Anoles, pronounced as /e-noul-iz/, belong to the lizard family. They are the most common pet lizard in the world, often called American chameleons for their ability to change color. Anoles are intelligent but shy creatures and, though best left in their housing, can become somewhat comfortable with being handled. However,  they require very gentle handling and can easily be crushed and stressed. Never pick them up by the tail as they may drop it. The tail will grow back but not the same as before. Unfortunately, because they are so readily and inexpensively available, there are still a huge number that suffer inappropriate care, either because of ignorance on the part of the owner, laziness or downright apathy.

WildRescue, Inc of Lewisville, Texas, recently rescued over 1,000 animals such as this Green/Bahama Anole from a raid on US Global Exotics. Find out about adopting by calling Wild Rescue at 940-442-8289.

HOUSING

Anoles that have been bred in captivity generally make better pets than wild-caught lizards as they will be less stressed. Just remember, they still require a commitment to their continual care (they can live 4 – 8 years) and don’t assume they are less expensive than larger, more exotic reptiles. The initial set-up of their habitat will be just as costly. But once your anoles are happily ensconced in their abode, you will be able to enjoy a wonderful slice of tropical landscape in your home.

Other resources:

http://www.anapsid.org/anole.html

“Precisely the least, the softest, lightest, a lizard’s rustling, a breath, a flash, a moment – a little makes the way of the best happiness.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Remy

16 month, blue-brindle, female pitbull. 40-45 lbs who will be coming in heat anytime now. If you’re interested, please email me. Thank you. Rehoming fee of $250 obo.

That’s how a recent post read on Craigslist. But it left me with a few questions like……. If she’s such a good girl, why are you getting rid of her? Is she usually tied out on such a short chain and with no water in her bowl? Does that mean she doesn’t get exercised and isn’t socialized? Why is she not spayed? Did you breed her or were you just too cheap or too ignorant to ensure she couldn’t have pups, especially by some stray who might mount her while she’s tied outside?

The most pertinent question, of course, is why did you get a dog in the first place?

Here’s another…..

Cute dog needs a good home!

4 month Golden Retriever/Boxer needs a good home!

He is crate trained and is a very active puppy. He can already sit, shake, and lay down. He is more of an inside dog and does not run off when you take him outside. Needs a home where he can be inside most of the time and not tied up! $25 rehoming fee to let us know that you are serious about keeping him.

For crying out loud, he’s just four months old! And the way he’s dressed I’d say he was a Christmas puppy so somebody really put a lot of thought into this (note the biting sarcasm) because 9 weeks ago you had to know you couldn’t afford a dog! Or is it just that you didn’t think? You didn’t think that puppies chew, they need to be house-trained, they need time and effort and patience! You didn’t think that this is a living creature and by bringing him into your home you would be making a lifetime commitment; that a puppy is not like an old rag that you use for a while then throw away.

Oh, and by the way, how much did you pay for this pup? Must have been less than $25 if you think that’s all it takes to find someone “serious about keeping him”.

And here’s a slightly different one….

3 year old white dove w/ cage and stand

Beautiful white dove 3 years old handled by a 9 year, who has a very busy after school schedule. so he would be better off with someone who has more time to love him. small re homing fee.

Come on! You had the bird before the kid’s schedule “got busy”.  A captive dove can live for 12 – 15 years. It was pretty unrealistic if you thought your then six-year-old would care for the creature through college age; you should have been prepared (and willing) to pick up all the slack before you brought the dove home.

OK, you see what I’m getting at here. When you get a pet, it’s for the life of the pet. Just ’cause your girlfriend moves in with her rottweiler who doesn’t get along with the hound that’s given you love and loyalty for the last four years you don’t just chuck the hound out! Try training! (By the way, I wonder if the girlfriend will give love and loyalty for four years).

Because your kid whines about wanting a pet don’t wimp out and just get one. Do your due diligence and help your child understand what it takes to care for an animal.

When it becomes inconvenient to care for your two 12-year-old cats that have been with you since kittenhood because you want to spend time on the road with your new boyfriend, you don’t euthanize them with the excuse that “they’ve had a good life anyway”. (Yes, I used to know someone who actually did this).

Of course, there are people who are beset with genuine hardship, who do everything possible to keep their pets. And if it truly does become impossible, they do everything they can to ensure they find a wonderful new home including, perhaps, putting an ad on Craigslist. Shelters and rescue organizations also use Craigslist and it can be a great resource for prospective pet parents.

“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed” ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Adopting a rabbit, a ferret, a bird, a hamster, or even an iguana from an animal shelter or rescue means you just might be saving two lives: The life of your new pet and the life of another unwanted, neglected, or abused pet who now has the chance for rescue because a new spot at the shelter or the rescue has opened.

Kovu the ferret

This sweet little rescued ferret is in need of a home. He’s available right now from Broward Ferret Rescue but you can find many more needy critters like him at peftinder.com.

Many have discovered the joys of adopting a rescued pet but the fact is, adopting a small animal or bird from a shelter or rescue can prove challenging. Before you head to your nearest shelter or rescue, there are several things you’ll want to take into consideration:

• Do you and your family have the time and the patience that is needed to care for an animal who has gone through trauma? For example, if you adopt a bird who is pulling out her feathers and who is depressed, do you have the patience and the time that is required to help rehabilitate her? Or, will you remain calm when your newly adopted hamster takes a bite out of your hand when you’re trying to pet him?

• Are you really prepared for the work that is involved with an abused pet? Or, are you adopting because the pet’s story has pulled at your heart strings? Whether you are considering adopting an abused or neglected guinea pig or ferret or another type of animal, you must be prepared to care for her her entire life and to realize that it’s a big and expensive commitment. Many small animals have been traumatized by being abandoned or left to fend for themselves and will be untrusting at first. And, there is no guarantee that your new family member will ever completely trust you.

• Do you have children? Many times shelters and rescues will advise against rescue pets, such as rabbits and ferrets, going to homes with children.

• Are you ready for the financial responsibility? Unlike dogs and cats, small animal and avian veterinarian care can be extremely expensive, and you may find it difficult to find a qualified vet. Can you afford the cost of the care that your pet may need in the long-term?

• Many times you will not know your new pet’s background and it may take considerable time for them to learn to trust you. In some cases, they may never be the cuddly pet that you expected when you adopted them. Can you live with that?

If you’re not sure whether you and your family are ready to adopt a rescue animal, consider talking with the rescue or animal shelter to determine if you can foster the pet.  Fostering will give you the opportunity to see if you and the pet are a good match and if you can handle any problems she may have.

Because many shelter and rescue pets have been abandoned, neglected or abused, it is essential that you really think about whether adopting a rescue rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, bird, or iguana is right for your family. Bringing home a pet then returning her to the shelter or the rescue will only cause more trauma in her life.

“Everyone’s pet is the most outstanding. This begets mutual blindness.” – Jean Cocteau

There are often injuries, especially with geldings, that while not life threatening are career ending, especially when it involves the legs. This is often something that takes a great deal of time to heal. It may involve a bone in the foot such as a sesamoid injury or a tendon injury.

This beautiful boy is Slews Enough and he is available for adoption, along with many other wonderful thoroughbreds, at ReRun, Inc.

Following veterinarian orders exactly is key towards a successful recovery. Minor injuries may just take some time hand-walking the horse while other injuries can involve learning to properly wrap the leg and apply medicines to the injury.

Additionally, be sure to ask if the horse has been on medications on the track. Follow advice if withdrawal times are needed. Ask about a history of colic – some horses that are nervous can be prone to bouts of colic, especially triggered by life changes. Retirement can be such a life change.

Consider that mentally everything in this horse’s life changes with retirement. He has perhaps become used to being groomed and working on the race track for a mile or so before most people are out of bed. He is cooled out, gets his hearty breakfast and settles in for a snooze. From the most basic of care this changes when he’s brought to your home. Sometimes a horse that has already been “let down” may be a better selection, especially if this is your first horse.

Most thoroughbreds have been very used to veterinarians and although some simply accept this as part of the day others can be very difficult to handle when the veterinarian arrives. This is especially true if it’s a horse that has had health issues requiring a lot of care, much like a person who finally reaches a point of saying “no more doctors!”

Because of the requirements of many tracks these horses will normally be up to date on vaccinations including the Coggins test for equine infectious anemia, which is required in many states. They are familiar with being handled regularly for shoeing, although sometimes the feet are trimmed and shod differently than saddle horses.  This can mean an adjustment for the horse as the foot grows out. A reliable farrier is needed to get the feet at a natural, correct angle.

The race horse, by the nature of his work, uses a great deal of energy so can also consume a great deal of feed. To avoid metabolic upset the horse’s feed should be adjusted to suit the slower pace of retirement. This will also drop the energy level of the horse.

Among the problems that can occur is colic, founder and excessive weight gain. All three of these may even be ‘related.’ Some race horses may have ulcers, which can be helped simply by adding a tablespoon or two of baking soda to the feed. If the horse doesn’t clean up the feed on a regular basis, this may be the reason.

So be prepared for the possibility of physical ailments that can come with taking on an equine athlete and the adjustment in routine and activity level and you will have taken the  first important steps in rehabilitating a racehorse.

When God created the horse, he said to the magnificent creature: I have made thee as no other. All the treasures of the earth shall lie between thy eyes. Thou shalt cast thy enemies between thy hooves, but thou shalt carry my friends upon thy back. Thy saddle shall be the seat of prayers to me. And thou fly without any wings, and conquer without any sword. ~ The Koran

Marshmallow

This sweet little girl has been waiting two years for someone to come and take her home. She can be adopted from San Diego House Rabbit Society as of this writing and would love to get to know you.

Feeding:

On one side is the camp that advocates plenty of vegetables and no pellets. On the other side are the owners that advocate pellets as a base, some hay and occasional treats of vegetables. There are indications, however, that a vegetable only diet can lead to digestive upset, which can even be fatal; this is very rare with a pellet-based diet.

As with most things a moderate approach is important. Here are some guidelines for your bunny:

-Feed a few ounces of pellets per day.

-Supplement the diet with hay and greens but NEVER feed greens from the nightshade family, including potato and tomato greens.

-Flopsy will very likely enjoy treats of dandelion greens, an occasion plantain leaf or handful of grass. Make sure when giving these treats they have not been sprayed with any kind of fertilizer or weed-killer. Rabbits also love trimmings from rose or berry bushes and eagerly eat the pruning pieces when offered.

-Alfalfa hay is not usually needed unless the animal is breeding or growing. Ordinary grass hay can be a benefit to the rabbit’s health by providing roughage.

Teeth and Nails:

Pay particular attention to the teeth – they should meet evenly or top over bottom. If they don’t then the teeth won’t wear properly, leading to discomfort and the need for regular trimming of teeth.

Flopsy will also need her nails trimmed regularly. You can do this easily as you would a dog’s nails, using caution to trim short without getting into the ‘quick’ or sensitive inner nail. In light colored toenails this is easy to see.

Grooming:

All bunnies will benefit from brushing and it’s a great way to bond with your pet. Among the rabbit breeds for which daily grooming is essential is the angora. Its long soft hair can quickly become tangled and matted. Keeping the hair at one inch or less in length will help prevent problems but, if matts occur, use ball-tip grooming scissors to cut them out, snipping carefully down to the base of the matt, then tease the last of the matt out with a medium bristle brush. Don’t try cutting down to the skin; you’re likely to injure your pet.

Rabbits can make wonderful pets

…and can even be house-trained, though as prey animals they can be quite timid. They also have a tendency to scratch and bite but when they feel safe they can really come into their own and be affectionate and entertaining.

“Once I showed up at my sister’s with a baby rabbit I had bought from some children because its ears were cold. I put the rabbit on a hot water bottle and massaged its ears for quite a while. After all, I knew that all healthy animals had warm ears.” ~ Juliette G Low

Find lots more adoptable bunny rabbits at House Rabbit Society.

For any of you who don’t know what I’m talking about, at last night’s Westminster final two women interrupted the judging by walking into the ring holding signs above their heads reading, “Mutts Rule” and “Breeders Kill Shelter Dogs’ Chances”. This from a group that routinely kills thousands of dogs and cats at their own shelters; potentially adoptable pets, that is. (I should clarify, the women, PETA members, acted on their own but their actions are supported by the organization).

Without doubt, there are some breeders whose approach to their dogs is decidedly unethical. I can cite the story of the rottweiler pup with a hernia, brought to the vet by a breeder to be euthanized because he would never be show quality. Happily, a woman in the waiting room with her own pet said she would take the rottie and the story had a happy ending. Such incidents are not the norm, however. Many breeders are active in the rescue arena as well as the show ring.

And arguably, events such as Westminster serve to illustrate what a healthy, happy, well-trained  dog should be like and can foster interest and discussion in dogs in general, including those less fortunate creatures at shelters who are in need of homes.

Winnie

Winnie is a 1-year old Scottie mix in need of a home as of this writing. She’s being cared for at PAWS in Anna, IL.

I realize that Sadie’s win will likely prompt a surge in popularity of Scottish Terriers but not everyone will rush to a breeder to buy a puppy. A search on petfinder.com brought up a host of available purebreds and mixes in need of forever homes, and there are lots of Scottie rescue groups such as that run by the Scottish Terrier Club of America.

So congratulations to Sadie and if you’re thinking of getting a dog, Scottie or otherwise, take a look in your local shelters.

“No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich.” ~ Louis Sabin

That means the ultimate responsibility will always lie with you, the parent. So if you’re not prepared to take on a fuzzy “child” then just keep saying “No”. But if you’re willing to consider the possibility of a pet, how about having the kids test drive their pet-parenting skills first with a virtual pet? Maybe you could draw up an agreement with your children: they fulfill their caretaking duties with a virtual pet for three months, they get the real thing.

A few weeks ago I adopted Rascal from FooPets.com, which has by far the most realistic virtual (I think that’s an oxymoron) pets online. I’ve never been interested in online games so this is all quite new to me but I’ve surprised myself by actually becoming attached to my little simulated husky. I feel responsible for him.

Rascal

From a parenting standpoint you can monitor your child’s dedication to his or her pet every time you log on. There’s a care history that shows when you feed and water your pet, when you throw him a ball or groom him and so on. By interacting daily with your pet, you develop a pet-owner bond, which is shown as a yellow bar. If you miss a day, the bonding bar is re-set to zero. If you neglect your pet, then he will be taken to the FooShelter.

And that’s what I most like about this; though it’s free to adopt a pet, there are requirements and consequences. You have to take care of your pet’s health needs by grooming and giving flea treatments. You are also responsible for arranging your pet’s care if you go away. And the care of your pet is not exactly free.

When you first adopt you will be given 5,000 FooGems. These can be used to buy food, medications and things to make your pet more comfortable. Additional FooGems are earned simply by visiting and playing with your pet daily. It’s also possible to buy FooDollars but I think it’s a better test of your kids’ dedication to have them earn and make do with the FooGems. I’ve been able to feed, groom and medicate Rascal as well as create a play area for him and a mountain get-a-way by using just FooGems.

FooPets does its best to mimic the needs of a real dog or cat. In fact, in their adoption rules they state, “Your FooPet is a real creature that lives online. It will have a date of birth and a lifespan of 10-20 years, depending on how well you take care of it. It will age and act differently over time.”

Rascal is just three months old, so he has a long way to go. When he’s old enough I can even breed him, but as I’m all about rescuing the millions of abandoned and abused pets in this world, I plan to save up the 20,000 FooGems I need to get him neutered. And if I really want another virtual dog or cat, I can adopt from the FooShelter.

“Every puppy should have a boy.” ~ Erma Bombeck

There are several things to be concerned with when horses have been badly out of shape. It can alter their mental state of mind. More than this even is the physical issues to correct and to dodge while on the road to recovery.

Founder or laminitis is an issue in the feet that causes tremendous discomfort. It can be caused by a sudden overload of feed, drug, stress and concussion (once called “road founder”). Horses that are fat can be extremely susceptible to this as and so can very skinny horses whose nutrition is increased in order to put weight back on them. Prevention is much better than cure. Extreme cases can result in rotation of the coffin bone in the foot which presses on the sole, creating a great deal of pain.

This is a disease which has resulted in euthanizing of famous and unknown horses alike. Secretariat, the legendary racehorse, was a laminitis statistic as well as Barbaro. Modern veterinary techniques can cut the tendons, which relieves pressure on the coffin bone but cannot change the prognosis of severe cases. Horses with this disease are often heavy in the front end or have suffered an injury that causes them to shift their weight to the other foot. Horses affected often rock back in an attempt to take the weight off their sore front feet. Back feet can also be affected.

I admit it, I cried watching this video:

Abscesses are another issue that can affect the feet. Like founder it can often happen in the front feet and the horse will shift the weight backwards to ease the pressure. The difference is that abscesses are very fixable. Horses that have been in wet or muddy conditions can come up with these. If you pick up the foot and gently but firmly press with the handle end of a screwdriver on the foot you can often narrow down where the abscess is.

Treatment involves having a veterinarian or farrier dig out the abscess. You will need to keep the horse in a clean, dry stall until it is healed. Sometimes a daily soak in a pan of water and Epsom salts is recommended to draw out the abscess and speed healing.

Colic is another problem that can occur, especially in cases of parasite overload added to poor condition added to stress. Colic is a general term for a belly ache and in a horse is a very serious situation requiring veterinarian intervention. Often the horse begins with being uncomfortable, perhaps laying down more than normal. If you make him get up he’ll lay down again, often trying to roll. This means getting the horse on his feet and walking him by hand.

As the spasm hits he may try to go down but it is important to keep him up and walking. It might seem ‘cruel’ but if it takes hitting him with ropes or whips to keep him up on his feet it’s that important to do it. The more a horse rolls the higher the chances of the intestine twisting. If this happens the choices are euthanization or surgery, and they may or may not make it out of the expensive surgery.

These three issues are not uncommon but do need rapid treatment. Do some research into these conditions, particularly if you are taking on an abused horse. And having a good equine veterinarian is important. It maximizes the chances of recovery for your horse to have quick action for these problems.

It’s the annual online photo contest for the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International. It’s free to enter and by doing so you can help save animals’ lives. You also have a chance to win prizes such as a shopping spree on the Humane Society’s web store, a studio photography session with Amanda Jones, or even a trip to Hollywood! Your pet could also be featured on the HSUS home page.

Vinny - always a winner

Naturally, my own pets have a very good chance of winning and I mean to enter them all. Your budgie, your burro and even your betta are eligible; check the rules for other pets that can be entered. Then get out the digital camera or start scouring through your old pictures and raise some money for a really great cause. Remember, three to four million cats and dogs a year are euthanized. Millions more animals are simply neglected or abandoned to suffer and die. So be a part of the solution; here’s a fun way to do so.

“If you think that something small cannot make a difference – try going to sleep with a mosquito in the room.”
– Unknown

In recent months there have been three dogs at our local park who were spared that dreadful fate. A precious little chihuahua left on the counter in the public restrooms was given a home by the mother of one of the temporary park staff; a young and very sweet-tempered pit bull was taken home by the girl who found her and eventually re-homed; a darling little dog who looked like a fox went to Southern Hope Humane Society (one of the best rescue groups around) and was very quickly adopted.

Then there was Henry VIII. Let’s resume his story.

Time was running out for our abandoned little Yorkshire Terrier. There were just a couple of days to find him at least a temporary home before I left town. A friend had suggested that Hans, who runs Camp Woof, might be able to help. “Bring him over and let’s take a look,” was the response when I called. So off we went.

My intent was to ask that Hans keep Bailey (as we’d named the pup) either until a permanent home was found, or until my return. Camp Woof has many dog-lovers in and out of its doors every day, so it seemed likely that someone would see Bailey and fall for his irresistible charm. Well, within just a few minutes it was looking as if Hans might be that someone.

Bailey was born to perform. He can do cute better than a dimpled Shirley Temple singing “Animal Crackers In My Soup“, and he certainly laid it on for Hans and everyone at Camp Woof that day. I left him there with assurances that he’d be well cared for and a strong suspicion that he’d be a fixture at the camp by the time I came back.

Sure enough, a couple of weeks later I raced over to the daycare to check on my former protegee and found him ensconced, throne-like, behind the counter, his every whim being catered to by the staff and graciously accepting the adulation of all who passed by. Never was a dog more assured of his kingly status than this petite pedigreed pooch and he had a new name to prove it – Henry VIII.

Henry enthroned

In actuality, Henry was not named for the infamous Tudor of Olde England but came by his name for a more practical reason. He had indeed joined Hans’ already extensive family of rescues and, as it happens, was the eighth dog! So, as Hans tells it, “He had to be Henry the eighth”. Turns out the name was a little serendipitous, however. Henry, though the smallest dog by far in the Hans’ household, in short time was reigning supreme both at home and Camp Woof.

As Hans tells it, when he first came home Henry was a little timid; within a week he’d taken over the household. Seven of the other dogs accepted him immediately, including JJ, the rotweiler mix. Hope, a dachshund mix who didn’t like anyone at first sight, now loves Henry. “His Highness”  grandly helps himself from everyone’s food bowls and none of them object. At night he sleeps with Hans and likes to get under the covers when it’s cold. He insists on sitting on Hans’ lap when being chauffeured around town.

The one thing that Henry will not now or ever be able to do is have an heir to his throne. During my absence, he had received all his shots and been rendered unable to spawn progeny. Not that a bunch of ditto dogs wouldn’t be adorable, but no-one (at least, no-one who reads this blog) wants more little unloved and homeless yorkies running around.

Henry and Hans

If only every story could have such a happy ending as that of Henry and Hans. Theirs’ is a perfect match. It’s obvious that King Henry has no doubt of his status in Hans’ heart and, in return, is devoted to Hans. “He’s such a character,” says Hans. “I can’t imagine my life without him”.

“To his dog, every man is King; hence the constant popularity of dogs.” – Aldous Huxley