Many of you remember the awful terrors of the High Caliber K9 Kennels story (in Youngstown, Ohio). Although it’s local to me, it DID make national news through several outlets (Google it and you will see for yourself…) Many posts on this blog (go to the Search bar on the bottom right and type in Steve Croley, High Kaliber K9 or HB 70 to get to those posts) discussed the story of what happened there and the terrible aftermath.

(What they had found was horrifying: “Bones, carcasses, decay, it was horrible, it was enough to make you gag and throw up and cry”, said Nikole Owen CEO of Animal Charity. As per the article, http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/oct/23/dogs-at-kennel-found-dead/)

Many people lost their beloved dogs to that horrible facility, and even more people collaborated and got together to urge the state of Ohio to do something about it, prompting House Bill 70, also known as Nitro’s Law (after one of the dogs who died there). Nitro’s picture is posted here thanks to Nitro’s website.

H.B. 70 (as amended 11/09) passed in the Ohio House by a vote of 59-38:

AS INTRODUCED TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE – To amend section 959.99 of the Revised Code to increase the penalty for violation of the prohibition against cruel treatment of a companion animal by the animal’s custodian or caretaker to a felony of the fifth degree.

AS AMENDED BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE, 11/09 – To amend sections 959.131 and 959.99 of the Revised Code to specifically prohibit an owner of a kennel of dogs from committing cruel treatment of a companion animal by the animal’s custodian or caretaker and to give a prosecutor who prosecutes an owner of a kennel of dogs who commits cruel treatment of a companion animal discretion in prosecuting the owner for the offense.

Click here to view the live video stream of the vote – > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsUZ4lDCw34.

A very special thanks to Liz and Tom, proud guardians to the beloved Nitro, one of seven deceased canine companions found at High Caliber K-9, which served as the catalyst for this proposed legislation.

Liz and Tom have been incredible advocates to ensure the legacy of Nitro will not be forgotten. The Coalition to Ban Ohio Dog Auctions and ThoughtsFurPaws.com applaud their bravery, unrelenting strength and dedication to serving as a strong voice for those animals who cannot speak for themselves.

To read more about Nitro’s story, please click here: http://www.nitrofoundation.com/index.html.

To read more about House Bill 70, click here.

Thanks to my friend and dedicated animal welfare advocate Mary O’Connor Shaver for alerting me and many others to this unfortunate set of circumstances. (Find Mary at ColumbusTopDogs and BanOhioDogAuctions.com.)

NJ puppy mill breeders Edith and Perry Buchko of Howell, NJ, who had
hundreds of Chihuahuas and Shar Peis, have now moved their business
to Ohio.

For more information of this couple, click here to read page 6 of the article, “Howell Twp. Puppy Mill Dogs Find Lifetime of Love in Carteret” – > http://www.ahscares.org/downloads/HN-February%202010.pdf.

When it was ascertained that Windsong Acre Kennels, owned by Edith
& Perry Buchko, were “unloading” some of the older dogs, the kennels were visited by authorities and the Buchkos were urged to surrender as many as possible. They had NO running water and there were problems with septic and sewage. The animals needed more resources than they were able and/or willing to give them.

It has been shared that these dogs lived at a horrendous breeding kennel; some sick, many unkempt. Most of the dogs needed immediate vital dental work, had
gum infections, cataracts, overgrown nails and some had heart murmurs.
Most of the Shar Peis had heavy infestation of heartworm – an easily
preventable disease, and sadly many were blind since no veterinary care
had been given to those that suffered from entropion eyelids.

Cages were stacked three feet high, with several dogs in each small crate. Edith Buchko admitted dropping dogs on their heads because she and her husband are obese and cannot bend down to put them down after they pick them up, so they just drop them. One of them had seizures due to being dropped (again this was by her own admission). She picks them up by the legs or whatever part of their body she can grab, as it has been described that they all cower from her.

After a November 24, 2008 inspection, the Buchkos had to clean up the rodent infestation, feces, and some of the other violations. Buchko was convicted of animal cruelty in 1991 and in 1996; her ability to sell with AKC papers was terminated. So the Buchkos created their own private dog registry called the Purebred Canine International Association where she pocketed “registration fees.”

Edith Buchko was back in court in 2006 and has not abided by the Farmingdale judge’s mandate. Finally, the kennel license was revoked, and the Buchkos were disbarred from the AKC, but she continued to operate while fighting the SPCA and going in and out of court.

(If you Google her name you will see the list of charges she’s faced going back many years.)

The Buchkos cannot pass the regulations to continue as a kennel, and
now with the newly changed kennel laws in their county, rather than
give up her dogs they have moved their operation to Ohio.

It has been confirmed that Edith is now living approximately one hour from Cleveland on 23 acres of land. It is said she currently has over 400 dogs living in two garages, and that one of the primary reasons that she will remain in Ohio is because our state “doesn’t have any zoning or number restrictions,” and she could continue her breeding business as usual.

When will Ohio finally pass a puppy mill bill… (don’t even get me started)

Now this is a controversy I can get into. I have argued back and forth for and against the HSUS many times with many of you who read this blog.

I am re-posting this from the Care2 site. (Thank you Care2 but I just couldn’t have written it better.)

***Let me know what you think about the CCF (total bull**it group if you ask me), the HSUS, and the investigation.

The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) launched a watchdog project called HumaneWatch.org.  Their one goal is “to analyze the activities of the Humane Society of the United States,” an organization they say has “run off the rails.”

CCF thinks HSUS has gotten too big for their britches (do they still use that saying) and plans to bring them to their knees.  Through a blog by their Director of Research, David Martosko, a library and database they plan to scrutinize the group they refer to as “the animal rights industry’s most powerful player.”

HumaneWatch thinks the American public is being tricked by HSUS into believing their donations go primarily to local animal shelters to help individual cats and dogs, when most of the money actually goes toward legislative issues. 

Martosko said, “Someone has to ask the hard questions about the Humane Society of the United States, and HumaneWatch will be a relentless source of useful information.  Nearly 1 million Americans donate money to HSUS every year.  And most are completely unaware that they’re bankrolling PETA-style propaganda, far-reaching anti-meat campaigns, a huge staff of lawyers, and bloated pension plans for HSUS executives.”

As a co-founder of a local animal welfare organization and someone who has worked in animal rescue for more than a decade, I wish HSUS spent more money and time helping individual shelters, rescue groups and animals.  But I also see the necessity for groups like HSUS that are powerful, national organizations with the financial capability to initiate laws to protect animals and go after industries that abuse them.  

The HSUS website doesn’t look like they are trying to hide anything from the public. It states their main goal is to create a “humane and sustainable world for animals” and it talks at great length about their advocacy programs.  It doesn’t promise to give funds to “humane societies that deal with the thankless task of sheltering unwanted pets” – as stated by HumaneWatch. 

People visiting the website can easily access information about the organization’s latest financial statements and tax returns, which clearly explain how donations are used.  The website also lists the accomplishments made by HSUS from years past through the present. 

In 2010 their influence has already been felt in these areas:

• They worked with Ohioans for Humane Farming on a ballot question in the state.
• They rebuilt an animal shelter in Louisiana with a $250,000 grant.
• They are working with Missourians for the Protection of Dogs to end puppy mills through measure on the November 2010 ballot.
• HSUS took a large department store to court for mislabeling clothing with fur.
• They raided cockfighting operations in Texas and Mississippi, along with local law enforcement agencies.
• HSUS sent a team of veterinarians to Haiti to help animals that were victimized in the earthquake.

It appears the HSUS is being targeted by HumaneWatch because their success has touched a nerve with the members of CCF.  This is especially true in the realm of humane legislation.  According to Wayne Pacelle, CEO of HSUS the Center for Consumer Freedom represents factory farmers, the cattle industry, puppy mill operators and other corporations “working against public health.”

 In Pacelle’s blog he quotes a statement from Rick Berman of CCF the states the real reason behind the attack.  “With the passage of California’s Proposition 2, more people have come to realize the evolving threat of the power, influence, and growing wealth of the Humane Society of the United States.  Ballot initiatives and legislation similar to Prop. 2 will soon be introduced in more states.  HSUS’s massive budget, unwarranted positive public reputation, and deep-pocketed Hollywood friends will only become a greater threat to industry in a post –Proposition 2 business environment.  It is crucial that a key broad cross section of agriculture leaders start managing this nationwide threat now, before it is too late or too expensive to match HSUS dollar for dollar.”

 HSUS has been attacked before and come out the winner.  They will surely survive this bully tactic, as well. 

 However CCF has launched a massive PR campaign with Humane Watch and their press release made its way to hundreds of local newspapers, blogs and websites today.  If people only hear their point of view – innocent animals will be the ones to suffer. 

 Please help by setting the story straight. Research the background of CCF and speak out on behalf of animals.

*Graphic courtesy Care2 site as well. Thank you Care2.

After losing my precious tabby Theodore just one week ago, our dear white Golden Retriever Gibson crossed the Rainbow Bridge on Friday night, just five days after Theodore.

He died in the family room of our house of acute heart failure. After being rushed to the ER – the vets found CANCER ALL OVER HIS BODY, and once it hit his heart – he was gone. We had NO IDEA that he even had cancer – just like with Theodore. The cancer took Theodore in 13 days. Who knows how long Gibby had it.

Gibson came to us as a neglected and abused pup and therefore really appreciated the simple things in life: a nap on the cool fireplace, a frisky run in the park with Dad and brother Benson, chewing a stick on the fresh grass, laying in the sun for hours, a few pats on the ears…Gibson even tried to mimic our cats’ purring abilities when he was really happy by making this noise in his throat and nose. It is too cute to describe really…

He would have been a GREAT therapy dog, and several doctors and therapists told us so over the years. He was calm, cool and polite to everyone, loved to get his treats from Dad (his favorite person in the WHOLE WORLD was Dad because Dad rescued him from the awful breeder), and he cherished his favorite sleeping spot, the leather armchair in the family room next to the TV.

Gibby was a very special creature sent to us to teach us how to be patient, peaceful, forgiving, appreciative, and most of all, loving.

Please pray for him and my family as we are beyond devastated at this point.

Losing two precious kids in five days is like a nasty curse that I have no words nor thoughts to understand.

Thank you friends,

Jaime

We wanted to let all our dear friends and readers know that we are going out of town and hence, won’t be posting for about a week. Don’t worry – we’ll be back next Wednesday and will have all kinds of goodies to post:)

Thanks again everyone for all your heartfelt comments about my baby Theodore. Getting out of here for awhile is just what the Doctor ordered for me to get through my overwhelming grief…

See you soon, and Happy Valentine’s Day! Give the furkids some extra nip and treaties for the holiday to show your love, but not too many! And remember to keep them away from the chocolates and flowers, which could be poisoinous!

Love,

Jaime, Benson, Gibson and Sasha (and Theodore in spirit)

We all know Valentine’s is for lovers – and this year, it’s for pet lovers, too. Your readers can celebrate the holiday by giving pets special Valentine’s Day gifts or helping a homeless pet find love during the PetSmart Charities Second Chance for Love National Adoption Weekend this February 12-14 in all 1,149 PetSmart stores in the United States and Canada.

With a goal of finding homes for 16,100 dogs, cats and small animals, PetSmart expects more than 2,000 animal-welfare agencies throughout North America to participate.

During the last 14 years, the PetSmart Charities Adoption Centers have found homes for more than 4 million pets. For every minute that the Adoption Centers are open, one pet’s life is saved. (Please see below for additional adoption details.)

Adopt a new pet and receive:

- Free 4-5 lb. bag of Science Diet® pet food*

- Coupon for $7 off Science Diet® dog and cat food

- The Guide for Lifelong Health (a $30 value)

- Valuable coupons and samples

If you already have a four-legged Valentine, make sure to show your loved one some extra attention. This Valentine’s, PetSmart is offering unique gifts such as Valentine tanks and plush and loofa dog toys featuring hearts and sweet messages.

ABOUT THE SECOND CHANCE FOR LOVE NATIONAL ADOPTION WEEKEND:
Prospective adopters are encouraged to visit the PetSmart Charities’ Adoption Center inside any PetSmart® store in the U.S. and Canada from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, February 14. Adoptions are handled by participating animal-welfare groups. Call a PetSmart® store near you to find out about a specific agency’s set-up time during the three-day event. To find the PetSmart Charities’ Adoption Center nearest you, visit www.PetSmart.com or call 1-877-473-8762.

Well it’s terribly bad news today, partially expected yet still totally shocking. Theodore has andeocarcinoma, a very rare type of cancer and the vet did not remove all of it when he took the tumor and gall bladder out.

Theodore went severely downhill this weekend and could barely move this morning when I found him hiding behind the toilet in the bathroom. His temp was below 98 degrees, his eyes were sunken in the back of his head, and he couldn’t walk on his own he was so weak.

The Dr said he could try a feeding tube and steroids but with the metastisizing cancer cells, there was only a 20 percent chance Theodore would make it.

So – around 3:20 p.m. this afternoon Theodore was humanely euthanized and will be FOREVER LOVED, MISSED, and HONORED by his mother and all who knew him.

There was no cat quite like Theodore. He enjoyed the outdoors so much, running freely through the woods in the wind, chasing chipmunks, playing on his cat post at home, and snuggling at night time with whoever had open arms. He also knew how to open the crunchie cabinet and did so quite frequently. He slept by my side every minute when I was sick over the last 3 months, never leaving me alone…

Please do say a prayer for him and me, his mom, as I am a total wreck. Theodore was with me through some of the worst parts of the last 11 years of my life (as well as the good parts). I have never been bestowed such a loving and joyful gift as him and he will never be forgotten.

I love you Theodore, and I can’t wait to see you again someday.

Love, Mom

***Re-posting this email info (with a tidbit from me) from Ann at Zoolatry…for your info ***

Romeo and his family & some friends have begun a new blog — called BlogPaws!
 
Here’s what he told us… “the pet community is a special one – supportive, friendly and bound together by a passion for the furry members of our families.”
 
And he also told us about the first-ever conference just for the online pet community: BlogPaws 2010.
 
This conference is for us – all of us – a weekend for pet bloggers who are passionate about their pets, who spend an [inordinate] *** amount of time with online blogging, Tweeting and networking with their pet loving friends.
 
*** we pets do not think it is an inordinate amount of time at all
 
Sorry, we did not mean to digress here…
 
The conference will be held April 9 and 10, in Columbus, Ohio (please take note all our O-HI-O friends, it may be right down the road from you and you could just paw over there). It’s a get together for fun, networking and education.  You’ll learn how to monetize your blog, increase traffic, understand SEO, do product reviews or publish a book — and much, much more.
 
Romeo knows the e-con-o-mee is kind of ruff ‘n tuff right now, so he offered a special discount of 20% off the registration fee of $129.00 if you’re a Zoolatry friend.  That’s a real deal we think.

If you want to know more about the conference, you can visit the BlogPaws site… or you can email Romeo’s Mom, Caroline… her email is below.

If you would be kind enough to support this site and this great event, grab the logo or 20% off (coupon graphics in this post) and put it in your post or on the sidebar of your blog, and include the site link. 
 
So… from Romeo, and Maggy & Zoey (at Zoolatry)… go, take part in BlogPaws2010… have a great time, and share lots of meows, bow wows and paws-up with all your friends.

** And now from ME, Jaime, and ThoughtsFurPaws.com, we have already signed up and received a special room rate at the Westin where the conference is being held of $99 per night! (GREAT deal for downtown Columbus, trust us, we’re Ohioans who frequent the area). We sincerely hope as many of our readers, fans and friends can make it to the conference so we can meet face to face. Imagine how much fun it will be!
 
Link for BlogPaws           http://www.blogpaws.com
To email Romeo             caroline@romeothecat.com

The new and improved FURminator is the coolest and most easy to use pet brush EVER. I was sent a sample for review and the updates the company made to the original make the product even better than it already was!

The FURminator deLuxe Collection features the same premium quality, stainless steel edge and adds a sleek, enhanced design, which make grooming sessions at home faster and easier.

The new model has an ergonomic handle, making it easier to grip, the fine-toothed deshedding edge, which is the biggest feature if you ask me because it reaches beneath the top coat and grabs loose undercoat hair, and finally, it also has a really neat “FURejector:” a button you push that releases the hair you’ve trapped in the brush (so you can avoid pulling all the hair out of the comb with your hands and getting it all over the place!!)

FURminator deLuxe Edition

I have always been a FURminator fan, and never use any other pet brush. But actually, even my vet told me just this week (since I’ve spent so much time there this week…) that his lucrative grooming business uses only the FURminator line of products on all dogs and cats.

The deLuxe model includes tools designed for small, medium and large long- and short-haired dogs AND cats, so you can pick which model works best depending on the size of your animals.

I think the best part about FURminator products is that my cats and dogs actually LOVE the way they feel on their skin. They will sit in front of me for hours being brushed – which is unusual considering how hyperactive our animals are. And it’s also funny because they have learned to recognize the FURminator — when I go into the laundry room and pull it out of the cabinet it’s like they line up in a row, waiting to be brushed:)

I would highly recommend this product to any pet owner – it REALLY IS THE BEST PET BRUSH EVER CREATED.

You can find the magical new FURminator at pet specialty retailers and vet clinics, as well as online at www.furminator.com.

I’m excited to announce that ThoughtsFurPaws has been chosen to participate in the esteemed, invite-only BISSELL Corporation’s Pack of Pet Lovers blogger partnership.

Over the next year, you’ll see various posts about BISSELL and their involvement with animal welfare issues, shelter donations, and their overall unwavering dedication to animals, shelters and the pet rescue community.

From the BISSELL site: “At BISSELL, we’re definitely pet people; our products are developed by pet lovers for pet lovers. Not only do we love our own pets at home, but we love hearing about others’ pets! We’re sure you do too, so we have gathered some of our favorite pet blogs below for you to read. Enjoy!”

BISSELL is a wonderful corporation with a deep roots and dedication to the animal welfare cause – and I am so proud to be part of their “Pack of Pet Lovers.” I am often approached by corporations to be part of their blogging teams and thoroughly review them before participating. I can tell you that BISSELL is a highly respectable corporation with a deep love of animals and products to keep them healthy and happy.

You can look forward to all kinds of posts this upcoming year: product reviews, legislation updates, funny stories, and more. You’ll still see our normal postings here at ThoughtsFurPaws, but just some extra added fun and educational stuff for BISSELL.

I highly encourage you all to check out the BISSELL Pack of Pet Lovers page here for more information and some really cool posts and information. It’s a great site packed with other pet lover posts, pictures, interesting info and tips, and tons more. Please do visit frequently to see what the other BISSELL pet bloggers have to say:)

Thanks everyone,

Jaime