Have dreams of owning a horse? Now's the time to buy. It's bad out there! Soaring hay costs and a crippled economy are causing horse owners to try to bail out -- but the problem is, no one's buying horses. You can't give them away.

I'm lucky to have two "air ferns" who can grow extremely fat on pasture grass... And for now I have enough pasture to keep them. But winter is always comin'... And hay prices have doubled in the past year and they continue to rise.

There's an interesting article about this problem in GoSkagit.com.

There's a delightful story about Funny Cide, the retired Kentucky Derby winner, in TheHorse.com.

Kinda reminds me of how, in Seabiscuit's later years, owner John Howard used him to herd cattle!

I was at a barbecue yesterday and went inside the house to use the bathroom. The family's eight year old Rottweiler allowed me to pass by on my way in. I spoke to him pleasantly. When I came out of the bathroom, he decided to corner me in the hallway.

I was alone in the house with this eighty lb dog that was barking and growling in my face. I just stood there not moving, and talked to him, but he continued to advance and bark.

I have lived with and worked with big dogs all my life. I am not generally timid with dogs and it takes a lot to shake me up. I know when a dog is bluffing, and this one wasn't. I stood perfectly still and just basically waited to be rescued, hoping in the meantime Max the Rottie wouldn't decide to have me for lunch.

Finally the owners came in from outside and grabbed him by the collar.

"I don't get it," I said. "He let me come in with no problem."

"Yeah, it's when people try to leave that's the issue," the owner said. He chuckled fondly. "He has bitten a couple of times. But usually he's just kidding around."

There was no apology, no explanation and no chastising of Max. Apparently this is just a risk that house guests are forced to take. Needless to say, that's the last they will see of me.

Last year, here in Michigan, two people were killed by a pack of roaming American Bulldogs. It happened not far from where I live.

And then there's Cujo, the neighbor's German shepherd still on a rampage. I went horseback riding down the road the other day with Becky, my neighbor, and Cujo came bouncing out at us like usual. This time, there was no Cajun to warn him off with a perfunctory glare. So Cujo came all the way out into the road while his owners called in vain from the front porch.

Becky told me a horror story of how she was jogging one day and Cujo ran out after her. He grabbed her foot, pulled her down and mauled through her tennis shoe.

Ironically, it was Gracie, Becky's own American Bulldog who came to her rescue that day. It took Cujo's two owners to pull her off him. As Becky stood there with her torn up shoe and bleeding foot, she was chastised for running with a vicious bulldog!

I've filed one complaint about Cujo already to animal control and yet he continues to harrass passersby.

The owners of dogs like this never fail to boggle my mind. There is a machismo about this that is so sad and misguided. It is a huge disservice to what could have been a wonderful pet. I could see by Max's expression that he is an intelligent dog. And I know that Cujo is. Through no fault of their own, they have ended up in the hands of idiots. I wonder how far this behavior has to go before the dogs end up impounded or euthanized. And then, people like this just go out and acquire another dog to raise in the same dysfunctional way.

Breeding bans won't help -- the forbidden becomes only more attractive to people with this mentality.

So, in the interest of preventing another one of THESE, I adopted a German shepherd pup today. Actually he's a little over a year old, but still a pup in his mind. He belonged to my 90 year old neighbor who couldn't handle him. The dog has never been properly leash trained, and pulled the owner's arm out of its socket. My neighbor, Eddie, can no longer raise his arm above shoulder level.

I don't have a name for him, yet. Still thinking. He had his first lesson in leash walking today though. He's a smart guy and I know he's going to come around really fast. He likes to play and has a good nature about him.

So, here's to one German Shepherd who won't be terrorizing any neighbors.

Posted with permission:

WORKING MILITARY DOGS IN SERIOUS NEED OF HELP !!

I was listening to the radio, as usual, on my way to work the other day (KMPS Seattle) and 'Stubbs' (their regular mid-day broadcaster) had a segment interview with Support Military Working dogs. They (KMPS) do a lot of community outreach, and Stubbs, in particular always has her sights and ears up on animal needs in the Seattle Area. This particular interview made me very embarrassed and sad that we have no desert gear for our Military Working Dogs in Iraq; none, nada, zero help from the military to help solve the serious issues with our K9 troops.

The heat in the desert, along with the blowing sand makes it difficult for these dogs to do their jobs. They need chilly coats and foot gear and goggles. They also need containers for their food so the rats don't eat the food faster than they can get it served to the dogs. Their leashes are wearing out. These are the SAME dogs that SERVE AND PROTECT our troops!

The troops, right now, are doing things like duct-taping their own personal socks on the dog's feet so that the melting asphalt doesn't burn their pads. The melted asphalt burns their pads and blocks the ability for the dogs to dissipate the heat through their pads.

To outfit a single dog takes $300. Their goal is to outfit all 45 kennels, approximately 300 dogs, with chilly-vests, Muttluks (boots), and goggles. *MY* math says this is just short of $100,000. These dogs are not getting the equipment they need from the military.

I'd like every dog club in the country to know of this problem. I think we need to help where we can. These military dogs are working in mind-boggling, daunting conditions.

If every person on this list gave $10. It would be a huge chunk of change for these people to properly outfit these working military dogs. I sure don't think these dogs should be dependant on private donations. I think our MILITARY FUNDING should be helping cover these needs; but apparently, PRIVATE donations is all they have to work on for the solution.

I'm going to bring this web site to the attention of every dog group AND CARING PERSON that I can think of. I think we should be helping where we can. I also plan to let the appropriate political offices know that we are dropping the ball on this. These dogs need help. The troops need help to help their dogs. Our military funding should be doing this job.

To help, go here:
http://www.supportmilitaryworkingdogs.org/index.html

Download the PDF brochure (lower left of the home page), read it, and contact Starline Nunley, the founder (She is a member of Gem City Dog Club) if you have other questions. Read the info, and judge for yourselves. I think I just found a $20.00 bill in my winter coat pocket as I was putting it away for the season; it is ear-tagged for this project. I think I'll pass on my latte' next week, too.

Linda Hale

Permission granted to CROSSPOST until your brains fall out. Get the word out to every dog club you can find. These people are working to solve a serious MILITARY WORKING DOG PROBLEM that needs money to solve the issues. It really needs to be sponsored by our war funds, but apparently it isn't 'covered' under the current funding of the war.

It's with a heavy heart that I write this goodbye to my friend of nine years, the mighty Cajun. He had so much presence that it's hard to believe his life could end so abruptly in sudden illness.

He was in every way the perfect German shepherd. He was black and red, 80 lbs, a tall and imposing figure, but he was always gentle and completely reliable with kittens and little kids.

Cajun was a hero in his own right, having saved the lives of many other dogs during his years as a universal blood donor.

He was smart, strong and versatile. We never competed, but throughout his life Caje became adept at tracking, obedience, agility, flyball, and bite work. He played frisbee and swam. He knew lots of tricks and performed on stage with me in one of my plays. He was my bicycling and trail riding partner. He did everything asked of him with boundless energy. His energy level drove me nuts sometimes, but he kept me hopping and that was good for me. He was always happy and always ready to get moving. I hope that I have learned something from his zest for life. He was a hugely important part of mine.

Thank you Caje-man, for watching over the fur kids and me, for keeping us safe over the years. I hope you knew how much you were cherished. You did great.

Cajun von der Zalens
February 18, 1999 - May 22, 2008

Ella is listed as a terrier and beagle mix. But she's actually an Imported Puerto Rican Pup! Isn't she cute? Here's what her description says:

Ella was rescued from the streets in Puerto Rico where she had been abandoned and left to fend for herself. She was very frightened, hungry and very happy to be rescued. Ella is about 18 months old and weighs 25 lbs. She is shy at first but warms up to kindness. Ella is sweet, loving and gets along with all other dogs. Ella is spayed and has been vaccinated.

Ella is available through Animals In Need in Kingston. If you are interested in adopting her, please go to www.animalsinneed.net and complete the adoption form.

Remember the story of Jeff and Freedom, the bald eagle, which circulated the internet back in March? Jeff had over 4,000 emails in response to his story in just a few days' time. He and Freedom continue to make public appearances to promote the preservation of wildlife.

I am proud to call Jeff a friend. He has a new blog. You can check it out here:
http://eaglewalker1.blogspot.com/

I thought this cat was very cute and content-looking, but the thing that really sold me on her was her eloquent description!

"Looking for a single cat who won't lay a guilt trip on you for not having another cat to keep her company? Look no further! Your undivided attention when you are home and a warm spot to remember you by when you are not is all Vixen craves. Coat of cashmere and silk, eyes of jade and amber, wanton purrs of the outboard variety. Resist this cat if you can; we dare you! Vixen is waiting for you at Friends of Campus Cats; call 206-524-7326 for a meeting you won't regret. Spayed, vaccinated, combo-tested, parasite-free. All you need add is love. "

Friends of Campus Cats is a group "dedicated to the rescue and humane management of feral cats on the University of Washington campus, practicing trap / test / vaccinate / alter / return, and providing assistance and advice to others who wish to do the same."

Kudos to your alma mater, Vixen! Here's hoping you'll graduate soon.

Here's another movie star that I would instantly nab for myself. This dog is totally adorable!

I have to admit, the $400 adoption fee gives me pause. While I of all people understand that rescue and fostering dogs is expensive, adoption fees should not be so high that they cater to the wealthy.

After all, this is what donations are for -- to care for the animals and cover expenses. Adopting rescued dogs should not be free. But while an adoption fee should accompany the dog, it should not necessarily bear the burden of expenses for whatever exorbitant costs the group may have incurred.

Perhaps this organization needs to bump up its fundraising efforts?

Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox and on to the description of Terrence:

Are you kidding me, this guy could get adopted on looks alone but he is SMART SMART SMART. He will be the star student when you take him to obedience training. At about thirty pounds, Terrence is affectionate and a little movie star in the making. Adoption donation $400.00. PLEASE READ:

Initial interview by phone. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL.

Please phone (10AM TO 6PM 0NLY) Kim at 425.888.9322. DO NOT TELEPHONE OUTSIDE OF THESE HOURS.

NOTE: Due to the high volume of telephone calls we receive daily at TRR (on avg. 50 ), it often takes between 3-4 days for us to get back to people. Please repeat your number twice. Please say the NAME of the animal you are interested in. Thank you so much for your patience!

Terrence is available through Three Rivers Rescue
Snoqualmie

Well, it's Day 26 and I'm happy with the results so won't wait any longer. I've been using StemEquine, a stem cell enhancer designed for horses, with Clifford. It's a new product having only been on the market for a couple of years.

It's not a cure for his arthritis. He still has days where he is stiff and can't use the leg like he used to. But he is so much happier than he was, that alone makes the difference. I haven't resorted to Bute or steroid injections. I might start adding a glucosomine supplement back to his diet now that the "test run" is over.

StemEquine is pretty palatable; it's a powder that I just mix with his feed and he eats it right up. It contains a plant that induces the release of Cliffy's own stem cells which are already present in his body. I don't know the details -- I just know it has made a difference for us. But those who would like more info can check out this FAQ page.

I like it so well that I decided to become a distributor so I can get discount rates for this and for StemEnhance for my dad to try. (They make human and pet products too.)

In my humble opinion this is definitely worth a shot and I would love to hear results from other people.

Thanks everyone for all the good thoughts and wishes for Cliffy and me. You guys are the best!