If your new years resolutions include losing weight and/or getting more exercise, this is your week! You and your dog can get a jump on fitness at several local Metro Parks.
Saturday January 10 - Howl at the Moon -Clear Creek Metro Park - 5 pm
Join your canine friend for a rugged 2 mile moonlit hike to Lake Emily. Meet at the Park Office.
Saturday January 10 - Howl at the Moon - Highbanks Metro Park - 5 pm
Humans and canines will enjoy this 3.5 mile hike. Meet at the Nature Center.
Sunday January 11 - Howl at the Moon- Prairie Oaks Metro Park -5:30 pm
Bring along your canine friend for a 2-mile walk as the moon rises over the lakes. Meet at Darby Bend Lakes, 2755 Amity Road
To check the weather for these outdoor events, click here.
As the year draws to a close, many of us are thinking about our resolutions for next year. While you are considering changes you are going to make, include your pets in your planning. Here are some tips from experts -- and dogs and cats themselves.
This week there is one pet event, the last one of 2008. Since there's a dearth of pet events, I also included a video that my friend sent me. I realize that Christmas is over, but someone in Hungary put together a great clip of dogs decorating a Christmas tree. How do they do that?
Wednesday December 31 - Humane Society of Delaware County Open House 3-7 pm
The HSDC wants to celebrate a successful year with their staff, patrons and guests. Stop by and enjoy a beverage and snacks and meet the folks behind all the good deeds.
Now here's the video of dogs celebrating the Christmas season. These guys are talented!
I saw "Marley & Me" at a preview screening last Thursday, and I wanted to share my reaction to the movie. (It opens on Christmas Day.)
Now, before I begin, let me say that I loved the book. And in contrast to the book, I felt like the movie was all about the people, not the dog. I mean, Marley appeared in brief snippets, but the movie mostly focused on the relationship between the protagonist and his wife (John and Jen, played by Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston). The book was called "Marley & Me", not "Me & Marley" or "Me & Jen."
The movie really needed more Marley. Because the movie focused on the dog's bad behavior, it failed to explain why this family loved Marley so much and what an impact he had on their lives. In the book, he's a companion to them. He stays with Jen, at her side, when she's on bed rest during a pregnancy. He hears the scream of the neighbor who has been stabbed then stands guard over her and John until the police arrive -- convincing John that he's more than just a goofy Lab, he’s a dog who can protect their family.
He plays with the kids. He's exuberant and energetic. In the movie, this is shown only in quick clips, like Marley running through the house and jumping in the pool, or the kids lining up race cars on Marley’s back while he sits patiently.
As a dog lover, I would like to see more of the dog’s impact on the family, and less close-ups of Wilson and Aniston.
I will be the first to admit I really don’t like either actor in any movie, and I felt like Wilson was really trying to act, rather than mug, but it still didn’t work. The focus was too much on his character and his struggles with his life direction. The other thing that bothered me was the while other characters in the movie aged, Wilson and Anniston looked the same, or younger, throughout the movie.
Also, as when I read the book, I wondered why they never took the time to train Marley as he got older or to make the environment safer for him and the children -– the same thing this critic noted.
However, let me note that my husband really liked the movie -- and he didn't read the book. Maybe it’s not fair for me to carry my expectations as a reader into the movie. After all, the book is almost always better than the movie.
So, if you love dogs and want a holiday laugh, go see "Marley & Me." Big yellow Labs everywhere will appreciate the recognition.
Monday – December 22 - Celebrate the Winter Solstice
Even though it was yesterday, we are now past the shortest day of the year. Longer days, more sun and warmer weather walks are ahead. OK, let’s just think about that while we are outside freezing with our canine companions.
Tuesday December 23 – Last Minute Gift Wrapping
Don’t forget to wrap the presents for your pets, especially if your dog likes to unwrap their own presents. If it contains a squeaker or a dog treat, they may open it without you. My sister’s dog Molly, could unwrap any present, but not quite as patiently as Zoe in the video below.
Wednesday December 24– Hang Stockings by Chimney with Care.
Don’t forget to put out cookies and milk for Santa, carrots for reindeer, Milk Bones for dogs and catnip for kitties.
Thursday December 25 – Merry Christmas!
To get in the Christmas spirit, check out Jingle Pets - A Christmas Carol. Also, think pet safety. Then open presents and enjoy your holiday dinner. Don’t forget to give a little something extra to your pets – maybe an extra treat, toy or just a little poultry. It’s their holiday too!
Friday December 26 – Marathon Day After Christmas Shopping
Since you’ll be out bargain hunting early, you and your pets will need a good breakfast and a lot of water. If it’s nice out, you can warm up and stretch your muscles by taking your dog for a walk before you head out for a day of shopping. Don’t forget to look for bargains for them too.
Saturday and Sunday December 27 & 28 – Relax
Stay in with your pets and relax by the fire, by the glow of your plasma TV or with a big glass of wine/Scotch/eggnog. The holidays are stressful for everyone, including your pets. They’ll be happy that life is back to normal. If you still have extra energy, and unspent brain cells, enjoy this rather odd kaleidoscope below, then try to make one yourself here.
If you are interested in going green, check out The Recycled Retriever which offers eco-friendliness for pet lovers. They offer items for dogs, cats and owners that are environmentally friendly and a great value. You can also read more about them here.
By the way, if you have already purchased holiday gifts for your pet, you are not alone. According to the - How well do you speak pet's lingo? - Dispatch article, four out of ten pet owners said they still plan to buy holiday gifts for their animals -- about the same as last year. Considering that the USA has an estimated 61 million dogs and over 75 million cats, it looks like our furry friends are going to have happy holidays. I certainly hope they do!
For example, under the Animal Poison Control Center, there is a section calledDid You Know? I learn something new everyday writing this blog. Today I learned that yeast dough can be dangerous to pets – raw or uncooked yeast-based dough can not only expand in the stomach as it rises, causing an obstruction or intestinal rupture - and yeast can form alcohol when it rises, which could potentially result in alcohol poisoning. Now that more people are nesting and baking at home, this is great information to know.
If you own reptiles, you may not be aware that fireflies are potentially toxic to certain forms of reptiles. Also good to know.
With winter weather upon us, this is a good time to think again about disaster preparedness. ASPCA offers tips on Emergency Pet Preparedness and you can get a free Pet Safety Pack. Don't forget if you put a Rescue Alert sticker in the window letting rescue workers know that there are an animals inside, make sure it has a current date on it - a fire-fighter friend told me it's helpful for them to know the information is current. In fact, I just took the advice myself and updated the one I have displayed in our window.
Also, under Top 10 Ways to Save Money on Vet Care I learned that second-hand smoke can cause asthma, bronchitis, lymphoma and oral, nasal and lung cancers in pets. They ask smokers to “Toss the Cigarettes - Quit now and you’ll save money on vet bills. At the very least, avoid smoking around your pet.”
Rushed with everything you have to do for the holidays? Still need to wrap presents? Get holiday photos? Enjoy dinner and drinks? The good news is that you can do all those things this week and help animals in need at various animal shelters.
Monday December 15- Barnes & Noble Fundraising Gift Wrapping – Polaris Fashion Place 6 – 9 pm Ohio Pug Rescue (OPR) volunteers will be available to wrap holiday gifts for a donation because 100% of the proceeds benefit OPR rescue pugs.
Saturday December 20 - Fundraising Gift Wrapping Easton Barnes & Noble 10am-5pm
Sunday December 21 - Fundraising Gift Wrapping Easton Barnes & Noble 11 am - 2 pm
Volunteers from the Canine Collective will be on hand to wrap presents - all proceeds benefit the Canine Collective dogs and cats.
Sunday December 21 - Photos with Santa - Cozy Cat Cottage 9 am - 5 pm
Cozy Cat Cottage will be taking pictures of pets. All proceeds go directly to the "KIN FUND" Kittie IN Need. This fund helps us to provide extensive medical care to save those that need special care.
Sunday December 21 - Mingle with our Mutts - Franklin County Dog Shelter 12 - 2 pm
Meet dogs, cats, puppies and kittens looking for their forever homes. Local shelters, breed rescues and foster programs will be there and these experts can help you find the right pet for your family.
Sunday and Monday, December 21 and 22 – German Village Max & Erma’s – All Day
Dine in or carry out, and the Max & Erma’s will donate 20% of your purchase to the Citizens for Humane Action Animal Shelter (CHA). Please present the flyer from this page when you pay the check.
What a great event CAHS threw last night! Their Rex and the City party was very fun, and lots of members of CAHS – two-footed and four-footed – were in attendance. I have to admit to being a bad blogger – I forgot my camera. But in case you missed the event, I can tell you what happened so you can add it to your holiday plans for next year.
As we entered, we were greeted by Batman, the cutest black-and-white pit bull I’ve ever seen. He has so much personality! And of course, he was with one of the many CAHS volunteers. Upstairs were bunnies, puppies and kittens -- as well as tables and tables of silent auction items. Besides the steak dinner and cupcakes for dessert, I really enjoyed petting all the CAHS dogs -- they were out and about with the CAHS volunteers getting lots of love and attention. And you couldn’t ask for better behaved dogs. I think Albie would not have done as well – he would have been looking for a quiet place to take a snooze. Volunteers also had kitties making their rounds. The rabbits stayed in their fencing- preferring, I believe, to eat their lettuce and look adorable.
After dinner was the live auction and the introduction to every package was a stroll down the runway by a CAHS dog and human. Some of the dogs are current residents -- like Batman, Daisy and Hawk – while others have forever homes but came back to help out their old friends. Anthony Rothman of WSYX ABC 6 and Buckeye Football Fever (who is also a commissioned volunteer humane agent) and Buckeye Football Fever co-host and OSU football great Demetrius Stanley are two of the local celebs who worked the runway with canine companions.
I also did some Christmas shopping while I was there – CAHS has some great t-shirts. In addition to this (“BFF”) they have others that say "Sloppy Wet Kisses," “Joy” and “Wanna Cuddle.” The back of the t-shirts say “Get Yours. Capital Area Humane Society.” They are $15, come in sizes for men and women, and are available at the CAHS new retail store. And all the proceeds go directly to help the homeless animals.
Thanks again CAHS for all the great work that you do. And for a great party.
A lot has changed during the Capital Area Humane Society’s 125-year existence. For one thing, the group no longer includes protecting neglected children as one of its objectives.
Yes, that’s right. When two local teachers and several community leaders founded the group in 1883, the Humane Society of Columbus was tasked with defending children, women and livestock -- all vulnerable members of society -- as well as creating a public sentiment against the abuse of innocent creatures.
Today, the name is different (it was changed to the Capital Area Humane Society in 1973) and the list of who they serve is smaller, but the group’s core mission hasn’t changed at all. They still work to prevent cruelty to animals and help the bond between humans and animals to flourish.
The humane society still has the group’s daily logs from the 1890s, which paint a picture of how humane officers spent their days back then. In fact, they investigated cases just as today’s officers do, explained Mary Hiser, the humane society’s development manager.
A few of the entries from the original log book: “It is reported that David Y., who lives in Worthington, has a cow that he does not take proper care of. … Caused to arrest of Michael S., janitor of the post office, for cruelty to dog. The trial was held on the 17th. Found guilty, was fined three dollars and costs.”
The entries may sound a little silly, but Hiser takes comfort in reading about the outcomes of the cases. “It’s nice to know that even back then, people were charged a fine for negligent behavior toward animals,” she said.
Yes, that’s right. When two local teachers and several community leaders founded the group in 1883, the Humane Society of Columbus was tasked with defending children, women and livestock -- all vulnerable members of society -- as well as creating a public sentiment against the abuse of innocent creatures. 
