Keeping up with the news on the Our Place to Paws Blog

It was a scary month for a lot of pet owners in the U.S. and Canada due to the Menu Foods pet food recall. Every time I've gone into a supermarket or pet supplies store I've seen signs or heard overhead announcements with the latest information.

To try to keep our readers and online visitors informed, we've been posting regular updates on the Our Place to Paws Blog, including links to news articles and the Menu Foods recall informational Web site.

Our goal at the blog is to post information about important animal news and stories, and to also feature more pictures sent in by our readers. So feel free to stop in and check it out.

Do you have any comments or suggestions about the newsletter or the site? Please write to faye@ourplacetopaws.com and let us know!

In this issue:


FEATURE STORY ON OUR PLACE TO PAWS: Our Place to Paws spoke to Lindsey Sterling Krank of the Prairie Dog Coalition about the plight of some delightful creatures that are disappearing from the American landscape because of disease, habitat destruction and legalized killings. There’s a lot you can do to help! Read all about prairie dogs, their habitat, how important they are to the ecosystem, and how to help save these special animals by clicking here and going to Our Place to Paws.


And remember, this newsletter doesn't always forward properly via email, so if you want to send it to a friend, point them to this online link (you can also read the newsletter at that link if the formatting doesn't come through well on your email):

http://ourplacetopaws.com/newsletter/optp-newsletter7.html

Meow. Woof. Naaaaayy.


- Editor

YOUR LETTERS

Dear Our Place to Paws: With the food crisis, it might be really helpful to include some homemade feed recipes on your site, i.e. http://dog-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/homemade_dog_food_recipes

I have developed a recipe that takes about 10 minutes to make and will feed a 40 lb dog for about 2 days.

Happy Spring, best to all,

- Andy R., San Diego

Dear Our Place to Paws:

You might want to include this link to CatNutrition.org. Also, notice the disclaimer at the bottom of that Web page. The person whose recipe it is does not claim to be a veterinarian or any kind of specialist. If you just add the link you cannot be held liable for any harm that comes to people's cats who may choose to try that recipe.

So far, though, Bruti seems to be doing very well with it, but I still feed him little bits of commercial canned food along with it, and dry food so he has something to nibble while I'm not at home. In general though, he does seem to love the mixture, and I think his coat is looking nice and glossy, and he doesn't seem so bloated at he was before I started him on the home made mixture. He was getting obese! Now he looks more like a cat again.

- Wolf G., Framingham, MA

Editor's note: Many people are considering making their own pet food in response to the recent pet food recall crisis. Although Our Place to Paws is printing these reader suggestions and ideas, please note that Our Place to Paws does not recommend changing your pet's diet without consulting your veterinarian, as cats and dogs have specific nutrition requirements, and we cannot specifically recommend, endorse or suggest that you try any home-made pet food recipes.

Hi Our Place to Paws!

Your newsletter is great. My puppy, Willie, will be two in May. He was born on my birthday, May 20th, so he will be two and I will be 65. We also have a new addition to my niece's family (who is now Willie's cousin). Her name is Molly and she is a Shorkie. Part shitzu and part terrier. She is only eight weeks old and is adorable. They brought her over on St. Patricks day to be introduced to her cousin. My Willie was just disgusted with her because all she wanted to do was have him chase her. He just kept pushing her away with his nose. After a while they did bond and Willie did chase her a little. I am sure they will become great friends.

One thing that might be a nice addition to the Kids Corner is “if you ever get any information on when and where children can interact with animals.” It might be a nice thing for families to know. What made me think of it was that a colleague came in on Monday telling me what a great time she and the kids had at Wilson’s farm at the petting zoo. I wished I had known so I could have taken my three-year-old grandson.

Keep up the great work.

- Ann L., Boston, Massachusetts

Editor's Note: Thank you for the suggestion, Ann. Would other readers be interested in events news? Our readers live all over the country, but maybe we can still highlight events you send them in. We do highlight non-profit events on the blog when they're submitted.

Hi Faye,

Just wanted you to be one of the first to know that Angel has "officially" been adopted. Her new family is picking her up on Tuesday. We could not have asked for a better home for her. Her new "parents" are wonderful people. She will also have a new "big brother" named Clyde.

Thanks again for all of your help! One dog down ... one to go! Three more cats to be adopted!

- Ruth, Ohio

Editor's Note: Ruth is a member of the Fans of Barbaro, a group of people inspired by the life of Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro to act to save horses and other animals. Ruth recently asked Our Place to Paws to help her find homes for five animals left orphaned when Ruth's brother died suddenly of a heart attack. Their pictures were posted several times on the Our Place to Paws blog, and since this letter, one more of the cats has been adopted.

Have a comment or question, or suggestions for other readers? Write to faye@ourplacetopaws.com.

READER PHOTO SPOTLIGHT

April Reader Photo Winner: Sunny, the favorite animal of Rick W., Earleville, MD

To see our Honorable Mentions, visit Our Place to Paws by clicking on this link.



THE LATEST MEWS & STORIES IN THE RUFF

British Mystery cat takes bus to the shops

Bus drivers have nicknamed a white cat Macavity after it has started using the No 331 several mornings a week. The feline, which has a purple collar, gets onto the busy Walsall to Wolverhampton bus at the same stop most mornings - he then jumps off at the next stop 400m down the road, near a fish and chip shop. Read the rest in the Daily Mail by clicking here.

'Hero' Dog Shot, Saves Store Owner's Life

FLORENCE TOWNSHIP, N.J. A four-legged friend is being hailed a hero after suffering a gunshot wound during an attempted armed robbery at a liquor store in Burlington County. Read more at CBS3.com by clicking here.

VIDEOS
This month our videos have gone to the birds. Have you ever seen a parrot roll over or play golf? If not, click here to watch one cute bird.

Straight from Animal Planet, another parrot has the incredible ability to mimic different animals and sounds. Click here to see!

A WOOF FROM OUR SPONSOR
Peggy Dey, one of the leading animal artists in North Carolina, offers beautiful animal art and commissioned pet portraits in pastel, watercolor and print for individuals, families and organizations through her business: Dey by Dey Studio. Click here to visit her brand new Web site!

If you have a need for a special gift, a portrait of a beloved cat, dog, horse or other pet, personalized holiday cards or wildlife prints, I encourage you to visit Peggy's site. She has been doing animal art for more than 30 years, and her work has been showcased by many animal rescue organizations. For information on pet portraits, wildlife art prints and more, email: DeybyDeyStudio@aol.com.

KIDS CORNER

There are so many creative, fun projects you can do with things you can find right in your own home.

Do you have a photograph of your pet that you'd like to frame? How about a drawing? For a bonus, you can create the drawing from scratch!

Frame Your Pet with a colorful, fun picture frame made with buttons, seashells or other decorations. It's easy, and it will give you a chance to make something you can hang in your room and enjoy for years to come. Click here to learn how to do it.

FEATURED ANIMAL RESCUE
The Prairie Dog Coalition, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, is dedicated to the protection of imperiled prairie dogs and restoration of their ecosystems. To accomplish this mission, the Coalition provides information and advocacy training, facilitate communication and planning, and promote conservation projects.

The Coalition is an alliance of non-profit organizations, concerned citizens, and scientists dedicated to the protection of prairie dogs and restoration of prairie dog ecosystems. Survival of the prairie dog is critical to the continued existence of the prairie ecosystem—one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world.

For more information, visit www.prairiedogcoalition.org or call 720-938-0788.
GOD AS ALBINO PEACOCK

a "fairytale" as white and as wide as a wish
spread across a sky of endless dreams...
such things are impossible unless there is
"once upon a time"
to tell the story of what it all means

- Richard Wexler

OUR PLACE TO PAWS STAFF

  • Editor-in-Woof: Faye Rapoport DesPres
  • Contributing Writers: Peggy Dey, Jean-Paul DesPres, Richard Wexler
  • Book Reviews: Joan Schweighardt
  • Contributing Artist: Gloria Rapoport
  • Graphic Design: Joe Brandt
To subscribe to Our Place to Paws, send an email with Subscribe: Our Place to Paws in the subject line to faye@ourplacetopaws.com. We will not share or sell your email address or our email list no matter what - upon pain of having to change 100 litter boxes every day. Our Place to Paws is trademarked, and content is copyright 2007.


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