I wanted to share a little story — the story of how I rescued Sasha and how much love we share today, ten years later.

I was a senior at Colorado State University in Fall of 2000. Sasha was born in December 2000. In the spring of 2001, I was looking for a second cat, a rescue. Actually, I was waiting for a rescue to find me as it were…

A roommate of mine said she had a classmate with a 6-month-old black kitten that she “could not take care of anymore.” Yeah, right. I went over to check it out and left with a new cat under-arm and almost swiped the previous owner across the face for the conditions of not only the home, but the cat. The only thing I wasn’t displeased with was this little black fluffball’s name: Sasha. It was my favorite DJ’s name (I was big into music in college…)

Sasha, aka 'Poopsie" or "Sash-Kash-B'Gosh"

Sash had pretty much been neglected for the previous two months. She was full of mats in her long hair, dirty, covered in fleas, underfed, underweight, and had an attitude towards women like a scorned lover. She was PISSED. It took some time for her to warm up for sure; once she realized she was safe, once she understood she was free, and once she got the concept of regular mealtimes and decent food (and treats!!), she was warming up. She also LOVED my other roommate’s new Persian kitten James. The two of them would play and chase each other around the house and it would just look like a blur of gray and black fur meshed together!

Sasha grew up in a house with five girls and LOTS of foot traffic (parties, study groups, etc). She became an outdoor cat because her older brother, my beloved Theodore, was already an expert outdoorsman. Sasha relished her time outside – she would stay out for hours chasing things, lolling in the grass, trying to climb things (previous owner de-clawed her) and taking naps in the shade or on the front porch. Every time I came home from class, she and Theodore would run to greet me. It was like having two dogs! She had a bad medical scare that year in Colorado – the exact reason escapes me but I do know she almost lost a paw and I spent a fortune at the famous CSU Veterinary Clinic saving her… poor thing.

After graduation we moved back home to Orange County, California. She perfected her bird-hunting skills there (and lizards, ew), and loved the sunshine. All the neighbors new Sasha as she had a tendency to go into their open garages to nose around. Sometimes she would get stuck and I would have to wake up a family at 10 pm to get my cat out of their garage. We moved back to Cleveland, OH in summer of 2006. Sasha loved being around the four seasons again and has never let deep snow stop her from going outside. She either stands on top of it or waits for me to shovel paths for her.

Today Sasha is a therapy cat. My neighbor has suffered from breast and bone cancer for years and Sasha has been playing nurse for three years. EVERY SINGLE MORNING, she eats, then goes outside and makes a beeline for the neighbor’s house. She’ll go in there and just rest beside Laura, the patient, or she’ll follow her around the house. She always lets everyone over there pet her and often purrs for them, which is not a common occurrence. Sash is the most independent cat I’ve ever had so for her to be so reliant on the love and affection of a neighbor is strange, but I’ve gotten used to it.

Sasha has worked miracles for Laura, and Laura will be the first to tell you so. She’s the shining light in Laura’s day many days. And Sash KNOWS when it’s not a good day for Laura – she will just itch to go over there and get inside to help Laura through what must be agonizing pain and discomfort. She even follows her into the bathroom. And the garage. And the back porch. And as of now, every single night, either I go over there to get my cat or she is brought home by her ‘boyfriend,” Laura’s husband, who Sasha just adores. (She prefers men since a female first neglected/abused her.)

I am perfectly fine with sharing my cat. Sasha still sleeps right next to my head in bed every single night. Like clockwork, she makes herself cozy and waits for me to turn in. She knows I have a special treat drawer for her in my room that the other cats don’t have access too. She has her own blanket and special pillow.

Sasha is loved dearly by all who meet her. The whole neighborhood knows her as she makes her “rounds” to visit others as well. And when they all hear me on the porch at 8 pm yelling “Sasha,” Ill often hear an echo from a neighbor! Sasha comes like a dog when I call her, even though it’s time to come in for the night. She is a lot like a dog actually, just like Theodore was. They learned at a young age to respond to my commands and to be loving and generous to everyone they cross paths with.

So here’s the deal–if you love your pet as much as I love my pets, you could win a $100 Visa gift card just by participating in the ProPlan campaign shown on this page of the BlogPaws site.

Who wouldn’t like to win a $100 Visa gift card? So head on over there and check it out – but first, tell me in the comments how you rescued your pet or how much you love your pet today!

This is my joke for the week…. the post title does reflect the content but in a different way than most of our dirty minds’ tell us initially.

Let’s start the week off on a light-hearted note with some silly, stupid, funny and fun pet pictures! Let’s start the week off with a little laugh… all of us. Some of these photos were borrowed from our dear friends on Facebook – you know who you are. Others are of our own comedic pets, and yet others are just random funny pet pictures from the Internet that I found and had a good laugh at…

Benny Roaching

Dane and Kitten

Doggie Mohawk

Emily Reitz's Kitty

Franklin the Wonder Basset

Gracie Likes to Bathe Franklin

Gracie Lou Who

Hot Dpggin' Dog

Life With Dogs Photo I

Max in a Box

Max Stretching in His Sleep

Max's Other Favorite Sleeping Position

Silly Daschunds

Sweet Rubby-Dubby Kitty

Sweet Tiger Lily

Tater Tot in His Box!

Okay, we have so much swag built up in the house that we need to unload it! So we are adding on to the Kyjen contest and having our own separate photo contest! Some of you read about this previously, but we need to hurry it up! Send your funny pet photos in for us to post at thoughtsfurpaws@gmail.com!

Readers will comment and vote on them, ultimately deciding the winners!

We’re giving away dog and cat food, toys, trinkets and bath stuff for dogs, plus more swag that’s a surprise!

So send us your funny pet photos NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 20th at NOON. Winners will be announced at 1 pm that same day, and prizes will be shipped the next day standard mail. (You should get them by New Years depending where you live.)

Get on the Kodaks and get snappin’ now! This is open to everyone and anyone!

ATTN TO: The 824,810 signers of “Tell Petland to STOP Selling Puppies!”

I posted about this in June and a few people got really fired up; then the more people found out about the stores that bought from puppy mills the real backlash began.

Thanks to the help of the Humane Society you can. You can, even if you don’t live there.

Petland Protesters Freezing Their Butts Off For the Cause...!

The pathetic USDA gave itself a failing grade in terms of keeping up with mills back in April (“USDA Gives Itself a Failing Grade in Puppy Mill Enforcement”) – Change.Org Animals

An internal audit (pdf) by the USDA’s Inspector General’s office found serious problems with the USDA departmentresponsible for keeping breeders in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act.

All in all, it’s a pretty sorry situation. At a time when puppy mills are finally receiving at least a small amount of mainstream attention, the folks in charge of punishing animal abusers prefer namby-pamby “cooperation” over punishment, and when they have to punish, they usually go for the lightest possible penalty.

Among the findings:

• The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Animal Care Division (the folks who are actually supposed to inspect dog breeders) “was ineffective in achieving dealer compliance with AWA and regulations.”
• The Animal Care Division “chose to take little or no enforcement action against most violators,” instead choosing to take the less-punitive route of “education and cooperation.”
• Inspectors “did not correctly report all repeat or direct violations (those that are generally more serious and affect the animals’ health). In addition, some inspectors did not always adequately describe violations in their inspection reports or support violations with photos.”
• What about the puppy mill cases where the inspectors actually bothered to report and document abuse? Not such good news there either. Apparently, “the agency continued to assess minimal penalties that did not deter violators.”
  

  CRAMMED, COLD Puppy Mill in MO

• And speaking of not deterring violators, “Typically, AC does not take enforcement action against first-time violators, even if the inspector identifies a direct violation (i.e., one that hasa high potential for adversely affecting the health of an animal).”

Rescued Rare Breed Puppy

Let’s talk about the response from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. As was the case with the report on livestock inspections in February, he claims that it didn’t happen on his watch. He’s correct, by the way; this report covers the time period stretching from October of 2005 through September of 2008.

In short, it wasn’t his fault but it’s his problem now. The question is, will Vilsack actually change anything? He’s committed to “reinforce [USDA's] efforts under its animal welfare responsibilities, including tougher penalties for repeat offenders and greater consistent action to strongly enforce the law.”

Vilsack can talk the talk. He’s got legions of bright young governmental PR people to help him do that. But actually cleaning up USDA’s reprehensible record on animal welfare is going to take more than rhetoric and hand-wringing.

Twice this year, Vilsack’s department has been called out in public for lax enforcement of some very important laws. Twice this year, he’s eaten his humble pie and pledged reform. He’s right in pointing out that he didn’t cause these problems, but it’s time to stop talking and start fixing.

Some members of Congress get that, which is why Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and David Vitter (R-LA) are introducing the PUPS (Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act), which updates and strengthens parts of the Animal Welfare Act. You can do your part as well, by calling on your Senators to support the PUPS Act. The Animal Law Coalition has a good summary of the proposed bill here.

Tell Congress to Crack Down on Puppy Mills

Stand up for puppies – help us pass the PUPS Act

In the wake of an eye-opening audit showing serious flaws in investigation and enforcement of animal cruelty at puppy mills, Senators Dick Durbin and David Vitter are introducing the H.R.6949 PUPS (Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act).

This bill strengthens the existing Animal Welfare Act and helps the US Department of Agriculture crack down on unscrupulous breeders who put profit ahead of animal protection.

You may have heard about the campaign to vote YES on Proposition B, the Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Act, which will help thousands of dogs languishing in puppy mills all across Missouri. It’ll amend the Animal Welfare Act to provide further protection for puppies.

*** Now we need YOU to help us help them!***

Get started here | View Petition | Ask Friends to Sign

You can help by signing up to participate in our virtual dog walk, The Walk for Pups. Create your page and share it with your friends and family on Facebook.

For two weeks, animal lovers across the nation will Walk for Pups to help stop puppy mill abuses in Missouri. Will you join us — and help thousands of dogs without ever leaving your own neighborhood (or even your own home)? When you join us on this “virtual” walk, you’ll support the campaign to pass Proposition B, a measure to establish common sense standards for the care of dogs in Missouri dog breeding facilities.

Infamous Amish Country Puppy Mill Block Pre-Auction: Disgustingt works: For 2 weeks in October, you can pledge to walk two miles (in your own neighborhood, and with or without a dog), and raise $200 from friends and family to support 200,000 breeding dogs in Missouri.

Here’s how it works:

Simply create your own Walk for Pups page, set a goal to raise $200 (or any other amount) to help save dogs, and invite your friends and family to help you reach your goal. And don’t forget to add a picture of your dog (or any pet) to your page.

When you create your page, we’ll send you an official Walk for Pups bandana for your pet!

In addition to helping save thousands of dogs across Missouri, you’ll have the opportunity to win one of our Walk for Pups prizes. Everyone who reaches their $200 goal will receive a special edition hoodie.

♥♥♥♥♥ Plus, prizes will be given for reaching $500, $1,000, and grand prizes for the Top Fundraiser and the Best Walk for Pups Photo. ♥♥♥♥♥

Check out our full list of prizes here.

Still have questions?

Visit our FAQ page.

Everyone who creates a page receives a FREE dog bandana plus the chance to win a ton of other cool prizes, like a special edition hoodie, a shopping spree at our online store, and more!

♦Pieces of post taken from different writers on CHANGE.org, my own posts, HSUS and Martin Matheny.

Other Puppy Mill and Dog Welfare News & Events

(stay tuned next week when we tackle dog auctions!)

October 20, 2010 — Customers File Suit Against Notorious Missouri Puppy Mill For Selling Sick and Dying Dogs

• 

  A group of consumers filed suit in the Randolph County Circuit Court against notorious Missouri puppy mill S & S Family Puppies for selling consumers sick and dying puppies.

October 18, 2010– Former Missouri Senator and Statesman Jack Danforth Endorses Prop B to Prevent Puppy Mill  Cruelty in Missouri

• 

  The coalition of individuals and animal welfare organizations supporting Proposition B, the statewide ballot measure to stop puppy mill cruelty, is pleased to announce that former U.S. Senator Jack Danforth has endorsed the measure.

October 18, 2010– California Consumers Help Drive Cruel Missouri Puppy Mill Industry

• 

  Thousands of puppies shipped from Show-Me State to Golden State during 2009, including dozens from some of the worst puppy mills in Missouri.

October 12, 2010 — Jackson County Endorses Prop B to Prevent Puppy Mill Cruelty in Missouri

• 

  The coalition supporting Prop B, the Missouri ballot measure to stop puppy mill cruelty, applauds the Jackson County legislature for unanimously approving a resolution supporting passage of Proposition B.

More News & Events »

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Throw Your Own Party for Pups!

On Sunday, October 3, join animal lovers across the nation and throw a Party for Pups –

in your home or at a local bar or restaurant —

and help save thousands of puppy mill pups on Election Day.

At puppy mills in Missouri, dogs are crammed into small and filthy cages, denied veterinary care, exposed to extremes of heat and cold, and given no exercise or human affection. These puppy mills are cruel and the way these dogs are treated is wrong.

 HSUS makes it easy for you to host a party and make it successful. Just sign up here to use the easy tools on the website—then create your own house party event page, establish a fundraising goal, send invitations to friends and family, and collect donations through our secure website.

Proposition B, which Missourians will vote on this November, will stop puppy mill abuses by establishing common sense standards for the proper care of dogs.

Give these dogs a reason to celebrate in November — plan a Party for Pups and support Prop B on October 3.

As a host, you can create your own party page, establish a fundraising goal, send invitations to friends and family, and collect donations through our secure website. Then during your party, you and your guests can join a live call to action broadcast from St. Louis — bringing together thousands of others across the country partying for a purpose.

Because most of the dogs bred in puppy mills are exported from Missouri to states across the nation, this is a national issue for all of us to be concerned about.

Help Prop B pass — and have fun, too — by hosting a Party for Pups.

And then on the day of your party, join with thousands of others across the country on a nationwide conference call linking all the parties.

This post stems from an idea/concept created by Milo and Alfie (in the CB). They would like us all to take a stand against cancer in cats on October 2nd, which is coming up soon!

So how many of you out there have lost a cat to cancer? Or how many know someone who has lost a cat to cancer?

I’m guessing everyone raised their hands on both of those questions…and that is why this is so sad, yet such an important movement. We need to start motivating everyone – those who aren’t in the pet blogosphere, or those who don’t have a dog blog or cat blog – to join in the fight. There are plenty of animal lovers out there who don’t blog… we just have to get them to join us!

I received the word about Live Strong Day from the fabulous KC at CB and our dear friend Ann at Zoolatry. (She’s the fantastic graphic artist behind the badges you can choose at Milo and Alfie’s for your post or sidebar.)

Milo and Alfie say:

“We say: WEAR YOOR LIVESTRONG BRACELET wiv PRIDE!  And if yoo are helping us support LIVESTRONG by going  YELLOW on October 2nd 2010! Please snag yoorself a tag  to put on your blog ~ and don’t forget to TELL EFURRYONE to join in!”

———————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Live Strong Against Cancer

The idea is to dedicate October 2 to taking a stand against cancer in cats by ”going yellow.”  Wear something yellow, dress your pet in yellow, paint your nails and toenails yellow; anything you can do to promote the message is just fine!

I plan to dress in yellow, write in yellow text and make donations on October 2 to the cancer-fighting organizations I mention below. This is just one small part of my intention to Be the Change - the concept created by some of the BlogPaws founders/members…

(You will hear more about Be The Change throughout the rest of the year and into next Spring as I have many super-secret plans under my belt to make a GREAT change here in Cleveland especially…)

 I am also taking the October 2nd opportunity to stand against the cancer in dogs:   the evil Cancer monster has taken three of my dogs (all Golden Retrievers) in the past 13 years. 

Youall might remember that nasty Cancer-man taking my precious Theodore this past February as well.

(And if you remember that, then you remember Gibson’s passing just four days later…again from the evil Cancer monster. )

Since February, I have  been learning more about and studying organizations that collect donations to find a cure or other means of (at least) comforting the pain that cancer-ridden cats and dogs go through: the National Canine Cancer Foundation and the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund.

Both organizations are reputable non-profits, and NCCF in particular has a TON of state and local/county groups that you can join or volunteer for.

So everyone should go and grab a badge at Milo and Alfies for October 2nd.

Let’s all LIVE STRONG – like Lance Armstrong –

and stand up against cancer in our pets.