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Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Once again we have had a VERY busy month. Trying to get the dogs into their outside kennels when there is lots of blowing snow is the PITS! Putting on boots and a coat every couple hours or less slows me down. I'm surprised I haven't had pneumonia. Dogs don't understand the words "Cross Your Legs"! Hopefully, the worst of the winter weather is behind us and we have lots of blue skies ahead. My heart goes out to the people in Japan and, of course, the animals. There hasn't been much news on TV about the animals but e-mails are coming in to us about the poor animals. I hope you enjoy this month's newsletter. Hugs, Purrs & Slurps, Linda York, President 
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SCREEN, SCREEN, SCREEN
The following newspaper article is a GOOD reason to screen potential adopters. Some of you may not want to read it, but it's reality.
If you think it can't happen where you live, think again! In today's mail was a sixteen page report from a Colorado Sheriff's Animal Control Department about a gal who wanted to adopt from Pet Pals, Inc. The report states there were three dead animals on her property. They found the following problems: 1) No water available for dogs, horses, pigs or chickens. 2) Large pig is extremely emaciated. 3)Horses hooves need farrrier care. 4) Animal pens need mucking. The Sheriff's Department went to the property nermerous times trying to get the owners to correct the problems. Thank GOD we always check with Animal Control. This gal had excellent references with one of them being her veterinarian who said she took great care of her animals. We came very close to adopting to her because she had adopted from The Denver Dumb Friends League and she also works for the Sheriff's Department!! (Names can be changed so call Animal Control Departments. They have been very helpful and even done home checks for us!)
Here's the newspaper article that will make you sick:
Official: 29 Dogs Killed, Woman Held Captive For Months
HANCOCK COUNTY, W.Va. -- A Hancock County man was arrested late Wednesday evening after, police said, he mutilated and killed 29 dogs and held a woman captive for several months.
Jeffrey Nally Jr., 19, is charged with 29 counts of animal cruelty, one count of domestic battery and one count of kidnapping.
Nally was taken into custody after a SWAT team converged on his home at 1855 Orchard Lane. The home is in the north end of the county, off Route 8. The female victim was also removed without incident, police said. She was a former girlfriend of the suspect that had voluntarily moved into the home in December but had since been the victim of physical and sexual abuse, police said.
Officials in Hancock County became aware of the situation Wednesday after the victim's mother contacted the West Virginia State Police. The victim's mother told an officer that Nally had stated that he would kill any officer that showed up to arrest him. The woman also told police that Nally threatened to kill the woman and himself.
Officials with the West Virginia State Police contacted the Hancock County Sheriff's Office to assemble a SWAT team. The SWAT team was briefed on the matter and converged on the house around 9 p.m.
After taking the suspect into custody and obtaining a search warrant, police said they found 29 dead dogs on the property. Some had been recently killed, officers reported. Some of the carcasses were found buried in the yard of the home, others were wrapped in plastic.
Police believe Nally began killing the animals in January.
"Mutilated, skinned, anything you can imagine," said Chief Deputy Todd Murray of the animals. "[Nally used] everything from a crossbow, to a drill, saws to hammers. There were several means he used to [mutilate and kill the dogs]."
Murray added that it appeared the suspect used a different tool to kill each dog.
According to court documents, officers even found two dogs eyes in a mason jar.
"One dog had been shot several times. One dog had blunt force trauma to the head. One dog, we think, had its neck snapped," said Nicole Busick, Hancock County Dog Warden.
The dogs were killed inside of the home, according to Murray. Police believe that Nally got pleasure from making his victim watch as he tortured and killed the animals.
"After the dogs were killed, he would make her clean up," Murray said.
Three dogs were also found alive at the home. Police said the female told them all three were also set to be killed. One of the dogs rescued from the home was a black lab puppy. It had siblings that were killed.
Nally used classified ads to locate and obtain the animals, often finding people to willingly drop off their pets thinking they had found a good home, police said.
Police reported that he had been given many of the animals for free and had paid a small amount for the others.
"I'd like to give people the benefit of the doubt that they didn't know what was going on," said Busick.
Most of the animals killed were puppies.
Police also recovered several guns inside the home. Police said the guns were also purchased through classified listings.
Nally was already under home confinement for having guns as a convicted criminal. Police said they pulled weapons from Nally's home back in June. In April 2010, he was convicted of domestic battery.
Nally now faces more charges including kidnapping, domestic battery and 29 counts of animal cruelty.
The three dogs recovered from the home were turned over to county officials. The three animals were all quickly adopted.
Official: 29 Dogs Killed, Woman Held Captive For Months
If someone wants to know why they are being screened to adopt a pet, give them this article!
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4-Lb. Chihuahua Survives Great Horned Owl Attack
http://www.peoplepets.com/news/strange/4-lb-chihuahua-survives-great-horned-owl-attack/1
It was unusual for Chico to get out of bed in the middle of the night, but at 1:30 one morning last month, the 3-year-old tan Chihuahua woke up and seemed to need to go outside.
George Kalomiris, who was awake, put on his winter coat and a jacket on Chico. Then they stepped out into the Illinois winter chill together. Suddenly, during their walk, Chico stopped in his tracks and would not move. Kalomiris tugged at his dog, then he heard a whimper.
"Out of nowhere, a huge owl started to attack," Kalomiris's wife Dana tells PEOPLEPets.com. "Chico cried immediately."
The great horned owl, with a 5-ft. wingspan, had swooped down to Chico, picked him up with its talons, and tried to drag him away. Instead, Chico's coat was too thick for the owl to secure a good grip, and the dog's retractable leash hit one of the owl's wings. The two animals struggled across the snow on a neighbor's yard, and eventually, the owl flew away - without his intended prey.
"My husband grabbed Chico and ran inside," Dana says. "[Chico] was still crying. It was pitiful and so sad. A hurt cry."
The Kalomirises immediately drove to the animal emergency hospital, where the vet told them that Chico had only been bruised and scratched, but that his organs hadn't been harmed. Had Chico not been wearing his coat, the owl's talons would have surely punctured him and killed him.
The unusual story made news in Illinois and even garnered Chico an award: the Kalomirises were honored for making January's most unusual insurance claim by Veterinary Pet Insurance. In spite of all the attention, things have returned to normal for Chico. After a few days of antibiotics and soreness, the dog was back to being his usual self - almost.
"He's been really good, but he really doesn't like going out at night anymore," Dana says. "He will do it if it's quick and I'm standing right next to him, but he gets nervous otherwise."
We can never be too careful.
Of course you already knew this because of our Buckle Up site!!
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The Needle
Most of you are thinking this article is about killing pets, but you are wrong! From our very first newsletter dated March 2001 we have stressed the importance of having ID tags on your pets. Here is your chance to get a free ID tag and have fun at the same time!
Hidden somewhere in this newsletter is a picture of a needle like the one pictured with this article. Find the needle, be the first one to e-mail us with the location and we will send you an ID tag so your pet can get home and avoid a needle!
The last contest winner was Sally Sullivan-Hall in Orchard, WA. Congratulations Sally! We hope you put your ID tag to good use. My apologies to Jim and Karen whom I referred to last month as Jim and Hazel. Oopps!! Jim and Hazel adopted a poodle from us about eight years ago.
There is another hidden needle. Good luck everyone!
The Reason for ID tags AND Microchips
Last week one of our little darlings was turned into a high kill pound. Had it not been for the microchip, he may have been killed. This little boy, JayJay, was adopted SIX years ago! Our adoption contract was changed a couple years ago stating there will be a $1,500 fine plus court costs for doing something SO cruel. Are people SO lazy they can't pick up the telephone? One of our board of directors picked up JayJay in Denver within hours. She could have picked him up from her instead of subjecting him to the stress and diseases of a pound.
Sarah Mitch said she was getting married and her fiance didn't like the dog..... WHY would you marry someone who is so cold and does not like the pet you've had for SIX years? We hope you don't have any children with disabilities because we're sure he won't like them. Our furkid didn't have ANY disabilities besides rotten teeth which will be cleaned this Thursday. Something else you were too lazy to have done. JayJay is a LOVE! SHAME on you SARAH.
 | | KEEP ID TAGS ON YOUR PETS! |
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Dogs Suffer When Lonely
A quarter of dogs left alone for too long: study
Vancouver dog expert says how long is too long depends on breed
http://tinyurl.com/5uaj9u5
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - When we say it's a dog's life, for some it's a life
of loneliness, distress, and separation anxiety.
March 10, 2011
A new study, one of the largest on pet well-being, suggests close to a
quarter of all dogs are left alone for too long. Twenty-three per cent of
dog-owners in the UK leave their pet alone five hours or longer on workdays.
According to one hospitality manager we met in Vancouver, it even happens on
vacation.
"We're a hotel that's pet friendly and when people bring their dogs here
they have to sign a waiver promising not to leave their dog alone in the
room," Graeme tells us. "Too many people leave their dogs alone when they're
here on holiday. It disturbs other guests with the barking and baying."
How long is too long? That's up for debate.
Vancouver dog behaviour expert and author Stanley Coren says he doesn't know
of any research into it. He tells the Province newspaper it depends on how
social the breed is. For example, hounds need more attention but some
working and guard dogs are happy to be left alone for up to 12-hours. 
Because of YOUR donations, Dingo was rescued. We told his story in our last month's newsletter. To update his story we have to tell you what a SHAME it would have been to kill him. He is a LOVE and definately has been left alone for hours upon hours. Dingo doesn't bark or cry when left alone, he's just SO happy to see you even if you've stepped out of the room for a second. In eleven years and over 1,000 animals we have only had one other dog here that was allowed to roam "at will" inside our fenced in facility. Dingo gets along with every dog, he doesn't mess up the blanket covering the sofa, doesn't dig in the garbage, his tail never stops wagging AND he doesn't even pee on the poop bucket! Pass the word.... Dingo needs a home! Last week another life was saved. His name is Bongo. He's like a lion from South Africa. Kind of acts like one too! When you become one of his "pride", he warms up and is very kissy! Bongo is scheduled to be neutered and he will act MUCH nicer! He is smiling and happy that he was saved. 
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"Oh How I wish that wasn't so."
A MUST see......
Poem Jimmy Stewart
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Dogs Coming Back to Life
Another Disturbing Story of Dog Coming Back to Life
The second euthanized dog has come back to life. This story, as stated by a Pet Owner to me in an email is a tragic failure on so many levels.
 | | Luckily, I'm ALIVE!!! |
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Puppy Mills
This is one of the best videos I have seen about what actually happens in a puppy mill. The dogs from puppy mills have mental and physical damage that never goes away. When Rescues bail these dogs from their Hell holes, they are in very bad shape.
http://vimeo.com/18886707
The cute picture on a breeder's web site or a cute puppy from a pet shop is NOT what you're going to get.
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Try Trimming Toenails Like a Farrier
Editor's note: Thank you Dani for taking the time to write the following article. It's interesting to read a "layman's" view about their pets. Now if you could help me understand how someone could dump their beloved pet that they have had for YEARS at a kill facility, I might feel better about people!
"Trimming their nails is so important. Untrimmed nails can end up disabling a dog....", Linda York, Pet Pals, Inc.'s President, said to me. I nodded, not quite convinced. My dogs usually just wore theirs down. Never really was a problem I worried about, didn't think it was important and never gave it much thought. What did it really matter if their nails were a bit too long? After all my dogs' nails weren't grotesque like some of the pictures of overgrown nails on the Pet Pals, Inc. website, http://petpalsshelter.com/Babies.html
Not until Sadie, my lab mix, caught a toenail in the holes of the metal RV steps and ripped it painfully did I begin to rethink my heedless attitude towards my dogs' toenails. After all how hard could it be to trim a dog's nails? I had trimmed my horses' feet myself for years. I would just forcefully take a moment and do the job on my dogs' nails as I had done with my horses and that would be that.
Toenail trimming I discovered is not one of my dogs' favorite activities. In fact some of them will do everything including possibly letting me pull their legs off before allowing me to touch their precious toenails. It's harder to trim their toenails than put drops in their eyes or clean their ears. Carlton, my elderly adopted pug boy came with toenails that looked more like macaroni than regular toenails. He had probably never had toenails clipped in his life before he came to Pet Pals, and he became quite irate every time I tried to clip them. I was glad that most of his teeth were already missing as he snapped and tried to bite. "Baaad Mommy!", Linda chided me as she picked up Carlton and examined his nails curled almost back to the pads. "These old dogs have to be trimmed almost every week or I've seen them where the nails become embedded in the pads." He hated to be trimmed so badly and bled like a stuck pig whenever I nicked the quick that I had put off trimming him for a couple of months. Ok. So it wasn't as easy as trimming horses hooves after all. Why was that?
Approach is everything. It was because I didn't approach my dogs' feet the same way I approached my horses' foot trimming. I had been trying to trim my dogs feet while they laid on my lap or on the floor and I sneaked up on them and grabbed a foot and hung on. When trimming horses because of their strength to resist if they get spooked, I always let them examine the tools first, and then I rub it on their belly and legs harmlessly to discover that it's a great petting tool. Then I stand at their shoulder facing to their rear and run my hand down their foreleg push their weight off of it and ask for them to yield their foot to me with gentle squeezing pressure from my fingers so that I can pick it up and work on it Like this picture:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4576734_pick-up-horses-feet.html
I tried this same approach with my dogs' feet as I let them examine the tool, and feel it petting them first until they are calm. Next while allowing them to remain standing I asked for their foot with gentle pressure from my hand. Instead of drawing their foot forward in front of them I kept their foot bent to the back under the line of their elbow the same way a farrier does with horses' feet as they are trimmed. For the rear, the hind foot is drawn straight out behind the body, not to the side. Like the top picture of the farrier:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5503918_pick-up-horses-hoof.html
This allows the animal horse, or dog, to stand comfortably on three legs without being thrown off balance or feeling twisted. They can pull the leg back and forth like heck but as long as you've got their leg in this position you have the advantage and they can't really, kick hard since you're so close (in the case of horses), bite you or get away either.
If like me, age and overweight have gotten the best of you so you can no longer bend over, making reaching to the floor to pick up your dogs' feet a breathtaking experience, try standing your dog on a couch or table so the feet are closer to hand level. White or light nails are easier to see the quick in than black nails of course. Just trim to below the quick. If you do nick the quick and the dog is bleeding use a styptic pencil, cornstarch, or flour on the nail, place your dog in a crate, and allow them to rest quietly until the flow stops. You might have to apply the coagulant a time or two if you cut too deeply, as I did on Carlton a time or two, and the bleeding is profuse. Linda York likes using a Dremel rotary miniature sanding tool on nails as it cauterizes the quick as the nail is carefully ground down.
If you don't like my horsey technique for nail trimming here is a great vet school article detailing a more conventional method of trimming your dog's nails with some terrific pictures of how to judge where the quick is on black nails: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_claws.aspx
Happy Trimming!
by Dani Ellis
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Problem cat
Having a problem with your cat or your neighbor's? Perhaps we can help.
An awesome site to help wih kitties!
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Sleeping with your pet?
It may not be for everyone, but some people say that sleeping with their pet helps their psyche and improves their health, as the CBC's Theresa Lalonde reports.
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Donate
It is so, they are all God's children. Mother Teresa
YOU have made our work of love possible, THANK YOU!
Your donations at work:
Thursday more pets will receive veterinary care including JayJay, featured above, who landed back here three days ago. Also Bear, Australian Shepherd, who has been here since 2005. At almost 13 years old, he has had numerous health issues.
Click the above biscuit to help save a life, THANK YOU!
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Contact Information
phone: 307-532-3861
Pet Pals, Inc.
Spay/Neuter Drive
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Pet Pals, Inc Newsletter 
Now we've lost Beau, Jimmy and Johnny. "Oh how I wish that wasn't so." Missing simpler, kinder times. Make today a kinder day.