My poor girls this year! So many thunderstorms! As I’m sure you’ve all experienced, lots of pets just don’t dig the crackling lightening and booming thunder (heck, neither do I).
I always hate when they happen during the day because I’m not home to comfort my girls, and I can’t prep them like Bentley and his super anti-anxiety thunder cape.
So tonight I was glad to get home relatively soon enough to calm the girls down. Cup comes out when I come home no matter what. Stanley needed some coaxing from under the bed. But she needs to stay near me to feel safe, but still be positioned to return to bed (under). Here we are:

She’s close enough that I can reach out and touch. But see the tension? This is not relaxed kitty.

Paws tight together, haunches up, head alert (not looking at mama). But still so cute! Dang you bad evil weather!

Kitties, pups, cats and dogs who are needing homes, my apologies! It occurs to me that it’s been quite a while since I’ve put out pleas to get you adopted. Whack me on the head with a paper….bad girl! And even though these drive my Dad nuts (update: in earlier version of this post it seems I implied that Dad didn’t care and didn’t want everyone adopted. You should all know he is Beryl’s Dad, too. Sorry Dad. You’re right, they are just heartbreaking.) These guys touch my Dad’s heart, I hope they touch yours, too.
First, little Jenny. Check out the puss on this puss…. Read more of this entry »

Sorry, I can’t help being an editor. Doesn’t this sound like the dogs will be taught leadership skills and make new friends? I had to read this twice Anyway, this just in from Cornell Cooperative Extension in Rockland County.

Join 4-H Dog Obedience and Tricks classes to learn basic dog obedience, how to teach your dog to do tricks and learn self confidence, leadership skills and make new friends! Each program is 6-1 hour sessions. Maximum 10 youth per program. Classes will utilize 4-H curriculum and will be taught by Canine Coaching, CBC and CPDT certified trainers who really like teaching youth. Youth ages 8-18 and their dogs are welcome to register. All classes will be held in the Murchison Hall behind the New Hempstead Presbyterian Church in New City. The program fee is $100 for each youth and dog team. Level 1 sessions begin on July 16, August 1, October 8 and November 21. Level 2 session for graduates of Level 1 begins on September 26.

Contact Pat Hubbard, 4-H Youth Development Director at 845-429-7085 ext. 103 for more information and to register.

This really is a sweet little story. I don’t know who sent it to me, which shelter they went to, or how the pictures even directly relate to the tale! But it’s worth the read to the end. This story involves a little girl who has a very specific requirement about the type of puppy she wants. Read more of this entry »

This just in: Pomona, NY – The Rockland County Department of Health will hold a rabies vaccination clinic on Sunday, July 12, 2009 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Fire Training Center, 35 Firemen’s Memorial Drive in Pomona. There is no charge for the vaccination, but a $5 donation per pet will be accepted to help defray costs.

Animal rabies continues to be a serious public health problem in Rockland County. The County Department of Health reminds all residents to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that the vaccinations are kept up to date.

For more information on animal rabies or the vaccine please call the Rockland County Department of Health at 845-364-2594.

I don’t know this cat, so there’s not much to say, but it’s such a cute and funny picture (Thanks Di!) So let’s play “create your own photo caption.”

Here’s some to start:

Oh my! Is that sunshine outside!

Urp. Excuse me.

I can’t believe you did that!

Oh my, you’re in trouble!

I think this plant is gonna make me sick….

Ow! My nose!

Oooh. Scary.

Just had to give a shout out to the students from Haverstraw Middle School’s KnitLit Club, which recently donated nine hand-knitted blankets to Hi-Tor Animal Care Center. The students presented the items to Vivian Kiggins, the shelter’s executive director, at a recent KnitLit meeting.
Here’s one doggie enjoying the new blankies…. Read more of this entry »

…especially since there’s sleeping going on. This is Pavel’s kitteh, as he likes say. Pavel is a buddy from the Rangers Report, where I’ve been guest blogging and collecting fans’ kitty pics. Pavel, you’re up…does beautiful kitteh have a name?

I’m thinking of getting an agent for Stanley, maybe make some extra dough off her adorableness. Too bad she heads for under the bed when there’s anyone but just me around.

Two events of note from the SPCA of Westchester, 590 N. State Road, Briarcliff Manor. For more information, visit www.spca914.org.
• Now through June 28 and during the weeks of July 25 to 31 and Aug. 24 to 30, adopt a cat and receive all kinds of free giveaways for your new feline friend. You can also adopt two cats for the price of one. Here are two available…Ying and Yang. Precious!
• July 25 at 8 p.m., Dave Bickler of the popular 1980s group Survivor and The Saw Mill Summer Theatre Group perform classic hits dating back to the 1970s at a fundraiser for the SPCA. There will be refreshments, food and raffle prizes. The event is at Rosenthal JCC of Pleasantville. All proceeds support the shelter animals. Tickets are $25.