Well, it’s not exact across the entire country (only from Arizona to Oregon), but Maisey and I are packing up shop and moving to a new state because mom got a new job. I’m excited because the new job is a great career move for me, and Maisey is excited because Portland is the #2 most pet friendly city in the country!

So as I am starting to plan all the details that go along with a gal traveling solo to a new city, I starting thinking about travel plans for Maisey so we both arrive to our new home safely. I need to make sure she’s up to date on her shots, find pet friendly hotels along the travel route and pack her pet travel kit. This is going to require a lot of planning! While checking into some of these details I realized how much car retailers are starting to build productsand car features to make pet travel more comfortable, very cool! Maybe I’ll even get the Skybox Booster Seat before I leave.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

• Dogs can get car sick (so I’ll pack some paper towels)
• You should not leave you dog along in the car for an extended period of time (I knew this already, but worth mentioning)
• Make sure your pup’s identification is up to date with your current contact information and bring a recent picture of your pup, just in case.
• Take frequent potty breaks
• Make sure your dog drinks plenty of water along the way
• Pack a list of rest stops and veterinary hospitals along the way, food, treats, poop bags, a blanket, toys and and food and water bowls

What better travel buddy can you think of than your dog? She won’t talk the whole way, she won’t change the radio station and she’ll give me love and kisses whenever I’m feeling nervous or scared about my new life. 

So if you see a girl traveling between Arizona and Oregon in three weeks, her Prius packed full of shoes and dog toys, and a Chihuahua riding shotgun…it’s probably me, so say hello!

Today is The Humane Society’s 15th annual Spay Day USA, so if you haven’t already, get out there and Spay or Neuter your pet!

Did you know that more than 3 million cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters every year? These are often the offspring of cherished family pets, even purebreds. Maybe some one’s dog or cat got out just that one time or maybe the litter was intentional, but efforts to find enough good homes failed. 

Spaying or neutering your pet is the only 100-percent effective and proven way to reduce the vast numbers of animals who are born only to die prematurely and without a family who loves them.

The program must be working because Spay Day 2008 saw 32,509 spay and neuters and over $200,000 raised to support spay and neuter programs.

You can also enter your pet in the Spay Day Online Pet Photo Contest! Visit photocontest.humanesociety.com through Feb. 27 to enter.

I recently discovered the world of Twitter. I’ve heard about its use for marketing and socializing, but once I started a Twitter account  I realized just how connected to the world anyone can be.  You can find just about anyone on Twitter, even  Barack Obama.

Now I’ve discovered my favorite use of Twitter so far – helping a homeless animal find a home!

This weekend, Animal Rescue Online is having its first ever Tweet Blast, an idea I’m surprised no one else has come up with yet!

On February 28th, 2009 everyone participating will post a tweet with a link to the Petfinder profile page of a homeless animal of their choice, encouraging thier followers to consider adoption if looking for a new pet!

Tweet Blast’s aim is to promote individual animals by getting them the exposure they need and cannot otherwise get because the shelter they’re housed at doesn’t have sufficient funds for publicity.

What a great way to help spread the word about the amount of animals in need of a home, and to put a face on this need.  I hope local animal shelters will adopt a similar idea to support local pets in need!

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This story is beautifully simple and will make you smile.

There are only four states in this country that don’t consider animal cruelty to be a felony.  Those states are Idaho, Mississippi, North and South Dakota. Arkansas passed legislation that makes animal cruelty a felony just this month. The fact that there are only four states lagging behind is good news considering animal cruelty was a felony in only seven states in 1993! That’s 39 states that have adopted legislation that makes animal cruelty a felony in the last 16 years. The problem is, even with this crime carrying a felony charge, the majority of states punish even the aggravated felons with less than a year of imprisonment and under $5,000 in fines. The punishment is not fitting of the crime.

What do you think should have been the punishment in a Montana case in which a camper cut off a family dog’s head with a chain saw and threw it at the owners?

Russell Howald, 30, was sentenced to the maximum — two years.

Cases likes this and others about puppy mills, dogfighting, and abuse tear at my heart to the point where I physically feel pain in my heart when I read them. If simply the thought of these crimes makes me sick, what kind of person can actually commit them? Should that type of person really only be put behind bars for less than two months?  

Some of the cases you can find on pet-abuse.com are sad, sickening and enough to make you question your faith in humanity.

The good news is, times are changing. Animal law is the fastest growing field in the legal profession. In 2009, members of  Congress will consider legislation to further increase the penalties against dogfighting (thank you, Michael Vick).

Also in 2009, animal cruelty bills will be under consideration in:

• Alabama — felony cockfighting bill
• Alaska — felony animal cruelty bill (first offense)
• Arkansas — felony animal cruelty bill and felony cockfighting bill
• Georgia — felony cockfighting bill
• Idaho — felony animal cruelty bill
• Illinois — felony animal fighting spectator bill
• Indiana — felony animal fighting spectator bill and a bill to enhance the felony animal cruelty law
• Iowa — pet protection order bill
• Mississippi — felony animal cruelty bill and felony cockfighting bill 
• Missouri — felony animal fighting spectator bill and forfeiture of fighting dogs bill
• Montana — abandonment and/or starvation of horses bill
• Nebraska — pet protection order bill, animal abuse reporting bill and bill to strengthen animal fighting laws
• New Hampshire — bill to enhance animal cruelty law
• New Jersey — pet protection order bill and bill to enhance animal cruelty law
• Oregon — felony cockfighting spectator bill
• Rhode Island — bill to enhance animal cruelty law
• South Carolina — cockfighting bill and pet protection order bill
• South Dakota — felony animal cruelty bill
• Tennessee — felony cockfighting bill

If you are reading this blog, you are likely an extreme lover of animals and dogs, in particular. People like us value our pets like we value our children, because that is exactly what they are to us. Let’s keep the momentum from the past 16 years going. Support the legislation that enforces harsher penalities for those convicted of animal cruelty.

Animals deserve better, and it’s our job as human beings to speak for those that can’t speak for themselves!

Just as I tend to assume the majority of the population understands the concept of common courtesy, I tend to assume the majority of dog owners understand the rules of etiquette when in public with your dog. The problem is, I think I’m putting too much faith in the general population with these assumptions.  Far less than most seem to obey the rules of common courtesy and I’ve encountered enough owners with bad dog park manners to make me question that faith.  In thinking about this, I decided to gripe write a post on my personal rules of dog owner etiquette. (Disclaimer: This is based mostly on my experiences and pet peeves as a dog owner, and by no means is an all encompassing list of dog owner no-no’s).

Rule #1 – Understand (and respect) the power of a dog

Just a few weeks ago at the park, Maisey and I had an encounter that illustrates this point. While Maisey and I were walking on the path, a large pit bull mix came running toward us from grassy area in the center of the park. I’m sure this dog didn’t have any malicious intentions (there I go with that faith again) but by running up so quickly, he startled both myself, Maisey, my boyfriend and Mya (my boyfriend’s German Shepherd). Mya jumped into her role as our protector and barked back at the dog, Maisey barked because Mya did, and the pit bull (realizing it wasn’t going to win any sort of match with Mya) went after Maisey. The dog’s owner walked casually from the center of the park toward the commotion while calling her dog (but she expressed no sense of urgency).  

Maisey loves to run free as much as the next dog, but a leash-less dog in the wrong time and place can be dangerous for both the dogs and owners.  An owner that doesn’t understand that, shouldn’t own a dog. We all think of our dogs as loving and caring beings (which they generally are), but when put in a threatening situation, dogs will react like the animals that they are. Just because you know your dog’s intentions are harmless doesn’t mean other dogs know that, and they may react defensively.

Rule #2 – Know when to enter (and when to leave) the dog park

If your dog isn’t comfortable around a large number of dogs, don’t enter a crowded dog park. If your dog is aggressive or excessively protective, don’t enter a crowded dog park. If you are in the dog park, and your dog becomes aggressive, leave. If another dog enters the dog park that appears to be aggressive, leave. This sounds cut and dry because it is. As a dog owner, my first concern is keeping my dog safe. Dogs want to protect their owners, as well. Avoid a potentially aggressive situation before it has the chance to become dangerous.

Rule #3 – Pay attention!

For gods sake, when you’re in the dog park, please don’t talk on your phone, listen to music or just disappear. Your dog is your responsibility. You need to be able to react if your dog is misbehaving, causing problems or is in a potentially dangerous situation. Nothing is more annoying than an owner who isn’t noticing or simply looks the other way when their dog is causing a problem.

Rule #4 – Dress appropriately

Please don’t wear your new shoes, expensive jeans or fancy purse into the dog park. Dogs jump, and usually have dirty feet. You look silly if you get dirty and freak out because you just bought that dress. In general, dress comfortable when taking your dog in public. Don’t wear flip flops, sandals or heels. You can’t run fast in any of these, and if your dog gets away from you, you’re useless.  

Rule #5 – Pick up after yourself (and your dog)

This should be a given, but landmines I see scattered throughout my local dog park suggest that it isn’t. Don’t litter (at the dog park, or anywhere else for that matter) and pick up after your dog. If you don’t, it’s unsanitary and just plain rude.

Rule #6 – Enjoy yourself!

Don’t be afraid to let yourself and your dog  get a little dirty. Dog Parks are a blast for both humans and dogs, so have fun!

As I mentioned, these are my personal pet peeves and not an all encompassing list of dog park etiquette. If any of these came as a surprise to you, or you just need to brush up, pawfriendly.com offers a much more comprehensive list.

It’s a day to express your love, and I love my dog!  I’m curious if anyone else got Valentine’s Day presents for their pooch. Maisey and her pal Mya got these delicious all natural doggie cookies from Oh my Dog, a very cute doggie boutique and spa in Scottsdale.

So after a romp in the park, Maisey enjoyed her Valentine’s Day treat.

What did you do for your pup on Valentine’s Day? Didn’t plan ahead? Raise a Green Dog offers some low cost and environmentally friendly ways to celebrate with your pet.

Every morning and afternoon, Maisey and I take a walk. We go around the complex, and down the neighborhood streets. Sometimes we go to the park, and sometimes to the dog park.

Just about everytime I pass by the lower level balcony of another unit in the complex, I see the puppy. The puppy is pug, and is absolutely adorable. The problem is, the dog is out there every single day, even when it’s cold. It doesn’t have a water bowl, and it doesn’t have a bed. I’ve seen the owner simply open the balcony door, hold the leash while still sitting on the couch to allow the puppy to go outside to go to the bathroom. I’ve never seen them walking the dog, either. 

I don’t get it. Why do people like this even bother having a dog? They clearly don’t enjoy the company of the dog, or it wouldn’t be outside all day. Dogs (and animals in general) enrich our lives so much, and any good pet owner will tell you that their dog is like a member of the family. If a dog isn’t anything to you but something you have to feed and pick up after, why bother? The puppy pug isn’t a guard dog, it isn’t a working dog, so what gives?

Someone tell me, why do people like this get dogs? I feel terrible for this little puppy, every dog deserves love, kisses and an enjoyable life. So, what do I do? Is this cause to report the owners to the humane society? Wouldn’t we call CPS if we saw a child being equally ignored?

I love my dog, and she knows it. I cuddle with her every morning before I get up. I talk to her. I hug her when I get home.  But what do you do if your partner isn’t a pet person, or is jealous of the affection you bestow upon your pet?

Fortunately, I haven’t had this problem. But msnbc.com explains that it can be difficult for people who don’t have a pet to understand the human-animal bond. This can lead to tension and jealousy in the relationship.  However, the tension doesn’t always come from your partner. You dog can get jealous, too. Dogs will nudge, jump, paw and even growl if they are feeling you are giving too much attention to your partner, and not enough to them.  It’s possible they’ll even show aggression toward your partner.

This can be a difficult transition if your pet is used to having your undivided attention or being the one who sleeps next to you in the bed. So what’s a dog mom in this situation to do?

Just as a single mom should take caution when introducing a new boyfriend to their child, take similar caution when introducing your pet to your new partner.  Introduce them on neutral ground. Give your dog a chance to get to know your new beau before letting him into the house. Animal behaviorist Sophia Yin recommends tethering your dog to your new partner, forcing them to be attached at the hip for some time (I don’t think I’d recommend this technique to single moms, though). Your partner should pet, talk to, and reward your dog throughout the day. Your dog will learn that this new person can be a giver of good things too (just like mom), but they have to spend time with that person to get those rewards.

Personally, I’d suggest easing both your partner and your pet into each others lives. Schedule dates with the three of you on neutral territory. Let your partner prepare a meal for your dog or take your dog for a walk. If your partner is feeling jealous that your pup is getting all the cuddle action in the morning, explain why your pet is such an important part of your life and allow your partner to participate in the activities you enjoy with your pet. If your partner can’t understand or at least respect that bond, maybe he’s not the right guy for you or your dog.

Smoking is gross. It drives me crazy to be in a public place and have to smell some one’s cigarette smoke. I get it, it’s a public place, but with all known dangers of the effects of secondhand smoke, not to mention the fact that it’s just plain rude, why do people do it? Now I have another reason to despise cigarette smoke.

It may seem like common sense, but do smoking pet owners consider the harmful effectsof second hand smoke on their pet?

According to msnbc.com, 28% of smokers would try to quit based on the knowledge that secondhand smoke could cause harm to their pets. I guess knowing that smoking can kill you isn’t enough of a reason?

Well, if for no other reason, do it for your four-legged friends!

Update: The New York Times wrote a blog post today regarding the harmful effects of cigarette smoke on our pets. Perhaps they were inspired by my post!