Blogs > Pets Unleashed

Those who love their pets tend to enjoy all animals. Our animal owners are no different. Check in on News-Herald staffers Robin Palmer and Cheryl Sadler as they share their own animal tales and announce upcoming events in Lake and Geauga counties.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Animal Crackers: Dramatic animals

The Dramaic Chipmunk started this phenomenon:



But he's not the only animal to join in on the fun of adding an intense soundtrack to a wide-eyed look:











-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an email or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

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Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Birthday parties at Rescue Village

Did you know you can have your child's birthday party at Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village?

Parties can be arranged for children ages 6 to 12, and can include a short talk, a tour, possibly puppy or kitty play time, and/or a craft, according to the organization's website.

I can imagine an elementary-school-aged me entirely giddy at the prospect of going to a birthday party at a place like Rescue Village, where I could learn about animals and have the opportunity to play with them. What an awesome idea to get kids interested in and involved with animals.

Visit www.geaugahumane.org/kids/parties for more information.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Friday, August 26, 2011

Ponderings by Picasso

I know that stupid kid in the movie could see dead people.

Big deal. I can feel earthquakes before they happen.

It's true.

Did I feel the earthquake the other day?

Please, I felt it before the Earth did.

Animals have this sixth sense, or maybe for cats, it's a ninth sense to go along with our nine lives.

Did you know that at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, the day the East Coast was rattled by a 5.8-magnitude earthquake, the red-ruffed lemurs sounded an alarm call about 15 minutes before the quake hit, and then again just as it occurred.

OK, I have no idea what a red-ruffed lemur is, but that is still pretty amazing stuff.

The howler monkeys sounded an alarm call just after the quake. Not as amazing, but hey, it's a howler monkey.

Then, 3 seconds before the quake, a gorilla named Mandara let out a shriek and collected her baby, Kibibi, and moved to the top of a tree structure.

I heard Kibibi's dad never left his recliner. Typical.

So the next time you see your cat acting strange, head for the hills. If your dog is acting that way, well, he's just a dog, so just go about your business.


I know where I'm going now ... for a nap.

Later, P.





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Thursday, August 25, 2011

Facts about cats

If you like cute cats and fun infographics, you'll definitely like this visualization that includes some great facts about cats. I learned a few new things from it.

via



-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Animal Crackers: Penguin Goes Shopping

I love love love this penguin and want one of my own.



-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Preschool storytime at Rescue Village

The Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village is offering six-week themed preschool story time for children ages 5 and younger and their parents.

The Rescue Village Little Ambassadors will discover, explore and learn about the pets at Rescue Village through stories, songs, dance, games and crafts. They will learn how to properly care for and interact with pets. Subjects covered include colors, counting, number and letter identification, and patterns. Small and large motor skills will be practiced.

The first session runs Sept. 6 through Oct. 13, and the second session runs Oct. 24 through Dec. 8. The fee is $30 per six-week session, and sessions are limited to 10 participants.

To register, contact Linda Hernandez at 440-596-1743 or lhernandez.walker@gmail.com.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Monday, August 22, 2011

Mutt Strut set for Aug. 27 at Penitentiary Glen

Lake Humane Society’s 17th annual Mutt Strut steps off at 10 a.m. Aug. 27 at Penitentiary Glen in Kirtland.
It is the shelter’s annual pledge walk that benefits the homeless, injured and abandoned animals that make their way to the Mentor-based facility. The event is a 1-mile walk people can do with their dogs.
Dogs must be up to date on shots, leashed and friendly with other dogs.
Admission is $15 for adults and children older than 12, and $10 for children 12 and younger.
Admission will be waived for those who raise pledges. Pledge forms can be found on the humane society’s website, www.lakehumane.org.
Participants will receive a goodie bag and Mutt Strut T-shirt.
The event will include vendors selling products and services in the “Mutt Mall.” There will be games, contests, an agility course, a microchip clinic, face painting for children, food and prizes.
There will be dogs from the shelter, information on the humane society’s services and programs, interactive demonstrations and contests.
The event will be held rain or shine.
For more information, visit the website or call 440-951-6122.

-- Robin Palmer

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Friday, August 19, 2011

Ponderings by Picasso

I know there’s only 24 hours in a day, and for a cat that means 16 for sleeping and eight for eating, grooming, pooping, peeing and pondering.

Thus, Ponderings by Picasso.

Today I ponder why some people don’t like cats.

In the words of Nick Gilbert, son of Cavs owner Dan Gilbert, “What’s not to like?”

Face it, wouldn’t you like to have cat-like speed and our leaping abilities?

What about nine lives?

What about being able to see things in the dark even when they aren’t even there?

What about being worshipped by the ancient Egyptians and being buried in the Great Pyramids ... the Cadilac of final resting places?

What about catnip followed by catnaps?

What’s a matter? Cat got your tongue?


Later, P.

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Thursday, August 18, 2011

AAA PetBook photo contest

Travel agency AAA has something special in store for "Traveling with Your Pet: The AAA PetBook".

Send AAA your pet's "best-in-travel" moment, and the critter might end up on the cover of next year's AAA PetBook.

From AAA:
Two winning pet photos, chosen in January 2012, will be featured on the cover and spine of the AAA PetBook, published in May 2012. The first place winner, featured on the back cover, will receive $300, a $150 Best Western Travel Card (valid at any Best Western Worldwide), pet treats and five copies of the book. The second place winner, featured on the book's spine, will receive $150, pet treats and two copies of the book.

Entries are judged on such artistic qualities as photographic composition and ability to convey the joy of safely traveling with a pet. Candid compositions are preferred over posed, and studio photographs or those determined to be significantly altered will be disqualified.

View the photo gallery to see some of last year's entries (including the absolutely precious first-place winner) and what kind of cute competition you'd be up against. And be sure to read the photo contest official rules.

Happy travels and good luck! (And be sure to let us know if your pet wins!)


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Animal Crackers: Play ball!

A bird that likes to play ball? Watch below.



-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

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Monday, August 15, 2011

Cats and Kittens in Need of Homes

If you have an opening in your home and heart, there are several cats and kittens that would love to jump in.


The Public Animal Welfare Society of Ohio is in desperate need of good homes for felines around Northeast Ohio.

Six baby kittens were recently dropped off on the door of an 85-year-old woman in Slavic Village, according to PAWS, which added the kittens were trapped in a box, so the woman called PAWS and they squeezed them into their overburdened foster homes.

In addition, those same foster homes can’t do much more because they are “packed to the brim” with 120 cats already, PAWS said.

The non-profit organization, which is no kill unless an animal is suffering, held an event called “Beat the Heat and Adopt a Cool Cat,” this past weekend where adult cats could be adopted for $10 and kittens under 6 months old for $20.

All felines are spayed/neutered, given shots, tested and wormed, according to PAWS, which has a list of available felines at http://PAWSOhio.org.

PAWS, which found permanent homes for 475 pets in 2010, urges people to adopt before the winter weather hits.

PAWS policy ensures that all animals are spayed or neutered and the potential adopter will be made aware of the animals’ personalities, habits, likes and dislikes in the home environment.
For more information, call PAWS at 440-442-7297 or visit http://www.pawsohio.org/.

-- Cassandra Shofar
CShofar@News-Herald.com


Friday, August 12, 2011

Ponderings by Picasso

I caught a lot of heat last week for calling my sister cat a rodent.
Chill out, 'Lil Girl. I love rodents. Heck, when I was a stray rodents were my best friends.
I never met one I didn't like or eat. A lot of protein in those critters.
Speaking of eating, I highly doubt I could chew a mouse now. I've lost most of my teeth, but still have what the vet calls "my canines." I almost puked a hairball when I heard that.
Canines? Really? Isn't a canine a dog?
No respectable cat would ever have anything called a canine. I prefer to call them my bottom fangs. Still have some bite in them, too.
All this talk of rodents has made me hungry, but first I need a nap.
Later, P.

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Thursday, August 11, 2011

PetFix hits 20,000

Depending on context, the number 20,000 could be considered very large or pocket change.


For PetFix Northeast Ohio, it marks a significant feat as it is the number of surgeries performed by PetFix mobile spay/neuter clinic since it hit the road in 2006.

“On Saturday, August 6, Dorothy Culp of Bainbridge (Township) and her daughter, Danielle, pulled into Joe’s Window Shop in Burton and registered their beautiful black cat, Sammy, for surgery, earning her the distinction of the 20,000th pet to be altered by PetFix surgeons,” according to PetFix.

The clinic was sponsored by PetFix Partner Geauga Humane Society as part of their “Fix it in the Farmland” series which brings the PetFix team into the core of Amish country to perform low-cost surgeries for those who cannot afford full fees or transport their pets to private veterinary clinics, the company said.

The 20,000 surgeries prevented the births of 200,000 unwanted puppies and kittens, said PetFix President Timy Sullivan.

“That doesn’t include the thousands and thousands of puppies and kittens those cats and dogs would have produced if allowed to breed throughout their lives,” she said in a statement.

Four to five days a week, the PetFix team, consisting of a licensed veterinarian, registered veterinary technician, and driver/assistant, heads out to a Partner location where they alter anywhere from 17 dogs to 35 cats for low-income owners, feral cat caregivers, and agencies placing cats and dogs for adoption.

In Culp’s case, the family inherited two barn cats when they moved to their Bainbridge farm, Culp said, adding she was happy to care for the cats but dismayed when soon after, one had a litter of four and the other produced a litter of nine.

“Before I knew it, I had 15 cats,” she said, adding the Geauga Humane Society and PetFix then had them altered.

“I had everything under control until Sammy showed up,” she said, referring to the cat that came onto her property and had a litter of three.

All three are scheduled for an upcoming PetFix clinic.

Surgery fees range from $30 for a cat neuter to $70 for a large dog spay. All animals not previously inoculated receive a $6 rabies shot and free-roaming cats receive basic vaccines for $4. The fees cover only about 60% of the costs associated with providing the service and PetFix raises the difference through grants, individual donations and fundraising events.

The organization’s largest fundraising event is coming up on Saturday, October 15 at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum for “Fix, Rattle & Roll,” PetFix said, adding it includes food, exhibit tours, dancing and an auction.

“Our goal is simply to create a region in which every cat and dog born has a loving home by reducing the number of animals born to a number we can care for,” Sullivan said. “And with the support of our generous donors and the cooperation of our dedicated partners, we are getting closer every day.”

For more information about PetFix, go to www.petfixnortheastohio.org

-- Cassandra Shofar
CShofar@News-Herald.com

Deacon needs a home

Deacon
Pets Unleashed features animals from area shelters and rescue groups that are in need of homes.

This is Deacon, 1 1⁄2 year-old male who came to Lake Humane Society in March as a stray.

According to shelter officials, Deacon loves to hang out and take naps.
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He gets along great with other cats, especially the four roommates he has in the Cat Community Room.

For more information on Deacon and his friends, stop by the shelter at 7564 Tyler Blvd., Mentor, or call 440-951-6122.

-- Robin Palmer
rpalmer@news-herald.com

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Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Animal Crackers: Cute dancing orangutan baby

This little guy puts on a hat and dances. I don't know why, but I'm glad he's doing it.




-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

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Thursday, August 4, 2011

Ponderings by Picasso

Picasso
My name is Picasso (don’t ask).

I live in a three-bedroom, two-litterbox house in let’s just say the largest city in Lake County.

Three humans and one rodent, I mean, another cat make up our happy family.

It’s really great to get this opportunity to blog even though I don’t know what a blog is.
Heck, I didn't even know I could write.
Anyways, I have a lot to say, but since I’m a cat, I think I need to sleep now.
Later, P.

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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Animal Crackers: Baby panda twins

Keeping with last week's theme of adorable baby animals, here's some sweet twin baby pandas.




-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.

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Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Mentor Pet Group Goes Online

Mentor’s Pet Harbor has joined the online fray.
The animal wefare organization has recently become part of the Petfinder.com community, listing its homeless pets on the oldest and largest database of adoptable animals on the Internet.
The site, which currently has over 324,700 homeless pets listed, includes posts from more than 13,500 animal welfare organizations in the U.S., Canada and other countries, according to Petfinder.com.
“A potential adopter enters search criteria for the kind of pet he or she wants and a list is returned that ranks the pets in proximity to the Zip code entered,” according to the site. “Adoptions are handled by the animal placement group where the pet is housed and each group has its own policies.”
Pet Harbor pets may be viewed at www.petfinder.com/shelters/OH952.html.
For a complete list of shelter and rescue groups in your area, visit http://www.petfinder.com and scroll down the left column to “Find Animal Welfare Groups.”

-- Cassandra Shofar
CShofar@News-Herald.com

Monday, August 1, 2011

A friendly neighbor cat

I have a friendly cat in my neighborhood.

He appears on my back porch sometimes, meowing. He is cute, but I'm afraid he wants to come into my house.

The first time I saw him was when I was coming home after dark. He gave me a start when I got out of my car (because I have seen a skunk hanging around), then meowed like crazy as he followed me toward my house. I told him he couldn't come inside, but he just stared at me, meowing. I moved quickly, startling him, and he ran in the other direction.

The other day when I was trying to leave the house, the cat was standing outside my door as if he were waiting to come inside. I was asking him kindly to leave so he wouldn't run in my house when the storm door opened, but he stayed put and meowed at me. Eventually he wandered to the grass and assumed a pouncing position, spying on the birds in the yard across the street. Good kitty.

I want to be friendly to this neighborhood cat. I am not sure where he comes from, but he sure is nice, and must be domesticated, as he doesn't appear afraid to hang around. I just don't want him to come inside my house. How can I let him hang around, without letting him in my house, without scaring him away?


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

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