenced and unfenced public and privately owned parks. Note that entry into a privately owned park is likely to be limited and at a fee. Most parks are public parks and there is no fee. I always choose a fenced park. In somewhat rural areas where we live there are some unfenced dog parks, but I’m a real stickler for ensuring that when our dogs are off leash they are within four fences – even if the fences are acres apart from each other.

Fellow K9 Cuisine blogger Allie Johnson has an excellent post about playing nice (and safe) at the dog park.  Please take a look!

I’d love to hear about your favorite dog park!

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Snuggles actually wasn’t very snuggly. Like many rabbits, she didn’t like to be held and I was disappointed because I thought that all bunnies would be affectionate, like a dog or cat. I still enjoyed her despite how fast the little bunny grew into a huge rabbit and the mess she made in her cage! It takes owning a rabbit to really know how messy and destructive they can be (she tried to gnaw on everything within reach).

I’m an adult now and still in love with rabbits. The newest hare to join our family is Howie, who we adopted from the Athens Area Humane Society in June 2008. Howie, about three months old, was found in the gutter along a strip mall on a busy street. Our adoption counselor believed that he was a discarded Easter present because there is always an increase in the number of bunnies at the shelter following Easter.

Howie geared up for a walk with his harness and leash

The Farm Sanctuary, with shelters in New York and California, reminded folks last month that rabbits are “living, feeling animals, not holiday trinkets, yet many people impulsively purchase them without considering whether or not they are fully prepared to take on the responsibility of an animal that will require daily care for many years to come.” Sadly and tragically, the sanctuary receives an increase of calls after Easter from people looking to surrender rabbits.

Easter was last week and unfortunately it’s a given that your local shelter will have an abundance of rabbits up for adoption soon. If you are fully aware of the work, time, and approximately 10-year commitment involved with properly taking care of a rabbit, please contact your local animal shelter and bring an Easter bunny home.

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