Today, bloggers across the country are taking place in the inaugural Pet Net Adoption Event, organized by Petside.com.

The goal is to raise our collective cyber-voices and urge pet lovers to adopt their next furry or feathered family member.

If there is one group of dogs who epitomize the importance of adoption and second chances—it's the Vick Dogs.

Vick Dogs Ready For Adoption
The fighting dogs confiscated last year from NFL player Michael Vick are now being adopted.

To most, this probably sounds ludicrous.

Will the dogs ever be "normal?"
Do they get along with other dogs?
Will they bite people or kids?
Can they ever really be trusted?

All very good questions. Considering the dogs were raised to fight for their lives as part of a brutal dog fighting ring—not many would foresee that these very same dogs would someday be living at peace with other dogs and people.  read more »

That Old Black (Cat) Magic
By Laura French

Superstitions about black cats are probably a matter of guilt by association. Cats in general are crepuscular creatures—their most active times are at dawn and dusk, a time that always seems mysterious and haunting to human beings. A black cat creeping through the shadows looks more mysterious than a bicolor or tabby—and seems more likely to be on its way to meet with witches, whose rituals were also said to be carried on under dark of night.

Cats were said to be the “familiars” of witches. They were four-legged servants who acted as spies and otherwise did the witches’ bidding. In some cases, it was believed that witches were “shape-shifters” who assumed the guise of cats to move through the dark. Stories abound of black cats injured by night and “witches” seen limping around with the same injuries the next day.  read more »

I’m not sure what my favorite part about Doggie Palooza was: the beautiful weather, the couple thousand dogs on site, the community participation or the happy vendors.

The four years that Doggie Palooza has been around, I’m left with a lasting memory of each one. This year, it’s a quote from a participant who approached me and said, “Thank you for having this event. It is exactly what we needed.”

I petted her dog Milo while she explained that Doggie Palooza is a unique event for people and their dogs, and it brings together local businesses and people for a real sense of community. While referring to the Twin Cities, she said, “It’s kind of our event. We look forward to it each year.”  read more »

Vick Dog Update: The “New” Meryl
by Kelli Ohrtman

I’ve been following the 22 pit bulls that arrived at Best Friends from the Michael Vick case for several months now on the Pet Central blog. This means going over to visit them, talking with their caregivers and trainers, and getting the general scoop about their personalities and progress. When I went to visit recently, I heard something that frankly, I didn’t think I’d ever hear: “Meryl loves people now! Do you want to meet her?”

Meryl is a different dog than the one that arrived here in January. The red pit bull with the cute underbite, speckled red and white front legs and the always-serious expression on her face was the one dog that everyone was extra careful with. Most of the dogs were more marshmallow than mean—-a surprise to many considering that they came from a fighting ring.

In the beginning, Meryl lunged and roared if anyone lingered too long in front of her run. She was afraid of new people, and was willing to defend herself. A select few staff made friends with Meryl, and once she accepted them she was golden—their best buddy. But it took a lot for Meryl to meet a new person. If a stranger were to saunter up to her run and barge in, she’d probably react. And it probably wouldn’t be pretty.  read more »

This Thursday October 2, Doggie Palooza will be promoted on Fox 9 News with M.A. Rosko.

Tune in Thursday morning at the following times to get a glimpse of some of the activities that will be at Doggie Palooza on Saturday October 4. (All times CST)  read more »

This Tuesday September 30 between 3:00 – 4:00 pm, Dakota is going to make her TV debut on KSTP Channel 5 Twin Cities Live program.

Hosts Rebekah Wood and John Hanson will talk about Doggie Palooza and show video from last year. My dog Dakota and I will appear on the segment along with local TTouch practitioner Elaine Garley demonstrating the TTouch technique.

Dakota has a very nice hot spot on the front of her leg that has morphed into a lick granuloma. Elaine will work on Dakota illustrating how TTouch can help heal the body.  read more »

Whenever my husband Brian travels, I am, of course, responsible for all things animal in our house. Since Brian gets up before the sun, (and I definitely do not) he feeds the animals in the morning. So whenever he is traveling, the animals have to adjust to my internal alarm clock and eat later in the morning. Which they are not happy about.  read more »

Mr. Clemens’ Cats
By Laura French
“A home without a cat--and a well-fed, well-petted and properly revered cat--may be a perfect home, perhaps, but how can it prove title?” Thus wrote Mark Twain in The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson.

It might seem a little surprising that the cranky, crotchety American writer Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, showed a distinctly softer side on the topic of cats. The website www.twainquotes.com shows the author of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn with an enormous cigar between his teeth (one of 40 he smoked each day) and a tiny tiger kitten in his lap.

Clemens was always highly critical of the human animal. In his notebook, he said that humans “seem to be a poor invention.” In an article, he called it “a pity” that Noah didn’t miss the boat. He claimed to be free of prejudice and bigotry simply because, “All that I care to know is that a man is a human being--that is enough for me; he can't be any worse.”  read more »